Marvel Ultimate Alliance Updated Preview

By Ricardo Torres, GameSpotPosted Oct 20, 2006 3:33 pm PT

We get another look at the PlayStation 3 version of Activision and Raven's hero team-up.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is Activision and developer Raven Software's upcoming action role-playing game that puts you in the tights of one of more than 20 characters from Marvel Comics' vast universe of heroes. The game continues the work Raven began in the X-Men Legends titles and sets you loose on an epic adventure that spans the four corners of the universe. We had the chance to get another look at how the game is faring on Sony's upcoming console and to try out its unique features on the platform.

As far as content goes, MUA is identical to the Xbox 360 version of the game and features the same core adventure, complete with bonus comic missions for some extra street cred with Marvel fans. The roster of heroes will offer a good sampling of the Marvel staples along with some lesser-known heroes whose popularity has been on the rise in the wake of Marvel's most excellent Civil War miniseries. For a deeper rundown of the game and its features, check out our previous look at MUA.

At Sony's press event in San Francisco, we were able to spend some more time with the PlayStation 3 game and take a look at the unique features it will have. The big areas for PS3-specific features are the graphics and the control. The graphics in the game have been buffed up to take advantage of the system's capabilities and offer detailed visuals that can be displayed at 1080p. The work-in-progress version of the game on display offered up some razor-sharp visuals on the nifty HD monitors it was running on. The game's frame rate wasn't as consistent as we would have liked, but we're hoping it can be smoothed out in time for the game's release.

MUA has the same core mechanics as the other console versions on the PS3, but it adds in some Sixaxis functionality as well. You'll be able to throw characters after grabbing them and trigger special abilities by physically moving the controller in different directions. The feature doesn't drastically change how the game controls, but it does offer a different way to kick butt.

Based on what we played, Marvel Ultimate Alliance is looking like a solid game for the PlayStation 3. The game offers an accessible gameplay experience with quite a bit of appeal. Although it would have been great to see more features unique to the PS3 game, the included support for 1080p and the Sixaxis are better than a dirty port. If you're a comic fan or are just looking for a solid multiplayer game for your PS3 at launch, you'll want to keep an eye out for Marvel Ultimate Alliance when the game ships alongside the system this November.

37 Comments

  • lamplan

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 6:54 am PT

    the xbox trolls can stick their funda-mental rumbling controllers in their pants. My gosh who cares?

  • vu12345678

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 12:02 am PT

    yay for 1080p nay for no added content. lazy port? probably so. Ths ps3 launch titles look bad except for resistance. but then the launch titles for the 360 and the wii aren't too impressive either. Zelda doesn't count though since its not really wii exclusive but i know it'll be great anyway. And about the wii.... The controler is innovative I'll give it that but since it's just going to be launch, none of the games are using it innovatively. Most games are using it as a substitute button. You should be able to do things you could never be able to do on a standard controller. You should be able to swing your sword any way you like and the character on screen should do it too not some pre-determined move. But developers are just tapping into it so hopefully the innovative games will come soon. So to those commenting about the wii taking it to a whole new level, you're partially right. The hardware is there, but software has a ways to go cuz as of now, its still the "same old same old gameplay" just controlled a little differently.

  • RahKayne

    Posted Nov 13, 2006 9:40 pm PT

    You're thinking the wrong way

    It's because PS3 IS JUST COMING OUT, and devs have not tapped into yet, is the reason why slowdown occurs

  • bob_newman

    Posted Nov 9, 2006 1:00 pm PT

    Can the PS3's motherboard/graphics card even use all of the memory that blu-ray discs can hold?

    The Gamespot reviewer even said that the frame rate went down, and this is just a launch game. Graphics are only going to get better over the next few years, and if the frame rate is already an issue, then what is the future going to hold for the PS3? Are they ready for next-gen?

    Nintendo knows better than that, and instead of going next-gen, they took it in an innovative direction, something that needed to be done because people are getting tired of the same old-same old. Is it any wonder why the video game world has such a small demographic?

    Nintendo has decided to attempt to branch out to every kind of person, making games for people of all ages. A good example of how a game can be successful without the typical gamer community is The Sims.

    The Sims had almost as many female gamers as it did male, and in turn made it one of the most successful and highest grossing franchises in video game history.

    Not only single men like to play games, unfortunately the industry has targeted them for at least the past 5 years. This doesn't mean that you guys won't get your first person shooters, or your massive multiplayer online role-playing games.

    Hopefully though, Nintendo will have more success with the Wii than they did with the Gamecube.

  • phicon013

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 8:17 pm PT

    Still even if the 360 supports 1080p they only use DVD (for games) which isn't even triple the amount of storage the Blu-Ray can handle so expect to see more detailed 1080p graphics on the PS3.

  • Owen_Waffle

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 2:31 pm PT

    Dude they have already updated the 360 to support 1080p

  • staffer32

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 10:49 am PT

    1080p.... I think Microsoft had already thought about it. They just decided that the difference between 1080p and 1080i wasn't enough to make them wait to release their console until this year instead of last. The fact that they were easily able to make changes to the system through xbox live, makes me believe that they know what they are doing and I would not be surprised if in a year or two they decide to make the system to be able to play games in 1080p as well.

  • Coolio_Poolio

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 7:27 pm PT

    im defiantly getting it i looks like an awsome game!!

  • Rhonin732

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 5:12 pm PT

    Hello what about the game on the Wii, so what if the PS3 and xbox360 have good graphics and all. But when it comes to gamplay the Wii is #1 no competion i mean just look at the trailers on GAmespot.

  • Rhonin732

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 5:12 pm PT

    Hello what about the game on the Wii, so what if the PS3 and xbox360 have good graphics and all. But when it comes to gamplay the Wii is #1 no competion i mean just look at the trailers on GAmespot.

  • philiptindall

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 8:03 am PT

    Don't quite understand why people are getting theyr'e knickers in a twist.

    So what if the Xbox 360 version is 'marginally' better than the PS3 version? Does the fundementals about the game change. No.

    If you have both consoles then fine buy the game you think it's best on, but if you've only got one of either consoles just buy the fricking game and play it.

    Stop being so insecure about your version, find a bridge and 'get over it'.

    Most games are multiformat these days with 'exclusives' meaning jack s***
    so it is inevitable that somes games are going to be marginally better on one console than the other, this wil switch between the ps3 & 360 and will continue to do so.

    All the developers have stated both are about the same bar small differences it's nothing to get your knickers in a twist about.

    so instead of feeling insecure about your console purchase and spending time bad mouthing the competitors, your wasting time you could be playing your supposed superior console, does that makes sense. No... It's like the old 'chewbacca defense' sketch from South Park.


    Having played and finished Marvel Ultimate Alliance now, it's an ok game. Nothing revolutionary, nothing astounding. The story may aswell not be there as you simply skip past the crappy narative and dialogue sections anyway. It's old fashioned arcade button masher that's enjoyable nonsense, just like a summer blockbuster movie..

    Regardless of what format it's on......

  • RahKayne

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 9:52 pm PT

    The Xbox 360 version features Vibration in the controller. This is a fundamental feature that is missing from the Playstation 3 version.

    The online features of the Xbox 360 version are excellent, and the framerates always remain very smooth and consistent. It is a shame that the framerates of the Playstation 3 version are not consistent.

    Also, now that the Fall 2006 Update has been released, the Xbox 360 version of the game now runs in 1080p resolution. It is very important to consider these facts when analyzing a game for preview.

    I have already purchased this game for the Xbox 360, and I am glad I did. There is no need to wait for any of the other versions. When you consider all of the factors, the Xbox 360 version is the best. My friends and I get online to play this game every night. We are really looking forward to the game that is currently called Mavel Universe Online, which is a console exclusive for the Xbox 360!

    Marvel Universe Online is a massively multiplayer online game that will allow Xbox 360 users to select characters and play online in amazing ways thanks to Xbox Live!

    1- vibration is not vital (let alone it lowers the life of you controller compared to the same controller but without vibration)

    2- PS3 is new and is not easy to program for as of right now. Let alone 360 is a year old. I'm sure in a year PS3 will get moving. Saying not to get it, or ta game for it is not wise.

    3- Why are you in the PS3 launch, go play your game on the 360 if you love it so much.

  • miiiguel

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 8:42 am PT

    TONELOKES: Chill man, you seem upset, enjoy your PS3 (eventually..., how many release dates have u PS-only players had so far ?), and the all-console players are having fun with MUA... now!

  • miiiguel

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 8:38 am PT

    mark_unix: tyhe thing is... howmanyh people has a 1080p TV ? Most of console players sont even have a decent flat screen to play on, they play on the kitchens TV.
    gamesare4me: it's just you, but u don't evem own a 360...

  • TONELOKES

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:01 pm PT

    WELL THE 360 COPIED THE PS3 IN WAYS OF THE 1080p RESOLUTION. IF THE GAMES LOOK SO GREAT ON THE 360 WHY DID U GUYS NEED THE 1080p RESOLUTION? I SAY THE 360 COPIED THE PS3. MICROSOFT SAW THAT SONY WAS THINKIN AHEAD AND THEY HAD TO COPY THEM THEY ALSO COPIED SONY WITH THE FIRST XBOX. THEY STOLE PS2'S CD AND DVD OPTICAL DRIVES FOR GAMING.THEN THEY STOLE PS2'S FUNCTION FOR DVD PLAYBACK. MICROSOFT JUS COPIES SO NOW SONY IS STRIKING BACK WITH THEM BORROWING IDEAS FROM THEM.

  • Game_Analyst

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:42 am PT

    The Xbox 360 version features Vibration in the controller. This is a fundamental feature that is missing from the Playstation 3 version.

    The online features of the Xbox 360 version are excellent, and the framerates always remain very smooth and consistent. It is a shame that the framerates of the Playstation 3 version are not consistent.

    Also, now that the Fall 2006 Update has been released, the Xbox 360 version of the game now runs in 1080p resolution. It is very important to consider these facts when analyzing a game for preview.

    I have already purchased this game for the Xbox 360, and I am glad I did. There is no need to wait for any of the other versions. When you consider all of the factors, the Xbox 360 version is the best. My friends and I get online to play this game every night. We are really looking forward to the game that is currently called Mavel Universe Online, which is a console exclusive for the Xbox 360!

    Marvel Universe Online is a massively multiplayer online game that will allow Xbox 360 users to select characters and play online in amazing ways thanks to Xbox Live!

  • gamesare4me

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:32 am PT

    looks like a suped up version of x-men legends with more characters and a different title. anyone else who owns a 360 have it sitting around collecting dust or is it just me??

  • MA22T1337

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 9:01 am PT

    aite aite

  • _Sam_

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 5:12 pm PT

    I think it's looking decent

  • Aang007

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 8:49 pm PT

    you know what i can never decide if i like rpg's or not.

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