Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2

 Xbox 360
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 102 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 102
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 102
  3. Negative: 12 out of 102
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  1. Cinemachine
    Feb 17, 2013
    8
    I loved this game, it was just as good, if not better than the first. The story was great and the large roster of characters you could play as was awesome. Be for warned, if you pick it up now, it's a great game to play through, but if you are looking to fill those multiplayer achievements you are going to need a friend with the game because nobody is playing this on xbl anymore.
  2. AdamS
    Sep 16, 2009
    9
    MUA2 improves in so many ways! It tightens up the graphics, improves on the story (having to choose sides was harder than I thought it would be), and I think creates a better power upgrade system. In MUA1 I was always spending points on useless powers while waiting for the "real, higher level abilities". Now, in MUA2, it doesn't feel like there are any throw-away abilities. Each MUA2 improves in so many ways! It tightens up the graphics, improves on the story (having to choose sides was harder than I thought it would be), and I think creates a better power upgrade system. In MUA1 I was always spending points on useless powers while waiting for the "real, higher level abilities". Now, in MUA2, it doesn't feel like there are any throw-away abilities. Each ability tied to a character feels like something they might actually use in a fight. A few gripes include slowly unlocking characters as the game progresses. I felt like I couldn't really build the team that I really wanted to until about half-way through the game. My only other gripe is the replacement of "equipment" with medals/boosts for the whole team. I liked trying to find the right boost for each character in MUA1. Also, I'm hoping for some characters to be added via DLC, as well as more costumes (one alternate costume, really?) But gripes aside, this game improves in every way from the original. The combat is tighter, the fusions are fun to explore and execute, the camera is way better (usually), the graphics are finally up-to-snuff with HD gaming. I'd recommend this for anyone who's a comic fan or a top-down RPG-light fan!… Expand
  3. TomF
    Oct 1, 2009
    7
    All the parts that I wanted to get better from the first one didn't. And the parts that were good from the first one changed for the worse in the new one. It's extremely difficult to see your player on the screen in muliplayer, although you can get into the upgrade screen faster, you have to go in and out of each hero to upgrade, so it takes just as long to upgrade, boosts are All the parts that I wanted to get better from the first one didn't. And the parts that were good from the first one changed for the worse in the new one. It's extremely difficult to see your player on the screen in muliplayer, although you can get into the upgrade screen faster, you have to go in and out of each hero to upgrade, so it takes just as long to upgrade, boosts are confusing, cut scene graphics look like PS1, and the in game progess on the top is confusing. Nice selection of heros and the fusions are nice, but overall slightly less enjoyable than the first.… Expand
  4. TrevorB
    Oct 2, 2009
    7
    The game was a lot of fun to play, but it gets marks off for laggy multiplayer (this was a problem in UA1 too, you'd think they'd it right in the sequel but they didn't), a story that's not very compelling and just not very good compared to the first, and a menu system that is somewhat clunky. The fusion powers are an improvement, as are most of the boss fights The game was a lot of fun to play, but it gets marks off for laggy multiplayer (this was a problem in UA1 too, you'd think they'd it right in the sequel but they didn't), a story that's not very compelling and just not very good compared to the first, and a menu system that is somewhat clunky. The fusion powers are an improvement, as are most of the boss fights compared to UA1. Other than that, the game is just UA1 with better graphics (still nothing ground-breaking though), and some changes here and there to the mechanics.… Expand
  5. WesE
    Oct 8, 2009
    7
    Ultimate Alliance 2 feels more like a reboot than a true sequel. Many of the new features are tweaks or changes to the original formula instead of really adding to it. That being said, it IS a better game, just a different one. There were plenty of strange design choices like stripping characters down to only 4 powers and 1 alternate costumes or shrinking the roster, but the graphics, Ultimate Alliance 2 feels more like a reboot than a true sequel. Many of the new features are tweaks or changes to the original formula instead of really adding to it. That being said, it IS a better game, just a different one. There were plenty of strange design choices like stripping characters down to only 4 powers and 1 alternate costumes or shrinking the roster, but the graphics, gameplay, story, and overall polish of the game have been strengthened. You can upgrade your characters mid-fight in co-op without pausing, you can revive characters in the midst of battle, and the fusions work better than the specials in UA1. Still, it's a one-note beat 'em up. As a Marvel fan, I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. It's not a fantastic game by any stretch of the imagination, but it's certainly fun for the duration of the campaign, which I completed in about 7 hours. I wouldn't buy it, but it's an entertaining rental to say the least.… Expand
  6. RavenWolfx
    Sep 17, 2009
    8
    For the most part, this is a pretty sweet game. It is fun with multiple people, the fusions are cool, and the story is interesting. The downsides, though, are a bit annoying. There aren't nearly as many characters to choose from nor as many powers. The game developers focused too much on the fusions and let the individual's powers slide. Also, there aren't nearly as many For the most part, this is a pretty sweet game. It is fun with multiple people, the fusions are cool, and the story is interesting. The downsides, though, are a bit annoying. There aren't nearly as many characters to choose from nor as many powers. The game developers focused too much on the fusions and let the individual's powers slide. Also, there aren't nearly as many simulation discs or costumes to find or unlock, which is disappointing. Overall, the game is fun, but it could have been much better.… Expand
  7. SGRevan
    Nov 21, 2010
    7
    I never been a huge fan of Marvel, not because I dislike it... but because I never realy had put the time in getting to know it. I just watched some of the famous movies like X-Men, Spiderman and Fantastic Four. So, when I had to chance to get this game rather cheap I decided to give it a go...

    THE POSITIVE: - Great action and sometimes funny scenes. - Fun co-op for up to 4 players. -    I never been a huge fan of Marvel, not because I dislike it... but because I never realy had put the time in getting to know it. I just watched some of the famous movies like X-Men, Spiderman and Fantastic Four. So, when I had to chance to get this game rather cheap I decided to give it a go...

    THE POSITIVE:
    - Great action and sometimes funny scenes.
    - Fun co-op for up to 4 players.
    - Great power combinations between heroes make it all more fun to adjust and experiment in several situations and boss encounters.
    - Fun and interresting powers for each hero.

    THE NEGATIVE:
    - The graphics could've been better.
    - Lack of additional costumes for each hero. (only one each max.)
    - While it's fun to beat enemies down, it rather gets linear after awhile.
    - Camera issues, especially when playing co-op on one console.
    - Conversations with the characters doesn't realy have impact on the story.

    CLOSING COMMENT:
    Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is a fun game that will keep you busy for several hours, and if you like to collect stuff and willing to try hard mode it can double that time.    … Expand
  8. Watermelon789
    Jul 16, 2011
    7
    Too bad, it isn't as good as the last one . The combat is nothing , to disjointed and bad. While MUA isn't as great as the first, is fun ( bland) . In the graphical aspect isn't good, the cut scene downgraded for a cartoonish style, disappointing . The combat is equal and less better.
  9. CarsonRGB
    Oct 8, 2011
    6
    Story: 7
    Characters: 9
    Graphics: 6
    Setting: 6
    Multiplayer: 7
    Technical: 5
    Audio: 5
    Gameplay: 5
    Re-Playability Value: 7
    Fun Factor: 7

    Score: 6.4/10 = C
  10. thinktankak69
    Jul 20, 2012
    8
    Good game, solid gameplay, lots of things to unlock and keep you playing. I enjoyed the story, the plot was right down my ally. Worth a play if your into some mindless action, there is a lot to read in game if your interested in the lore as well.
  11. Kaprawiec
    Aug 10, 2016
    8
    I review this years after playing, so ill rate it for what I remember: fun beat'em up with set of great heroes from Marvel universe. A bit too repetitive but definitely worth checking out for fans of Marvel. Especially fun when played in co-op. Just like the M:UA 1.
  12. Adubis27
    Mar 20, 2018
    8
    8.6/10, this game isn't as good as I remember it being, but still good nonetheless. Marvel fans will be able to find enjoyment in this game.
  13. Rubiales
    Apr 15, 2020
    8
    As a real fan from Marvel i totally love this hame, is a dream come true, play with many different characters from the Marvel Universe and the possibility of doing combos between them is something special. Highly recommended game specially for superhero fans.
  14. ChrisS.
    Sep 24, 2009
    2
    A massive disappointment. While MUA1 was an expansive story that swept the whole Marvel Universe and history, this game focusses on a narrow of events in the past 2 years with fewer characters, fewer locations, fewer powers and fewer costumes. While the storyline of MUA1 may have been less coherent - it was FUN to play! This game starts off well but quickly degenerates into a repeatative A massive disappointment. While MUA1 was an expansive story that swept the whole Marvel Universe and history, this game focusses on a narrow of events in the past 2 years with fewer characters, fewer locations, fewer powers and fewer costumes. While the storyline of MUA1 may have been less coherent - it was FUN to play! This game starts off well but quickly degenerates into a repeatative beat 'em up with little difference between levels and bosses. Anyone expecting this story to follow Civil War is in for a let down - the plot goes off on a tangent halfway through and never recovers. And remember those jaw-dropping cinema quality CG cutscenes that had all us fans in raptures in MUA1? Well you wont find any in MUA2! Just more substandard computer animation you'll see in any other game. Sure it looks better during game play, but MUA2 is such a backward step in nearly every other regard that it's almost unforgivable!… Expand
  15. PatrykG
    Mar 20, 2013
    10
    This game is really special, because it's one of the few video-game sequels to beat the original.
    MUA2 is one of my favourite games of all time, the graphics are great, the story is the best thing about the game, it's boss battles are awesome and the characters are awesome. The fusion thing and the different outfits are awesome, the four powers each character can use. The soundtrack is    This game is really special, because it's one of the few video-game sequels to beat the original.
    MUA2 is one of my favourite games of all time, the graphics are great, the story is the best thing about the game, it's boss battles are awesome and the characters are awesome. The fusion thing and the different outfits are awesome, the four powers each character can use. The soundtrack is one of the best in a video-game. MUA2 is better than MUA1 and it gets 10/10.    … Expand
  16. HaroldD
    Sep 20, 2009
    3
    This game is both a massive disappointment and departure from what has made the series great. Activision unfortunately chose a new studio to continue this franchise and it shows. Gone is the ability to select your powers (each character only has four this time around), most of the RPG elements and the competitiveness that came from beating each other to the gold and items enemies drop This game is both a massive disappointment and departure from what has made the series great. Activision unfortunately chose a new studio to continue this franchise and it shows. Gone is the ability to select your powers (each character only has four this time around), most of the RPG elements and the competitiveness that came from beating each other to the gold and items enemies drop (half the fun of the originals IMO). Instead, there are more bugs, horrible live connectivity issues, still no drop in/out co-op, watered down characters, camera issues and a failure to expand the roster with interesting characters outside of Green Goblin. Characters like Iron Man and Jean Grey are really stripped down, and characters that were historical fun, such as Night Crawler, Magneto, Dr Strange, Spider-woman and Dr Doom don't make playable appearances. Sure, the graphics look better and its handy being able to allocate points without going into the pause menu, but what good is that if the core game is significantly weakened?… Expand
  17. BazBazzy
    Sep 29, 2009
    0
    2 Words to Sum Up This Game. System Exclusives. As an avid fan of the first game, I was really hoping they would drop this ridiculous idea in the sequel. Unfortunately I was wrong and I am sorely disappointed in the game developers in this choice. It feels like you're paying for only part of a game knowing that there are other characters out there that you could be using. One problem 2 Words to Sum Up This Game. System Exclusives. As an avid fan of the first game, I was really hoping they would drop this ridiculous idea in the sequel. Unfortunately I was wrong and I am sorely disappointed in the game developers in this choice. It feels like you're paying for only part of a game knowing that there are other characters out there that you could be using. One problem with this, is the fact that characters that were originally in the 360 version (Blade, Cyclops) are now only available on the PS2 or Wii. My ideal team would consist of Blade, Spiderman, Venom & Juggernaut. Now to create this team, I'd have to purchase the Wii or PS2 version and have pre-ordered the game. Neither the PS2 or Wii are systems I would want to play this game on for the controls or graphics. If you must buy this game, please buy it used, so that hopefully the developers will get the point, as any money you save will be worth it knowing you're missing out on all the game can offer. PS2, PSP, Wii - Blade, Cyclops, Psylocke Nintendo DS - Sentry, She-Hulk Xbox 360, PS3 - Iron Fist Pre-Order Only - Juggernaut As another note, that may seem a bit minor, to compensate the system exclusive characters, the PS3 and Xbox 360 are layered with plenty of other boss characters that you won't find in the other games. This is also disappointing as many people will miss out on lots of potential fun fights. Now you may be telling yourself, well this will come along later as DLC that I can pay for and receive all of the characters. If MUA1 was any tell in this, the only DLC that was released, were new original villain characters. The system exclusives stayed were never moved cross-system, so please don't hope this will be fixed unless it is actually announced by the developers. Another tell, is the X-Men Legend games, which had some of the same developers as this series of games, never did the system exclusives. If they do announce system exclusives are cross-system, I will be the first to hop on the MUA2 bandwagon, but until then, this is just a game that I cannot get behind. Besides the system exclusives this game is completely different from the first and loses a lot of it's charm. I'm sure you can get the information on the rest of the game itself better from other reviews, I just believe people need to be educated on this part of the game that you're buying.… Expand
  18. DragonCriticX
    Jan 17, 2012
    3
    Really nothing interesting here if you ask me. The gameplay is boring and stiff and got me tired very quickly, the environments look bland and there are few powers to use compared to the first game. This review is very short because i couldn't stomach myself to play even the second mission. In short there is nothing here to have a long interest in. There are way better super hero games out there.
  19. JasonG
    Oct 8, 2009
    9
    Despite its mixed reviews... I really love this game. I have been a fan of this series (X-Men Legends, X-Men Legends 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance), I found this game to be an improvement I nearly every way. It looks better, plays better and has a mostly great story (the last Act is a bit weak). The only real complaint I have is there are a lot of characters that would be great in this Despite its mixed reviews... I really love this game. I have been a fan of this series (X-Men Legends, X-Men Legends 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance), I found this game to be an improvement I nearly every way. It looks better, plays better and has a mostly great story (the last Act is a bit weak). The only real complaint I have is there are a lot of characters that would be great in this title. Some who were in the first one and I miss (Dr. Strange, Hawkeye, Magneto, and Ghost Rider) and some who would be new to the Marvel Ultimate Alliance series (Punisher, War Machine, Cable, Omega Red, Archangel, Vision, Scarlet Witch and Beast). And they should have kept the 4 costumes for each character like Ultimate Alliance had.… Expand
  20. Compi24
    Jun 25, 2013
    5
    Gone are the winsome characters and intriguing narrative elements. "Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2" ultimately sacrifices a wholesome gaming experience for better graphics and some gameplay gimmicks.
  21. H360
    May 16, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So while Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 may not take the series in a big and bold new direction, or benefit from the kind of refinement you would look for in a sequel, it does deliver the button-mashing, power-flinging, over-the-top action fans of the original would expect.… Expand
  22. SuperkenGaming
    Aug 7, 2016
    7
    Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
    Better and Worst at the same time
    Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is of course the sequel to the original that this time tells the story of the hero civil war. Youll get to a point early in the story where the government wants super humans to be registered and captain America is against this while iron man is for this.. This creates a rift within the superhero    Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
    Better and Worst at the same time
    Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is of course the sequel to the original that this time tells the story of the hero civil war.
    Youll get to a point early in the story where the government wants super humans to be registered and captain America is against this while iron man is for this..
    This creates a rift within the superhero world and you have to make a choice, the choice you make will lock off certain heroes that choose the opposite side and throughout the stories journey youll take on other heroes and villains that have joined the opposing side…
    I did find this story much more interesting and compelling than a simple bad guy trying to take over the world story we got in the original… but it ultimately felt kind of just there as did the rest of the game…
    The graphics and combat are miles better than they were in the original.. this time the game feels more like a hack and slash co op game than a dungeon crawler…
    Leveling up and collecting xp feels worthwhile this time as youll definitely notice a difference when you spend skill points and xp on moves and bonuses that every character earns simultaneously to allow swaps of the 30 possible different characters without worrying about their level or strength of moves…
    Speaking of swaps you can do them at anytime rather than having to wait for a save point…
    The special moves are also much more impactful to the gameplay this time around as I feel everyone will have their own favorite character based on boosts and attacks they have, so much so that my favorite character from the original fell to the wayside as characters felt more customizable and mine with the skill spending depth…
    Theres also a new fusion system which is triggered by filling a bar from simple or special combat where 2 characters team up to do a super powerful move that can reward you with a health drop if you pull off its challenge which can really come in handy during close boss fights… But the better in this game unfortunately ends there…
    This fusion move for starters has a horrible bug where 2 characters will run at eachother face to face completely wasting such a valuable moment…
    And the stars seem like they fill fast until you find yourself actively trying to fill them… it can be a huge bummer to try and pull off a saving grace when your characters are about to die and its wasted because of a game bug…
    The depth the original had is also missing here…
    There is just no charm, feeling more like a cash grab than a love letter…
    There was so much for the fans in the first game, while here everything feels generic, from unlockables to level design…
    Theres nothing special at all…
    The story progression is just atrocious… and the boss battles lack variety completely where they all.. every last single one of them feels exactly the same…
    In fact theyre really just regular enemies with ranged attacks and larger health bars…
    There are no real wow moments here…
    The original felt like a real standalone game, while ultimate alliance 2 felt like just an above average tie in game…
    That’s not to say this game is bad…
    It’s fun, but nowhere near worth your times as much as the first one was…
    Ultimate alliance 2 is half the length, about 8 hours, but due to the lack of charms feels twice as long
    I Give Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
    a 7/10    … Expand
  23. AgentVenom117
    Feb 22, 2016
    7
    If you want my thoughts on this game read my ultimate alliance 1 review since this is the sequel to the first ultimate alliance and it pretty much is a copy of the first game but with better graphics and fusion moves that are basically team up moves,it's good but not great buy it if you have spare cash.
  24. BatSasha52
    Aug 1, 2021
    10
    One of the best childhood games. The costume designs are also very good. Cinematic level.
  25. CloudStrife05
    Aug 20, 2021
    7
    Fun game before the MCU took over the world. Nothing major about it. It is a cut, clear and straight to the point.
  26. Spicyphoenix813
    Nov 15, 2021
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bosses are too OP and this comes from someone who played the OG X-men legends on a ps2. They can combine stuns, knockbacks or popups, then follow up immediately with combos, and they already hit hard enough as it is. While we as the player, have no stun or immobile effect on the boss whatsoever, (kind of understandable) we can’t even interrupt the animation of their super moves with our powers. They don’t flinch, they don’t act as though they’re being hit, nothing. Just the red numbers above their heads indicating they are in fact taking damage. Just a little more immersion is all I’m asking. It’s also frustrating the amount of damage they can do while we’re helplessly on the ground, their attack speed is through the roof, and we’re ever so slowly gaining our composure to get up. Then when we ARE up, we get hit again and we die. The bugs. This is the biggest problem I, and so many others on SOO many forums are having. I’m on a One S, which is pretty high quality for high performance running, download and upload speed, and especially fps. I get stuck on levels where I’m supposed to be interrupted by someone, but I face an endless horde of robots spawning from a platform. A character stops speaking and the screen stops on their face. I can only pause it, but the character doesn’t “freeze up” or anything, the camera just stays put on them forever. No options for dialogue, nothing. Much more revision should’ve been done on this game with many many more playthroughs, to ensure things like this aren’t rubbed off as “console performance” as it’s been falsely debunked as before. Sometimes it’s the game itself. Just something to think about before you download as it is a fun story, but the mechanics are incredibly frustrating at times when the aim is to have fun.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2009
37
#37 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2009
30
#30 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 75 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 75
  3. Negative: 0 out of 75
  1. GamingTrend
    88
    One could sum up my issues with Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 by the liberties that were taken with both the story and the characters. It's the only thing in my mind that keeps the game from being truly great, because the gameplay mechanics and leveling system are really top-notch.
    Read full review
  2. 1UP
    67
    But ultimately, even though a lot of things about MUA2 aggravate me, the moment-to-moment gameplay of superheroes beating the crap out of robots/mutants/soldiers with fists, mystical hammers, repulsor rays, giant tongues, and what-have-you feels solid and enjoyable.
    Read full review
  3. GameZone
    85
    While the combat is a bit too much on the button mashing side, the RPG elements are solidly implemented and the different stories make for a branching experience that hardcore Marvel fans should check out.
    Read full review
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