Summary
While there is no shortage of superhero video games for players to check out, there is always space for more. Specifically, theMarvel Ultimate Alliancefranchise deserves its time in the spotlight again. What was once a franchise that brought together some of Marvel’s most iconic heroes has seemingly faded into obscurity, but as the MCU forges ahead with its Multiverse Saga, it feels like the perfect time forMarvel Ultimate Allianceto make its grand return.
Across three titles, Marvel fans were brought on a pretty wild adventure that saw them take on some of comics' greatest villains as some of its most popular heroes. But, withthe release ofMarvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Orderback in 2019, the franchise has been put on the back burner. And as of now, it does not seem like there are any plans to ever bring it back. However, with the right developers, a fourthMarvel Ultimate Alliancegame may be exactly what superhero fans have been looking for.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance Should Not Be Forgotten
Marvel Ultimate Alliance Was a Fantastic Experience for Superhero Fans
TheMarvel Ultimate Allianceseries first began in 2006, two years beforethe Marvel Cinematic Universe would kick off withIron Man. Developed by Raven Software and published by Activision, players would take control of 23 different Marvel heroes as they fought back against Doctor Doom and the Masters of Evil as they attempted to conquer Earth. Not only did the story feel like a love letter to the comics, but the gameplay also proved extremely popular with players. And because of its success, Activision quickly got to work on another.
Sadly, the sequels failed to make the same impact that the original did.Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2would end up shifting developers to Vicarious Visions and released three years later to weaker reviews. While the brand-new story thatcombined elements fromSecret WarsandCivil Warwas praised, many critics found that the game was lacking compared to its predecessor. It was still a great game for fans of Marvel; however, it left some wanting more.
It would then take almost ten years forMarvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Orderto hit store shelves, and just like its predecessor, it failed to match the heights set by the original. The game ended up being published by Nintendo as a Switch exclusive and served as a reboot of sorts that sawmany of Marvel’s heroes take on Thanos. It ended up being a fun experience, yet it also did little to improve upon the formula, and ended up not being the massive hit some had thought it would be. And as of now, there is no news about whether there will ever be a follow-up.
A Marvel Ultimate Alliance 4 Feels Long Overdue
It currently feels like theMarvel Ultimate Allianceseries is once again in a state of limbo, with no indication whether a fourth one will ever be released. But, even if it comes in a smaller package, the franchise deserves to live on.Besides games likeLEGO Marvel Super Heroes, there are really no original Marvel titles that let fans take control of this many characters. Additionally, there are hardly any modern superhero action RPGs to begin with, which is why a developer really needs to capitalize on the potential.
TheMarvel Ultimate Allianceseries is unlike any ongoing superhero franchise, and as more superhero games focus on the action-adventure genre, it feels like the perfect time for something unique. As long as the right developer takes the reins, the fourth game could be something truly special. And thanks to the rise of the multiverse, it could even be the perfect way to pay tribute to Marvel’s video game past.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
WHERE TO PLAY
Assemble your ultimate team of Marvel Super Heroes. The MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE series returns for the first time in 10 years—with a new action RPG—exclusively on the Nintendo Switch™ system! Assemble your ultimate team of Marvel Super Heroes from a huge cast including the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the X-Men, and more! Team up with friends to prevent galactic devastation at the hands of the mad cosmic tyrant Thanos and his ruthless warmasters, The Black Order.In this new storyline, heroes and villains unite in a race across the Marvel Universe to find the Infinity Stones before Thanos and The Black Order use them to unleash cosmic chaos. From Avengers Tower to the X-Mansion and beyond, every stop on the dangerous quest to thwart Thanos results in unexpected collisions of fan-favorite characters and iconic locations. Get closer to the action by shifting the view to an over-the-shoulder “Heroic Camera” perspective—a series first that offers a more immersive way to play single-player or multiplayer on up to four systems.
