Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (PS3)

Region free, full English language, will play on any PS3 console system

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is an all-new action/RPG where players create their Marvel dream team from the largest roster of Super Heroes ever in an epic quest that will determine the fate of Earth and the Marvel universe. For decades, Earth`s Super Heroes have opposed evil in their own cities, and on their own terms. But now, Dr. Doom and a newly reformed Masters of Evil the greatest collection of Super Villains ever assembled have plans for world domination, and the heroes must band together to defeat them. Playing as some of the most revered Marvel characters, gamers will embark on a dangerous journey across exotic terrain and well-known comic book locations like Atlantis, the Shield Heli-Carrier and the Skrull home world in an attempt to defy the world`s most notorious Super Villains. Created by Raven Software, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance lets players control the most powerful Super Hero alliance the world has ever known.

• Create...Marvel...Dream...Team!!! Experience the full scale of the Marvel universe with a combined cast of over 140 popular comic book characters. Players create, customize and control their ultimate four-person strike team, selecting from an initial roster of 20 playable Super Heroes, including Spider-Man, Wolverine,
• The Thing, Captain America, Elektra and Thor and battle notorious Super Villains including Dr. Doom, Galactus and countless others.
• Deep, Rich, Customizable Marvel: Ultimate Alliance offers gamers total team customization. Players can form their favorite Marvel dream team, create their own team name, team icon, team vehicle and establish a team reputation as they play through an original storyline hand crafted by renowned game developer
• Raven Software and Marvel`s own C.B. Cebulski. Additionally, players have more control over leveling up each tea

In a nutshell:
X-Men Legends expands into the whole of the Marvel universe with a game featuring more heroes, villains and superhero brawls than a hundred mighty Marvel crossovers.

The lowdown:
It was hardly the deepest action role-player around, but with X-Men Legends, developer Raven found the perfect balance for most comic book fans, between simple action and an expectedly convoluted storyline featuring as many characters as possible. This is basically the same game turned up to 11, as you initially take control of Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man and Wolverine in a battle against Dr Doom and his newfound allies. The graphics are perhaps not quite as detailed as they could be but the scope of the story and the variety of the settings more than makes up for it. Considering how much the game packs in there’s few Marvel diehards that will be disappointed by this.

Most exciting moment:
Although the game works perfectly well on your own it’s really at its best when playing with friends. Depending on the system, you get both online and four-player options, with each player controlling a hero. Many of the superpowers can be combined into a single special move making team work a must (until there’s a fight over a health power-up anyway).

Since you ask:
Although all the obvious heroes are included as playable characters some of the more obscure unlockables include Black Panther, Daredevil, Nick Fury and Silver Surfer. There’s also four exclusive characters for the PSP version (including Captain Marvel and Hawkeye) and more for the Xbox 360 such as Colossus and Moon Knight.

The bottom line:
The ultimate celebration of the Marvel universe in interactive form.-HARRISON DENT