Wireframe – Issue 20, 2019

wfmag.cc \ 63

Review

Rated

Review

Keep on mashing the A button? I can do this all day

arvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is the

latest title hoping to keep

the comic (and movie) giant’s

output on top, following last

year’s Spider-Man for PS4 and

the continuing successes of the Lego tie-ins.

Opting for the satisfyingly simple (yet addictive)

template of classic beat-‘em-ups, MUA3 doesn’t

throw out the rule book of Raven Software’s

2006 original. Rather, new developer Team

Ninja does well to replicate the button-mashing

gratification of prior entries – and it still sees you

guide a four-man superhero squad through a

gauntlet of colourful stages and bosses.

The difference this time is a much greater

emphasis on upgrading. Rather than just

unlocking new moves as your favourite

members of the X-Men, Inhumans, and Avengers,

you’re also constantly locking in buffs used

to boost these various attributes further.

From collectable compounds called ISO-8s that

make characters stronger to the Lab which

enhances the performance of your whole team,

it’s micromanagement to a ridiculous degree – yet

worth it for when you feel its effects during battle.

Speaking of battles, MUA3 features the same

mix of switching between heroes, using their

unique powers and having them combine as

before. Now, however, doing the latter is highly

encouraged thanks to the new Synergy Attack

system. Ever wanted to know how Miles Morales’

venom strike would work in tandem with Cap’s

shield throw? Then engage a combo to perform

a synergy attack and break down an enemy’s

stagger meter.

In terms of levels, it’ll please comic book

aficionados to know that almost every corner

of the Marvel universe has been catered for.

After all, the basic story sees you on the hunt

for the infinity stones that have been scattered

around, giving you good cause to venture through

such beloved locations as Asgard, Avengers

Tower, and even New York’s Shadowland.

All this you do as your ideal line-up from a

roster of 36 Marvel superheroes is unlocked

at a regular pace throughout the campaign.

Of course, sporadically dishing out team

members means many will stay weaker than

those in constant use, but replaying levels works

fine to better power up any early additions. This is

the type of game where grinding is just as thrilling

as reaching the next cutscene.

Unfortunately, a couple of small niggles haven’t

been done away with in the franchise’s decade

away, the biggest culprit being the camera.

From getting caught in the environment to not

giving me sight of my squad, so many times was

I constantly battling it alongside the enemies.

Then there’s the case of the block button being

the same used to dodge, but it’s less of a pest.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is a rambunctious

return for the cult classic series, and takes an “If it

ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to the formula

in some areas while deepening it in others.

Despite some flaws, this is a welcome celebration

of the Marvel universe worth wasting hours in.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3:

The Black Order

M

VERDICT

Keeping it simple has

always been satisfying,

and it’s still true in this

long-awaited sequel.

68 %

GENRE

Action RPG

FORMAT

Switch (tested)

DEVELOPER

Team Ninja

PUBLISHER

Nintendo

PRICE

£49.99

RELEASE

Out now

Info

Review

Rated

REVIEWED BY

Aaron Potter

HIGHLIGHT

Look around certain levels

hard enough and you’ll come

across what are known as

Infinity Rifts – better explained

as optional side challenges

with specific completion

requirements. Beating them is

the only way to unlock four new

playable characters, as well as

unlockable costumes for the

entire Marvel roster.