
Team Ninja/Nintendo Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
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Pros & Cons
What We Love
- Huge roster of beloved Marvel characters to play as
- Satisfying cooperative gameplay for up to 4 players
- Deep character progression and customization options
- Fluid combat system with spectacular special moves
- Strong presentation of Marvel universe and characters
Areas for Improvement
- Performance issues during busy combat sequences
Our Review
The game's presentation effectively captures Marvel's signature style through cel-shaded visuals and dramatic combat effects. Character models are detailed and distinctive, though environmental designs can feel repetitive across levels. The combat system builds on the series' foundations with light and heavy attacks, special abilities, and team-up moves. Team Ninja's influence shows in the more fluid combat animations and expanded combo potential compared to previous entries.
Performance on the Switch holds steady in solo play but can struggle during chaotic multiplayer battles, especially in handheld mode. Frame rates occasionally dip when multiple heroes unleash special moves simultaneously. The camera system also proves problematic, sometimes getting stuck behind objects or providing awkward angles during intense combat sequences.
The progression system offers meaningful character development through an ISO-8 modification system and skill trees, though grinding is required to fully power up your roster. The interface cleanly presents important information but navigating menus and managing team loadouts could be more streamlined. Online multiplayer implementation is functional but basic, lacking features like drop-in/drop-out functionality.
The game provides good value with its extensive roster of over 30 playable characters, though the core gameplay loop remains relatively unchanged throughout the campaign. Additional free and paid DLC expanded the content offering post-launch, but the base game's repetitive mission structure and limited enemy variety can lead to fatigue during extended play sessions.
Our Conclusion
🏁Final Verdict
Good ChoiceMarvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order marks a successful return for the superhero action-RPG series after a decade-long hiatus. Team Ninja has crafted an entertaining cooperative brawler that captures the spirit of Marvel's universe while modernizing the gameplay. Though it suffers from some technical issues and repetitive elements, the game delivers an enjoyable experience that shines brightest when played with friends.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 successfully modernizes the series' formula while maintaining what fans loved about previous entries. Despite technical limitations and some repetitive elements, the core gameplay loop remains engaging, especially in cooperative play. The extensive character roster and progression systems provide plenty of content for Marvel fans to explore, even if the overall package falls short of revolutionary status.
Buying Guide
Key Considerations
- •TV vs handheld play performance differences
- •Storage space for post-launch content
- •Online connection quality for multiplayer
- •Controller options for local co-op
Best For
- •Marvel Comics and MCU fans seeking an authentic experience
- •Players who enjoy cooperative action games
- •Fans of character collection and progression systems
- •Casual gamers looking for pick-up-and-play action
Skip If
- •You prefer solo gaming experiences
- •You're sensitive to frame rate fluctuations
- •You dislike grinding for character progression
- •You want a deep, story-driven narrative