Avengers Assemble! Oh they aren’t available? Well someone call the Fantastic 4, or even maybe the X-Men. Well if all else fails call the Crazy Super Adventure Justice Team Force. What do you mean they don’t exist? Oh it’s my own personal team in case I forgot to mention it. There is no limit to the amount of superheroes in the Marvel universe and the teams that come out of it. Well what would happen if you, like me, could make your own team of these epic heroes? It is a question which has fueled many a battle between friends and has broken families. Well comic fans, your time has come. Building off the massive success of the X-Men Legends series Raven Studios presents Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

Well it all started as I wandered past Activision’s booth at E3 on Thursday hoping to see that the legendary Stan Lee had returned. Alas he had gone by the time I arrived but I stood in line anyway sensing I might be able to catch a glimpse of X3: The Official Game. Well turns out I was wrong but it was the happiest mistake I’ve made in some time!

After a decent wait I was ushered into a booth with about 15 others. The door closed, the massive PS3 development kit switched on, and finally the character select screen flickered to life. All of a sudden I could see Captain America, Wolverine, Blade, Thor, Dr. Strange, Thing, Ghost Rider, and of course my friendly neighborhood Spiderman! All in all there will be about 20 playable characters from counting the blank spaces on screen.

The demo team sent Ghost Rider, Cap, Spidey, and Thing into action as S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ was under attack. The team worked very well in action and we were able to see some of the powers in action. First Spidey hung a baddie from the ceiling (even though they were outside) in a web sack. Second Cap threw his shield while the demo team was able to control its path via the control stick. Then Ghost Rider latched onto another enemy with his chain and slammed him against the ground. Finally the Thing felt that it might be a time in which to clobber as he threw a massive rocky uppercut at a final foe. The special powers are remarkably satisfying and faithful to all characters involved.

After a few minutes we were back at the character select screen where a new team is selected. As the new team is selected, producer Chris Palmisano takes time to tell us a bit about the story. Dr. Doom has summoned the Masters of Evil and they are well, being evil. It’s up to the world’s greatest heroes to stop them. As we turn back to the screen Dr. Strange and Blade replace Thing and Ghost Rider. We then go under the sea for a visit to Atlantis where war is a brewin’. Again we pause as we are told about the new choice system. Simply put the choices you make such as whether or not to intervene in the Atlantian conflict will have great effect on the Marvel Universe and earn you a unique ending thus increasing replay value exponentially.

Speaking of replay you will want to get a turn in with all the characters because of the planned unlockable content. A character will change as you unlock upgrades in the form of alternate costumes (think cap’s original outfit or spideys symbiote suit). Also what sounds really exciting is the unlockable missions. Just like the past adventures included in Legends you are able to play some of the greatest adventures already in comic form.

This time around multiplayer is co-op and competitive. During the missions themselves the player who plays the most efficiently and has the most kills will be considered the winner or take a battle into the past legendary adventures where your buddy can control the villains themselves.

With Alliance launching right before the holiday season, over 100 Marvel characters in game, 20 playable heroes, release on all consoles, and even Wii exclusive control elements how could you not write your own history in the pages of the Marvel universe?