Synopsis
A trailer released at E3 shows a military operation originating in Latveria, home of master villain Doctor Doom. "The story starts with Secret War. We're using Nick Fury's invasion of Latveria as a jumping off point. The rest of the story is derived from the consequences of those actions," states Dan Tanguay, creative director for Vicarious Visions.
The game then follows the Civil War story arc: a fight between heroes and villains causes an explosion in Stamford, Connecticut, killing 612 civilians (including a number of school children). The government labels the incident "super powered negligence", and the public demand a Superhuman Registration Act. The government passes the act, and all meta-humans are forced to adhere to or disobey the law. In the game, players are able to choose between the Pro-Registration side, headed by Iron Man and Mister Fantastic, or the Anti-Registration side, headed by Captain America and Luke Cage. Several other characters are 'locked' into a specific side.
Songbird is locked to the Pro-Registration side for the Vicarious Visions (PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One and PC) versions, with Ms. Marvel and Thor locked to the Pro-Registration side for the n-space (PS2, PSP and Wii) versions. Iron Fist is locked to the Anti-Registration side for the Vicarious Visions (PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One and PC) versions, with Daredevil and Storm locked to the Anti-Registration side for the n-space (PS2, PSP and Wii) versions. These ten characters are locked into their specific side, but the others are playable on either side of the conflict. Multiple endings are available, and are determined by the side chosen at the beginning of the game. Tanguay stated that the story follows into the aftermath of the Civil War.
Plot
The game begins one year prior to the main Civil War story arc. Colonel Nick Fury is leading a team comprising Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, and Wolverine in addition to several other superheroes on an unsanctioned attack on Castle Doom in Latveria after discovering that the elected prime minister Lucia von Bardas was supplying weapons to the Tinkerer, who in turn supplies them to super villains. In a flashback, the President is adamant against the attack as Von Bardas has been establishing friendly ties with them. The attack is successful. After the defeats of Electro, Scorcher, Wizard, and Tinkerer's Tank-Bot, Castle Doom is reduced to rubble, with Von Bardas assumed dead.
The scene then shifts to present day. Ms. Marvel is reported missing after being sent to recover intel on suspicious criminal activity. A team is sent to investigate and find her being interrogated by Shocker. They then uncover a plot by the Latverian military, led by a cyborg Von Bardas and several subordinate supervillains like Diamondback, Scorcher, Shocker, and Wizard, to destroy New York City. The group thwarts Von Bardas' plan, but many city blocks are destroyed in the process, prompting the government to consider the Superhuman Registration Act (or SRA for short). In light of this incident, Fury disappears and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill is sworn in as the new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
During the discussion of the SRA, Titanium Man attacks Washington DC. Deadpool helps the heroes fight him while rescuing Senator Lieber and another senator that was captured by Titanium Man.
Three days later during a telecast of The New Warriors, Nitro creates a large explosion in Stamford, Connecticut killing over 600 civilians in the process, prompting the immediate implementation of the SRA. Opposing the act, Captain America goes underground, along with several other superheroes and S.H.I.E.L.D agents (who have formed a group called "The White Star"). At this point, the story branches into two segments; Anti-Registration led by Captain America, Luke Cage and Iron Fist; and Pro-Registration led by Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, and Songbird, depending on the player's choice. In order to aid them, the Pro-Registration group develops nanite technology and use it to mind control supervillains like Lady Deathstrike, Bullseye, Green Goblin, and Venom, increasing their ranks.
The two story arcs converge when Iron Man fakes a hostage situation at a chemical plant owned by Stark Industries. There, he attempts to negotiate with Captain America, promising amnesty. Captain America refuses thanks to a trick and a battle ensues between the two factions. While the pro-registration heroes fight Firestar, Patriot, Colossus, Dagger, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Captain America, the anti-registration heroes fight Bullseye, Wonder Man, She-Hulk, Molten Man, War Machine, Mister Fantastic and Iron Man. The nanite-controlled Bullseye, Green Goblin, Lady Deathstrike, and Venom go haywire and attack the agents they were programmed to help, stealing explosives to destroy the facility. Disguised as one of the agents, Fury enlists the help of the group to fend off Venom and Green Goblin while he disarms the bombs. He is thwarted by Venom as he tries to disarm the final one. The ensuing explosion wounds many superheroes whom Fury rescues. The group learns that the Fury they saw was one of his androids. He manages to acquire Tinkerer's help in discovering the cause of the malfunction.
After gaining the assistance of Penance at Ryker's Island, the group is then sent to Prison 42 in the Negative Zone where the rebel superheroes and supervillains that have been captured are held, to get a sample of the nanite formula. They collect the samples and Fury activates the self-destruct system to prevent the spread of nanites. Most of the superheroes involved escape, but Fury's fate is unknown. A memorial is held for Fury and the other missing or presumed deceased superheroes.
