21:31
Sam Marshall
So just where do you start with a game like Mortal Kombat? A legend, a true gaming colossus, up there as one of the great gaming series’ alongside classics like Sonic, Mario, Zelda and modern hits like Call of Duty. The series has spawned a multitude of sequels, movies, catchphrases, memorable characters and has undergone more attempted rebirths than Britney Spears’ career. But can this offering truly revitalise the series once and for all? Well, ‘get over here!’ and you’ll find out, but be careful, it’s about to get messy!
Ok, don’t be fooled, this may look on first appearance as another attempt to bring the series back to life, but in actuality, it’s bringing the original MK experience straight into the modern world. It brings the full, canonical Mortal Kombat storyline into one neat little, blood soaked package. Opening up with the final events of MK: Armageddon, Raiden is receiving visions throughout the game and must prevent said Armageddon. You then return to the start of the first game’s story and work your way through to the conclusion. The whole affair is well told and doesn’t detract from the fighting, even if it is a bit cheesy. But who cares right? It’s Mortal Kombat! The majority of the series’ characters return, looking better than they ever have done before. The gameplay is still in the traditional two dimensional view and the kombat is returned to its original glory. For new players such as myself this can be somewhat of a drawback however: Kombos require much faster button pressing than other fighting games I’ve played, and remembering each characters’ move list is some feat. However, once you get used to it, you’ll be spilling blood like there’s no tomorrow. Some have criticised the extreme difficulty of the game, however, I believe this gives it some replayability. Bosses are meant to be so frustrating that you want to cut your testes off with a rusty razor. It provides a challenge! In any case, to counter the difficult nature of the game, the story mode has an adaptive difficulty, by which each fight becomes slightly easier until you can win. At the same time, blast through an opponent first time and the next fight won’t be so easy.
By far the most impressive and exciting improvement to the kombat is the introduction of the super meter and, by extension, the X-Ray attacks; adding a tap of the right-trigger to a character’s normal special will beef it up to ultra levels! When two bars are filled you will be able to perform a breaker to counter your opponent with extreme prejudice. Fill all 3 bars of the super meter and you can unleash a (quite literally) bone destroying attack on your opponent in slow motion, causing massive damage. Used properly, it can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The result is satisfyingly brutal too. Fatalities have been revamped and that can only mean good things. The super meter is, rather cleverly, charged by being rather poor in a particular fight; taking damage and having your attacks blocked fill it, allowing you to turn a battle on its head.
Another great improvement is the addition of tag-team fighting, for the first time ever in the MK series. This adds another dimension to online play, where two teams of two can take each other on, and also to the arcade ladder, making the final boss a tad easier. There are a multitude of other game modes featured, including the aforementioned story mode; the more traditional arcade ladder where you fight one opponent at a time, then move on to the next and a a survival based King-of-the-Hill mode. But the most entertaining mode is, by far, the challenge tower. Over 300 mini challenges and fight, but all with a twist: Some involve landing hits on each of your opponent’s body parts, fighting off waves of zombies, fighting whilst poisoned. Some are inexplicable, such as a challenge with Sub-Zero where your only attacks are to fling your body parts at the other fighter. They are challenging, entertaining and provide the game with a great substance. There are a multitude of unlockables to spend your koins on, including new costumes and fatalities, as well as art and concept pictures. A whole lot of effort has gone into making this game the truest Mortal Kombat experience as one can have and it really works.
Graphically it is superb, as you’d expect from a Warner Bros. Game (Batman: Arkham Asylum ring any bells?). Not just the characters, but the levels too, with plenty going on in the background. The character damage is brutally and accurately portrayed and plenty of blood gets splashed all over the arena. In short, everything a true Mortal Kombat fan could want from a new game is present and correct; a cheesy and all round ‘Hollywood’ storyline, but would we have it any other way? Brutal fatalities and gore send your bloodlust into overdrive and there’s a ton of game modes, unlockables and secrets. It is a great introduction to the series for new players such as myself and brings true gaming heritage into the 21st Century. Let kombat commence!
Score Breakdown:
Visuals – 9/10: Great overall graphics, superbly updated design of old characters and excellent environments.
Presentation – 10/10: The storyline is well presented inbetween each bout and it covers the canon MK storyline, what more could you want? In addition, each character’s arcade ladder gives a small ending movie which provides and insight into their past, present and future.
Sounds – 10/10: Each hit sounds like it could tear your face off! All the characters’ actors ham it up like you’d expect and all the catchphrases are present and correct.
Gameplay – 7/10: Unfortunately, it can be hard to get used to. The game can be unfair too; if it feels like it, it will rip your face off and you can’t do anything to stop it. The boss fights can verge on the ridiculous; some require spamming a particular attack which can be boring. But, the challenge of it, and the Challenge Tower bring the game longevity.
Overall – 9/10: This game is amazing. Whether you’re a long time veteran, or just taking your first baby steps into the visceral world of Mortal Kombat, you need to own this game. Yes, it can be over the top with storyline and the acting, with more ham than a Danish butcher, but that’s why we love Mortal Kombat. So, if you haven’t already, buy this game, because it truly destroys the kompetition. FATALITY!
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