Mortal Kombat is one of those franchises that was legendary on a 2D plane, but struggled when it attempted to make the leap to the 3D realm. While many people did in fact enjoy the 3D Mortal Kombat titles like Deadly Alliance, Deception, and Armageddon, there was always a feeling that it didn’t quite belong in that dimensional view. Unfortunately, Mortal Kombat has thus far only seen one current generation release, and even then, it was a crossover title with DC Universe rather than an actual Mortal Kombat game. It utilized 3D style graphics and gameplay, as the previous generation’s trilogy did to very mixed results.
When Capcom decided to revitalize the Street Fighter franchise less than six months later with Street Fighter IV, it didn’t just show that there was still a market for solid 2D fighting games; it ignited the fighting game revolution. The mechanics Capcom implemented Street Fighter IV and Super Street Fighter IV (e.g. focus attack dash cancels, two ultra combos and EX specials) revealed the flaws and antiquity that existed in Mortal Kombat‘s 3D fighting mechanics, and series creator, Ed Boon decided it was time to do something about it.
For starters, the game looks absolutely gorgeous. Mortal Kombat combines the old-school look fans want with the graphics of the current generation. The animations are very smooth, and everything, from the blood that flows like water to the fracturing skeletal structures of the combatants, just looks really polished. There’s also a lot of action going on in the background, which really makes the environment have that organic feeling. Even as the fights go on, you’ll notice that damage appears in realtime on the fighters, which really gives the visuals a nice touch. It’s actually quite easy to make the claim that Mortal Kombat is one of the best looking fighters I’ve ever seen.
The new fighting system, which designers at the recently founded NetherRealm studio have put into place is incredibly solid and just all-around fun. The characters are fairly balanced and the overall feel of the system is that of a true successor to the Mortal Kombats of old. Mortal Kombat really takes to the new 2D fighting system and implements it as successfully as Street Fighter did back in 2009.
Gameplay in Mortal Kombat is not just about solid fighting mechanics, however. This time around, the gory fighter has a few tricks up its sleeve. In possibly taking a page from its longtime rival franchise,Mortal Kombat has decided to further develop its take on the “Hyper Combo.” Instead of enormously over-the-top combinations that send opponents flying like I saw in Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Mortal Kombatuses a very intuitive meter system that grants different abilities based on the levels you reach. Nearly every action fills up the meter from the punishment you doll out or receive.
The concept is not unlike what I’ve seen in other fighters. When the meter reaches level one, the player can execute “Enhanced Moves,” which are simply more powerful versions of the character’s existing special moves. When the meter reaches level two, the player can execute a powerful Combo Breaker by simply blocking and pressing forward while his or her opponent is executing a combo. Most players will want to wait until they fill the meter to level three, however, as that will enable the player to access to the devastatingly awesome X-Ray attack system. The X-Ray attacks are executed by pulling both triggers while you are in possession of the full meter. The character will then, in turn, unleash a combo that is, quite literally, bone-crushing.
The awesomely powerful X-Ray attacks are always a pleasure to execute.
Each character possesses a unique X-Ray move, but I kind of wish there was a bit more variety in the way they could happen. It’s also interesting to note that the X-Ray moves have no bearing on the way the receiving character performs for the remainder of the round, let alone the fight. While I didn’t expect the moves to have any effect aside from the devastating damage they do, it’s slightly strange to literally watch someone’s leg or skull get shattered, and then they continue to fight unhindered. I can’t get too mad at the lack of realism, however, as the title I’m discussing here is a game that features robot ninjas ripping the limbs off of 2,000 year old human-dragon hybrids.
While the fighting itself is incredibly entertaining, the tale that Mortal Kombat ultimately tells is one of robust features. In addition to the online fighting and the typical fight ladders that I’ve played through since the series inception, there is literally the potential to get lost for tens of hours in the other modes.
The story mode is where you’ll likely want to start, particularly if you’re a fan of the franchise’s storyline. Story mode takes players on a cinematic journey through the first three Mortal Kombat titles. While players who are less familiar with the overall franchise story arc may find themselves a bit lost at times, the storytelling is the best I’ve ever seen in any fighting game. The story does a good job of not taking itself too seriously, throwing in some incredibly cheesy one-liners from the likes of Johnny Cage, but not to the point that the story becomes a parody of itself.
Make no mistake about it, the story mode is difficult. Those that aren’t the best at fighting games may struggle at certain boss fights even on “beginner” mode, which can prove to be very frustrating. Through trial and error, however, most players will be able to plow their way through the mode as long as they can avoid trashing their controller in frustration. Obviously, the length of story mode will vary based on the skill level of the player and the difficulty level the game is being played on, but players can expect it to last anywhere from 4 to 10 hours, which is remarkable for a fighting game.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much replay value to the story mode as the cinematics don’t change and the outcomes will always remain the same. Luckily for players that aren’t just planning on making this a weekend rental, NetherRealm Studios has decided to include the most feature-rich mode I’ve seen in any fighter ever: the Challenge Tower. The Challenge Tower is a ladder mode that will see players going up against various challenges that range from endurance fights against multiple characters to fights that see both characters without their limbs. Challenges from other modes, such as “Test Your Luck,” “Test Your Might,” “Test Your Strike,” and “Test Your Sight,” make their way into the tower as well. All in all, Mortal Kombat‘s Challenge Tower is an enormous, time-consuming mode that brings diverse challenges and the potential to last from 10 to 15 hours. The only issue I found with this mode is the fact that sometimes the “challenges” end up being little more than veiled tutorials for the various characters you assume control of.
Just like every other recent title in the series, with everything you do throughout Mortal Kombat, you’ll earn koins that can be spent to unlock items in The Krypt. The Krypt in this game is simply enormous. There are various sections that are navigable and interactive, and progress can be tracked based on completion per section. The items that are unlockable can be a little lackluster at times, but players interested in the background of the game will find many pieces of concept art and behind-the-scenes bonus items to enjoy.
Challenge Tower levels like “Armless Kombat” make for some intriguing moments
Mortal Kombat is easily one of the most violent, gory and brutal games ever released onto home consoles, but that does not mean the game’s success hinges on that gimmick in any way. Instead,Mortal Kombat takes an incredibly well-constructed fighting system and places it in the middle of the most feature-rich infrastructure I’ve ever seen in the genre. Mortal Kombat is more than a return to form for the legendary and controversial fighting franchise; it’s the setting of the bar for all other games in the genre.
