The king of gore has returned but will the latest challenger in the popular fighting series
reign supreme?
If ever there was a name synonymous with controversy, Mortal Kombat would likely take that
crown. What originated as a failed game based on action star Jean –Claude Van Damme, Mortal
Kombat has since not only become one of the most revered and recognizable video games in the
world but quite frankly a media powerhouse. Spanning 8 video game sequels and several spin-
off titles to music, film and even an animated television series, Mortal Kombat has cemented its
place in pop culture history.
Mortal Kombat is essentially the 9th installment in the series and after several tired sequels
on previous generation consoles, the developers at NetherRealm Studios wanted to take this
iteration of the fighting franchise back to its bloody roots by way of name as well as gameplay
style too.
NetherRealm studios have abandoned the 3d style of play found in games like Tekken and Virtua
Fighter and instead reverted back to a 2d plane fighting experience found in the series original
and most popular entries. While the fighting plane is in fact 2d, the characters themselves
are three-dimensionally rendered, producing a 2.5d effect akin to that of Street Fighter 4.
Unfortunately, while the graphics are very impressive for the most part they are by no means
perfect and the game presents low resolution textures in some situations.
While the nostalgic art style goes a long way in creating a fresh experience for the gamer, it is
Mortal Kombat’s familiar yet original gameplay mechanics which should be commended.
Each character is equipped with basic punches and kicks as well as special character specific
attacks. Furthermore combos are easy to execute making it a much more pleasant experience
when compared to Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance for instance. While Mortal Kombat is easily
accessible for casual fighting fans, it offers a deep fighting experience for veterans of the series.
The mix of easy-to-play yet hard-to-master approach will please new and old fans alike.
Since the fighter’s bloody inception, Mortal Kombat has most famously been known for its use
of “fatalities” at the end of a bout. This iteration is no different as it not only retains the gory
tradition but introduces special “X-ray moves” that not only sound painful, but look the part too,
as the developers take you on an inside tour of realistically rendered organs being smashed and
crunched. Be warned this imagery is not for the faint of heart folks.
The game offers remarkable reply value. From the obligatory multiplayer mode to a lengthy
single player offering, that contains modes of play ranging from standard arcade ladder options
to the extraordinary and lengthy story mode.
Mortal Kombat never forgets its roots yet feels full of innovation at the same time and despite
some minor flaws is not only one of the best entries in the series but a fine example of a
phenomenal fighting game.
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