Mortal Kombat 9: Now 20% More Fatal

Last time, we talked about Marvel vs Capcom 3 and how I would've given it a higher score if I hadn't played something else that made me realize some of it's shortcomings, particularly in the single player content area. Well, if you were wonder what game that is, look no further. Netherrealms Studios' new Mortal Kombat is that very title.

Now I never cared too much for Mortal Kombat as a whole. Sure the early games were fun to an extent and had enough silliness to keep gamers entertained and even after the shift to 3D, Mortal Kombat 4 was fun enough, but afterwards I just lost interest. I played Deception and enjoyed it to an extent, but it didn't have a deep enough system to keep me entertain, or at the very least, I just didn't care enough about it and Armageddon.... oh boy, Armageddon. This particular title left me skeptical at first too and even when the demo was released, I was unsure, but then I played it and was surprised to feel something: Fun. So I looked more into the game and the more I heard, the more I like. It's been about a month since the game's release, so how is it?

Story: Off the bat, you realize that Mortal Kombat has something that most fighters don't, an engaging, interesting, and most surprisingly long plot that can take roughly five hours to complete if you're good at the game. After the event of Armageddon, Raiden realizes the mistakes they have made and sends back a message to his past self during the events of the first Mortal Kombat. From here, the story is a retelling of the first three games, but this little twist on things provides unique things to happen, allowing certain events to never happen and some characters never be, while brand new characters appear.

The story mode is ultimately fun, if a bit challenging at times (they really like to pit you in two on one matches against you) and you get fair number of bonuses for playing through it, such as two characters, and a lot of koins. However cutscenes are unskippable, so if you find yourself playing through the story again, that's something to consider. Otherwise, the storymode is a well enjoyed addition to the game and I hope more fighting games put more effort into their stories like this.

Gameplay: The core game of Mortal Kombat is a combination of 3D fighting mechanics, such as chain combos and a block button, combined with a 2D fighting plane, introducing a power bar that allowed of enhanced attacks with unique properties, such as super armor, increase hitbox, and stronger damage output. Additionally, this super bar can be used to end a would-be devastating combo with a combo breaker. Finally, you can use up the entire bar for an x-ray attack, which pretty much acts as the game's super move. The properties of each x-ray attack vary from character to character, with some acting a combo enders, grabs, or even counters. However, this uses up your entire bar so you have to strategize accordingly.

The combo system for the game is little unlike other 2D fighters, where you mix and match buttons to form combo. Instead, there are chain combos pre-programmed into each character and while at first this might seem limiting, it ends up becoming a means of figuring out what combos put your opponent into juggle state and then carrying that juggling as long as you can or for the most damage. It's kind of surprising what you can and can't combo together, like an airthrow into jugglable projectile. However, that said, the system isn't as extensive as Street Fighter or as much flak as I have it, Marvel vs Capcom 3's combo system is more deep, but Mortal Kombat's still a fun game to explore and I find to be one of the better systems of the franchise.

As mentioned earlier, playing through storymode gets you Koins, as does fighting on the Arcade Ladder, completing the challenge tower, and so on. These coins can be used in the Krypt, a collection of unlockables, which includes concept art, music, fatalities, and alternate costumes. This is nice, but it does leave something to be desired once everything's said and done. That said, it's a commendable to have so many unlockables. It's just that most of them is hard to care about.

Graphics: The visuals for the game are something of a mix bag, but overall are pleasant to watch, with diverse updates to the classic look of the characters coming out great. Others aren't too appealing if you're a old time fan, like Reptile's new look. It's no wonder that Reptile's Klassic Costume goes for so much on Amazon. Even so, some of the looks sort of grow on you. In concept, Smoke's crazy hair looks absolutely ridiculous but once he appears in game, the hair just moves so smoothly that it fits the character.

Regardless of that, the characters look good in the graphic engine with a nice mix of realism with enough style that it's not bogged down by whatever limitations the realism may have. However, there are some occasion grapic glitches like flowing capes getting caught on invisible twigs, but these hardly ruin the game by any means.

Sound: The music is MK9 is almost like something of a throwback to 90s grim and dark genre of movies and game, with low chord pieces mixed in with some light electric guitar. It sets the mood of the game with the mature theme it portrays. Though an occasional background stage comes to mind every now and again, the soundtrack doesn't come off as memorable as the original Mortal Kombat theme, or even the movie soundtrack.

The real winner in terms of sound is the voice acting, with characters really leaving an impression as you meet them, including Johhny Cage's snarky, smartass attitude, to Shao Kahn's booming, intimidating voice, to Mileena's sheer creepy joyful mannerism, the voice acting is spot on. I just wished some characters got more just as the likes of Reptile who I think doesn't even get a line beyond hissing. Regardless, love the voice acting.

Overall: Mortal Kombat 2011 is a reboot done right. In fact to call it a reboot only half true as it does technically continue the story while going back to it's root, introducing the story to a new generation while paying homage to the old. Add in a challenge mode and unique endings for each character and you have the makings of a great game. That said, the gameplay suffers a little from this focus on single player content, due to the concept of combo is the same for most characters, launch, juggle, finish. Tht said, each character is unique enough to provide a lot of playstyles and learning. Overall, it's a fun game and a worthy addition to your fighting game collection. 8/10