Source: Personal Photograph, Mortal Kombat Copyright Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
By: Scott Alguire, DMA188DB Microsoft Word Version Found Here: Mortal Kombat 2011 Review
Company Information: Mortal Kombat was developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
Available Platforms: Available on xbox360 and ps3
Genre: Fighting
ESRB Rating: Mature. This rating denotes that consumers must be 17 years or older to purchase the game except with parental consent at some retailers. This game as well as the entire Mortal Kombat series routinely fuels much controversy due to very intense graphic violence. The game has been banned in Australia altogether and maintains adult ratings elsewhere. The M rating was intentional and expected by publishers as this installment was designed to achieve violence levels on par with the original game.
Story and Characters: The game includes twenty-seven characters, all of which have their own unique motion captured fighting style. The main characters are Raiden and Shao Kahn, who represent the Earthrealm and Outworld respectively.
Source: wikia.com, http://mortalkombat.wikia.com/wiki/Shao_Kahn/Alternative_Timeline
The game begins with a cutscene where Raiden is about to be executed by Shao Khan, as Raiden sends a message through time to his former self by casting a spell on his broken amulet. The message delivered to the past Raiden was simply “He must win”. The game starts from the moment Raiden experiences the premonition and a quest to discover and utilize the meaning of this message begins. Initially Raiden assumes the message refers to a character named Liu Kang who must win a competition for Earthrealm against Outworld. Although Liu Kang wins Raiden’s amulet continues to deteriorate, suggesting the problem is still unsolved. Shao Kahn attempts to oppose Outworld’s loss in a second tournament, and this time Raiden chooses Kung Lao as the Earthrealm challenger. Kung Lao is defeated and the amulet continues to deteriorate. Shao Kahn decides to form an alliance with Netherrealm and invade Earthrealm. Raiden now realizes “He must win” refers to Shao Kahn, since deciding to invade Earthrealm without winning a tournament is against the rules of Mortal Kombat. Raiden surrenders to Shao Kahn but having violated the rules of Mortal Kombat the Elder Gods restore Raiden’s strength so he can defeat Shao Kahn and defend Earthrealm. Raiden, Sonya and Johnny Cage decide to rebuild Earthrealm together.
"Raiden Torpedo" Source: wikia.com, http://mortalkombat.wikia.com/wiki/File:Raiden_Fly.png
The Rating System – The following ratings are relative to current standards in gaming and in relation to similar content. A rating of 1 is reserved for the worst performance in the given area and reflects a great underachievement. A rating of 10 is reserved for the best performance in the given area and reflects work the greatly exceeds expectations.
Graphics (8 out of 10)
Source: UK Gamespot, http://uk.gamespot.com/images/6302274/mortal-kombat-preview-challenge-tower-jax-sonya-and-more/
As the first version of Mortal Kombat to feature full HD graphics, the 3D characters displayed on the 2D plane have never looked more realistic. The game runs via Unreal Engine 3, and boasts graphics similar to Gears of War and Unreal Tournament 3. High quality textures and lighting add depth and help separate the fighting area from the detailed and dynamic backgrounds. The games physics engine allows projectiles to strike enemies in an unlimited number of ways, including blood splatters, ice blasts and fireballs. Although the graphics were impressive, there are times when some lag was noticeable, particularly in complex environments during fast movements or the use of projectiles.
Game Play (8 out of 10)
The game play in this version is very enjoyable. The range of attacks has greatly expanded with the addition of two more attack buttons than offered in previous versions. Each limb is mapped to a different button, providing precise striking that can be suited to each gamer’s style of play. This feature, although useful when practiced, does make combinations of more than 4 or 5 hits much more difficult than in previous versions.
Source: The Review Crew, http://www.thereviewcrew.com/news/according-to-this-video-i-am-loving-the-revamped-mortal-kombat/
This version of MK has introduced a new “x-ray” move feature that allows a player to execute a powerful attack after an appropriate amount of damage has been done to your opponent. Although this feature is impressive visually and is exciting at first, it becomes an annoyance as the player progresses through the game. During the attack, a 10 second cutscene sequence shows the opponent in an “xray” view as skeleton and tissue are graphically destroyed in slow motion detail. This painfully slows down fight sequences since the attacks are useful to utilize but annoying to watch. The effect is shown both by attacks to your opponent and attacks on you.
The game also includes tag team fights which add a new dimension to to gameplay that requires the player to be strategic about character switching depending on the opponent. MK2011 has re-introduced the “challenge tower” which provides hours of gameplay even after the story mode is complete. There are a series of 300 challenges that build skills with each character through the training and repetition of specific moves as well as fighting and speed based puzzles such as “test your might”.
Difficulty (7 out of 10)
The level of difficulty shifts greatly throughout the game but generally gets progressively harder as the game nears the end. The challenge of beating difficult characters is one of the endearing qualities of MK2011 and indeed most fighting games because it relies on frustrating the user just enough to inspire multiple attempts. With that said, there are moments that use cheap tactics that can only be cancelled through cheap tactics of your own. This type of button mashing is frustrating for the wrong reason. Instead of requiring skill and cunning it simply requires the player to position themselves in one spot and repeatedly tap the same button combination.
Source: gamespy.com Mortal Kombat Guide, http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/mortal-kombat-x/guide/page_49.html
One instance where this is particularly annoying is during a fight using Liu Kang vs Shao Kahn. The only conceivable way to win this match is to duck in the corner of the screen and spam fireballs over and over again. Hardcore gamers may be willing to figure this out or search a solution via the web, but many casual gamers would be quick to end the story mode right here.
Aside from some patience testing fights, the difficulty level makes the game a very satisfying experience when it is complete. The final fight against Shao Khan is the most difficult match of the game, although it does require some very good timing and careful attacking instead of simple button mashing. There is no doubt that the average gamer will require dozens of attempts before winning both rounds but the difficulty is reminiscent of early video games, where boss fights did require commitment and dedication to beat.
Although pleasing to hardcore gamers, the casual gamer will find the game rather frustrating and unrealistically hard due to several difficult stages and therefore scores only 7 out of 10 for appropriateness of difficulty.
Audio (9 out of 10)
The audio of MK2011 is exciting and unique. It includes many familiar voices such as Liu Kang’s combat sounds and the signature and widely known “Fatality” voice, but each has been revamped with modern enhancements. Details such as small character movements and bone crushing impacts have created a full audio experience that provides movie like quality. The background music is both appropriate and in the spirit of previous MK versions for appropriate continuity.
Overall Rating (8 out of 10)
