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| Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe (Midway) |
At the moment I'm still playing Dead Rising 2 and to be honest... I'm not overly amazed at it as I thought I'd be. But it's still early gametime. And as I look back at my other reviews I noticed I've reviewed games I think are good. So this week I thought I'd go back to a game I was less impressed with. Just one of those games where you buy it and after a few hours or minutes you think to yourself "Hmm... maybe I shouldn't of bought this one". Enter MK vs DC...
Story
Besides two worlds meeting to bash each other to death, MK vs DC actually has a well put together storyline where both sides have an individual story. The heroes and villans of both sides are effected by a strange state of mind called 'Rage' which sets the reason or excuse for everyone to find the need to fight each other. The story was actually created by comic book writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray and their work really shows on the DC side. After Shao Kahn's invasion of Earthrealm is defeated by Raiden's forces of light, Raiden destroys Kahn by blasting him through a portal. At the exact same time on Earth, Superman stops Darkseid's Apokoliptian invasion by blasting the Apokoliptian with his heat vision as he enters a boom tube. These acts do not destroy either of them, but merges them into Dark Kahn, and causes the DC Universe and Mortal Kombat universes to merge. And then the fighting begins.
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| Dark Kahn |
Compared to other Mortal Kombat games, MK vs DC doesn't have as many game modes. No Action/Adventure mode, no car racing and no chess. This however I believe to be a good thing. The modes in MK vs DC take a bit more of a serious approach. There's Story Mode, Pracice Mode, Arcade Mode, a skill testing Kombo Challenge Mode (and I MEAN skill testing!) and a VS Mode which can be played Online or Offline. Overall it has a fairly decent design showing some simple features of old school Mortal Kombat whilst keeping some of the new school stuff like Tekken juggles. However I didn't find this to be the most balanced fighting game I've played. And because of it's merge with a super hero universe, the violence and gore has been set to a bear minimum and given a 16+ rating. At the end of a fight players still get the chance to perform a Fatality which unfortunately lacks the heart pumping violence fans are used to and when you play as a hero you get the chance to perform a Heroic Brutality which also lacks in over the top violence. Each of the 23 characters have 2 finishing moves which can be discovered randomly or by the help of the internet and because they involve specific timing I'd recommend using the internet. Where as Story Mode is fueled with cutscenes, completing Arcade Mode rewards to you endings told with the use of still artwork and a narrator giving a few sentences on the after math of your selected character.
Gameplay
Similar to other fighting games, MK vs DC has 2 punch buttons and 2 kick buttons and similar to other Mortal Kombat games the universal uppercut is still of use and although finishing moves have been downgraded, the use of special moves are still unquely interesting. As with most fighting games there is a long list of possible moves to pull off against your opponent and just like other fighting games, it appears to be practically useless as your opponent usually just blocks or counters your efforts. Not to mention pulling the moves off requires certain and precise timing of which button you hit which is not really worth the trouble. A Rage bar has been added that fills as you attack but fills quicker if you're attacked. By activating it you can break combos and break the other fighters block defence. The in game mini games of Klose Kombat and Free Fall are a nice touch and they look cool but overall I find the controls clumpy and tank like. And because of the precise timing of moves I find it pointless and repetetive to play.
Presentation
Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe had the potential to be a decent game. Don't get me wrong I don't "hate" it. I just wasn't feeling it. It lacked something. Maybe it was too short, too repetetive or just too hard to get the most out of it. There are some good elements to the game though. Interesting encounters such as Batman vs Sub Zero or Superman vs Raiden and the fights take place is settings from both worlds from the Metropolis to Kahn's castle. In some stages the scenery is split in half so you can be fighting in a DC world as well as an MK one which I thought was a nice touch. Also during the fight as you or your foe's life decreases, there are noticable changes to your appearance including a ripped caped, a busted nose or my personal favourite, seeing Scorpians firery skull under the mask. And as I said the story was well put together. The Kombo challenges are very difficult and frustrating but you do get a feeling of accomplishment if you succeed in them. Graphically it's pleasable and the cutscenes are played out well. The artwork I'd say is one of if not it's best feature. As for the online play I stay well clear of it and recommend anyone else who is not so hot tipped on the moves and defence to do so too, this is due to everyone either picking a character they are naturally good at or they pick Flash and just one move you all the way to a perfect KO.
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| "Get over here!" |
Unfortunately it's just not one of my best purchases. I give it 4.5/10.
