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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Fighting Developer: Midway Publisher: Midway |
There are many things that people never expect to see in their lifetime. Some of these things might include the Minnesota Vikings
making it to the Super Bowl, a car that runs on water or a single gaming system created by Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. However,
even though people don’t expect to see these things, there is still slight chance that they might happen because anything is possible.
One example of something being seen that was never expected is “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.” Luckily the game defies all logic
by, first of all existing and second, by not being a terrible game.
This time around, “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe” has twenty-two characters from both the “Mortal Kombat” franchise and the
powerhouse DC Comics. Between the heroes, villains and lightning throwers, players will have a wide variety of characters to choose
from to do battle in the bloody brawls that are short but sweet, a total of three short rounds. However, this game is more than just one
fight after another.
Some may be confused as to how these two entities have gotten tied together, so a step back is necessary and an explanation will be
given. A series of inter-dimensional explosions created a rift between the planes of existence of each world, causing the two to merge.
Characters from the Mortal Kombat realm and characters from the DC Universe begin swapping places at random. Rage begins to
infect characters and soon friends and fighting friends. Also, with the powers of the universe being a screwed up, the powers of each
hero and villain are out of control. Superman can’t be hurt, the Joker has super human strength and the Green Lantern’s ring is
suddenly limited. Each of these issues and storylines are addressed in the typical over the top comic book vs. video game story that
can be expected. The voices in the game are a little overacted, but as long as players get into the game expecting it to be comic book
based, things will be just fine.
For those players that are willing to commit themselves to both sides of the storyline, there is roughly six hours of game play available,
which doesn’t sound like much, but there is still an arcade mode that is worth tackling. Players choose a character that they want to
play as and then take them up the traditional “Mortal Kombat” arcade tree of one on one battles. In this mode players are able to use
Fatalities and Brutalities and build toward each character’s individual ending. When the player makes it all the way through the ten
competitors, they get a piece of art with a voiceover letting them know what happened to the specific character after the tournament, this
may result in the character changing the way that he or she acts and sometimes the character changes there costume. Unfortunately,
the new outfit shown in the concept art is not available for regular game play.
This lack of rewards in the arcade mode may lead many to general realization of “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe,” that although there
seems to be a lot packed into this game, including story, arcade, a Kombo Challenge for each character and an online mode, the game
won’t be able to sustain itself. The only things available for players to unlock in the game are Darkseid and Shao Kahn. The arcade
endings and Kombo Challenges give players nothing more than an Achievement. In the Kombo Challenge, players get ten sets of
moves that need to be pulled off in succession. Sometimes the first challenge will be very easy, but eventually the mode will toss in
some pauses, simultaneous button taps and Pro moves. Figuring out these long combos can be very frustrating at times, especially
since players will need to figure out how long they need to pause for at certain points.
Another unfortunate element of the game is the online mode, which just seems to have been thrown in with no real thought give to it.
Players will join one of four game rooms, Gotham City, Metropolis, Netherrealm or Outworld, or the can create their own. Players and
connections are listed and player can choose their challenge. When a player wins a match, or starts a streak, the game makes an
announcement in the chat room. Also, the game has a leader board that tracks records for players on their wins and losses, best
streak and more. However, players won’t be able to sort the list by their friends list, but can pop over to see the Hall of Fame trophy
room that always shows the player with the most wins, best streak and most games played.
“Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe” is a fun and fairly solid game, offering something quite different than anything anyone would expect.
The character models look great, but the Fatalities and Brutalities that players have grown to love over the years from the “Mortal
Kombat” franchise, have been cut back. Sadly, most players will want to simply rent this game instead of buy it. Casual players will be
able to get through the storyline before burning out. Also, the slower game play pulls players out of the expected chaos from these two
powerhouse entities. It is cool to see some of these characters fighting each other, but it still isn’t enough to make this game perfect.
Hopefully, another unexpected title of this type will arrive and blow away all unsuspecting players, but in the meantime, Go Vikings!
making it to the Super Bowl, a car that runs on water or a single gaming system created by Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. However,
even though people don’t expect to see these things, there is still slight chance that they might happen because anything is possible.
One example of something being seen that was never expected is “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.” Luckily the game defies all logic
by, first of all existing and second, by not being a terrible game.
This time around, “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe” has twenty-two characters from both the “Mortal Kombat” franchise and the
powerhouse DC Comics. Between the heroes, villains and lightning throwers, players will have a wide variety of characters to choose
from to do battle in the bloody brawls that are short but sweet, a total of three short rounds. However, this game is more than just one
fight after another.
Some may be confused as to how these two entities have gotten tied together, so a step back is necessary and an explanation will be
given. A series of inter-dimensional explosions created a rift between the planes of existence of each world, causing the two to merge.
Characters from the Mortal Kombat realm and characters from the DC Universe begin swapping places at random. Rage begins to
infect characters and soon friends and fighting friends. Also, with the powers of the universe being a screwed up, the powers of each
hero and villain are out of control. Superman can’t be hurt, the Joker has super human strength and the Green Lantern’s ring is
suddenly limited. Each of these issues and storylines are addressed in the typical over the top comic book vs. video game story that
can be expected. The voices in the game are a little overacted, but as long as players get into the game expecting it to be comic book
based, things will be just fine.
For those players that are willing to commit themselves to both sides of the storyline, there is roughly six hours of game play available,
which doesn’t sound like much, but there is still an arcade mode that is worth tackling. Players choose a character that they want to
play as and then take them up the traditional “Mortal Kombat” arcade tree of one on one battles. In this mode players are able to use
Fatalities and Brutalities and build toward each character’s individual ending. When the player makes it all the way through the ten
competitors, they get a piece of art with a voiceover letting them know what happened to the specific character after the tournament, this
may result in the character changing the way that he or she acts and sometimes the character changes there costume. Unfortunately,
the new outfit shown in the concept art is not available for regular game play.
This lack of rewards in the arcade mode may lead many to general realization of “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe,” that although there
seems to be a lot packed into this game, including story, arcade, a Kombo Challenge for each character and an online mode, the game
won’t be able to sustain itself. The only things available for players to unlock in the game are Darkseid and Shao Kahn. The arcade
endings and Kombo Challenges give players nothing more than an Achievement. In the Kombo Challenge, players get ten sets of
moves that need to be pulled off in succession. Sometimes the first challenge will be very easy, but eventually the mode will toss in
some pauses, simultaneous button taps and Pro moves. Figuring out these long combos can be very frustrating at times, especially
since players will need to figure out how long they need to pause for at certain points.
Another unfortunate element of the game is the online mode, which just seems to have been thrown in with no real thought give to it.
Players will join one of four game rooms, Gotham City, Metropolis, Netherrealm or Outworld, or the can create their own. Players and
connections are listed and player can choose their challenge. When a player wins a match, or starts a streak, the game makes an
announcement in the chat room. Also, the game has a leader board that tracks records for players on their wins and losses, best
streak and more. However, players won’t be able to sort the list by their friends list, but can pop over to see the Hall of Fame trophy
room that always shows the player with the most wins, best streak and most games played.
“Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe” is a fun and fairly solid game, offering something quite different than anything anyone would expect.
The character models look great, but the Fatalities and Brutalities that players have grown to love over the years from the “Mortal
Kombat” franchise, have been cut back. Sadly, most players will want to simply rent this game instead of buy it. Casual players will be
able to get through the storyline before burning out. Also, the slower game play pulls players out of the expected chaos from these two
powerhouse entities. It is cool to see some of these characters fighting each other, but it still isn’t enough to make this game perfect.
Hopefully, another unexpected title of this type will arrive and blow away all unsuspecting players, but in the meantime, Go Vikings!
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