Mortal Kombat XBOX 360

Released on 21-Apr-2011

• Mortal Kombat Review

  Klose Kombat

  If youe a gamer of a certain age say late twenties or older youl remember Mortal Kombat as the brutal arcade fighting game which kicked up a storm in the nineties. But if youe a little younger, then your first taste could have been one of the less impressive 3D games. These tried to turn Mortal Kombat into something that it wasn, and after the lacklustre Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe it seemed the series would die a less than dignified death. But under the guidance of NetherRealm Studios, Mortal Kombat is finally back on form.
  

  This reboot is a return to the halcyon days of brutal kombat on a fixed 2D plane. Players use the analogue stick or d-pad to dash, jump and duck, while a Tekken-style control scheme offers punches and kicks in left and right variations. Die-hard fans will find the torpedo dives and bicycle kicks exactly where they remember them, and a new flexible fighting system lets you mix the special attacks with multi-hit combos. This makes Mortal Kombat the most technically rewarding game in the series' long and bloodied history.
  

  Fatal Fury

  NetherRealm have taken cues from the competition by introducing a super gauge and Tag-Team mode both firsts for Mortal Kombat. The super gauge can be charged to three levels and delivers Enhanced specials and combo-escaping Breakers. A maxed meter also unlocks an X-ray attack that similar to the Ultra system from Street Fighter IV but rather than a squeaky-clean assault, the results are more barbaric and range from severing shoulders with twin tomahawks to shattering skulls with megaton punches. The X-rays make full use of the Unreal Engine 3 as you see every bone break in agonising slow motion.
  

  But as savage as the X-rays undoubtedly are, the award for ost sadistic surgerygoes to the Mortal Kombat's new Fatalities. Every character has two ways to dispatch their opponent, and while Liu Kang decapitating uppercut is a bit obvious, the more inventive highlights include Noob Saibot playing tug of war with his opponent legs and Stryker punching a grenade through a chest cavity. Then when you factor in Stage Fatalities like runaway train executions, it clear that Mortal Kombat has earned its 18 rating with gutsy gusto.
  

  Finish the Fight

  Fighting games tend to focus on the multiplayer, but as an added incentive for single players Mortal Kombat features a fully fledged Story Mode that takes around seven hours to finish. The plot begins in an apocalyptic future where Raiden has finally lost to Shao Kahn. But before he bows out for good, the Thunder God sends a message back through time in an attempt to change the future. The story of the first three Mortal Kombat games is then relived across a parallel timeline where events transpire differently.
  

  Once youe seen this tale through to its bloody conclusion, it's time to test your skills in Mortal Kombat's Challenge Tower. This marathon is made up of 300 missions that range from battling a hoard of relentless zombies, to breaking boards in the classic Test Your Might mini-game. Clearing challenges is also a good way to earn Kurrency which can be traded in the Krypt for various goodies. These include the standard character art and soundtracks, as well as secondary outfits and hidden Fatalities.
  

  King of the Kill

  Which isn't to say they've neglected multiplayer at all. Mortal Kombat online game is full of choice; you can use the matchmaking system in the Ranked and Player matches to find opponents instantly, create your own 100 player Room and watch it gradually fill or start a Private Match between you and a friend. There also a new King of the Hill mode that lets you watch a fight as your Xbox Avatar at the bottom of the screen, then once the match is over you can score the winner performance out of ten. Just remember to score generously as youl eventually have to face them yourself...
  

  By returning to its 2D roots with 30 of its most iconic warriors, Mortal Kombat rejuvenates the series in style. But despite its many accomplishments it doesn quite have the depth or sophistication to challenge the majesty of Super Street Fighter IV. But to criticise such a well-made game just because it doesn topple the current champion would be an injustice. Because after countless years of failed experiments, we finally have a Mortal Kombat that lives up to the series legacy. It been a long time coming, but it definitely better late than never.
  

  

  Shao Kahn:
  + A glorious return to 2D mechanics.
  + The story mode is well realised.
  + A more flexible combo system.

  Shao Kahn't:
  - No genuinely new characters.
  - Lots of cheap specials.
  - Fatalities could be more brutal.

• The Best Games of 2011... So Far!

  The Best Games of 2011...So Far!

  Summer can be torture for us gamers. It's the slow season, when publishers hold back their biggest releases for Christmas and we're forced to venture outside, blinking and confused, in the hope of a few days of decent sunshine.

  It doesn't have to be this way though. True, July may not bring much in the way of blockbuster releases, but why not take advantage of the lull and catch up on some of the great games that have already been released? Here's our pick of the year so far.

  

  Killzone 3

  Sony got 2011 off to a bruising start with this hefty, punishing first person shooter which surely ranks as one of the most visually stunning games of this console generation. Trapped on the toxic planet of Helghan, you'll battle your way through some of the most memorable action set-pieces in the genre as Guerilla Games shows you just how high the FPS bar has been raised. Also playable in 3D and with PlayStation Move, Killzone 3 is a taste of the future of shooters today.

  "One of the most visually stunning games of this console generation."

  

  Brink

  If you prefer your shooting action a little more fluid and team-based, this striking multiplayer mash-up from Splash Damage hits all the right notes. Playing as either Security or Rebel forces on a ramshackle floating city gone to ruin, the ability to run, scramble and leap over scenery with a single button press opens up the traditional deathmatch action in fresh new ways. Add in some of the best character customisation ever seen in a shooter, and the option to play offline against AI bots, and you've got one of the smartest genre refinements in years.

  "One of the smartest genre refinements in years."

  

  Mortal Kombat

  How do you expect to FINISH HIM if you haven't even started yet? OK, so the Mortal Kombat series hasn't been in the best of health in recent years, but this blood-soaked reboot gets everything so right you can safely start over with this one. It's simply a blistering one-on-one fighting game, with an array of well balanced classic characters, but it's the ridiculous gore that makes it stick in the mind, like a ruddy big kitchen knife. Bodies are sliced, diced, crushed and skewered with savage abandon, so even if you're getting beaten to a squishy pulp it's impossible not to be entertained.

  "This blood-soaked reboot gets everything so right."

  

  Portal 2

  Maybe you prefer a little more wit and style in your gaming? If that's the case then the lovely polished geniuses at Valve have you covered. This sequel to their oddball Orange Box bonus game is a master-class in interactive storytelling, as Stephen Merchant's quirky robot walks you through another mind-bending series of space-warping puzzle rooms. Effortlessly building on the potential of the already brilliant original, Portal 2 even offers a completely separate series of co-op multiplayer puzzles, making it an unmissable package.

  "A master-class in interactive storytelling."

  

  L.A. Noire

  Rockstar takes us back to the Los Angeles of the 1940s in this critically acclaimed adventure, which benefits from the most stunningly realised characters in gaming history. As Cole Phelps you move from beat cop to homicide detective, uncovering conspiracies and solving serial slayings in a city that's drowning in sleaze in L.A. Noire. Ground-breaking facial capture techniques mean that catching the culprit is only half the job you then have to outsmart them in nail-biting interrogations where every twitch of the lips or flicker of the eyelids can be a clue. Truly a game that has to be played to be believed.

  "Ground-breaking facial capture means that catching the culprit is only half the job."

  

  3DS

  Feeling a little flush? Fancy treating yourself to a whole new gaming system? The Nintendo 3DS is now amassing an enviable software library, with must-haves like Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time now reworked in astonishing glasses-free 3D. The wireless StreetPass lets you swap game data with passing strangers, there are built-in Augmented Reality games, and it can even take 3D photos. Just like its predecessor, the DS, this is a handheld that will only get better with age. Jump aboard now and ride the wave!

  "The Nintendo 3DS is now amassing an enviable software library."

• Mortal Kombat passes three million sales

  Warner Bros Interactive is celebrating after announcing that its hit fighting game Mortal Kombat has passed the three million mark in terms of global sales.

  The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 reinvention of the classic beat-em-up series made its debut in April 2011 courtesy of NetherRealm Studios, a new development team founded by Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon.

  NetherRealm's game takes the franchise back to its brutal roots, featuring robust 2D gameplay, a sophisticated fighting engine and some of the most gruesome moves yet seen in the notoriously bloodthirsty series.

  Its character roster includes iconic combatants such as Scorpion, Sub Zero and Liu Kang, with God of War's Kratos making a guest appearance in the PlayStation 3 version.

  Meanwhile, subsequent downloadable content has seen horror movie legend Freddy Krueger joining the fray.

  The game has been met with critical acclaim and, having passed this latest sales milestone, now ranks as the top-selling fighting game of the year.

  Mr Boon said: 'Fan reaction to this latest instalment has made all of our hard work worth it.'

  Published: 16/09/2011

• New Mortal Kombat feature film announced

  The Mortal Kombat series is to make a dramatic return to the big screen in 2013, courtesy of Warner Bros and New Line.

  A new feature film based on the popular fighting game franchise has been put into production in the wake of the barnstorming success of this year's Mortal Kombat reboot for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

  Filmmaker Kevin Tancharoen has signed up to helm the new movie, having proven his chops by creating the recent Mortal Kombat: Legacy, a lavish nine-part web series that proved a big hit with fans earlier this year.

  This series was commissioned on the back of a short film made by Tancharoen called Mortal Kombat: Rebirth, which was designed specifically to sell the concept of a gritty new Mortal Kombat film to Warner Bros.

  Mortal Kombat previously hit the big screen in 1995 courtesy of director Paul WS Anderson, with the sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation following in 1997.

  Having gone on the back-burner for much of the last decade, the franchise is now healthier than ever, with NetherRealm Studios' 2011 Mortal Kombat game selling more than three million copies amid glowing reviews.

  Published: 03/10/2011

• PS Vita-exclusive features for Mortal Kombat detailed

  Mortal Kombat fans have been provided with the first details of some of the exclusive new features that will be included in the forthcoming PlayStation Vita edition.

  NetherRealm Studios creative director and series creator Ed Boon told the official PlayStation Blog that the PS Vita version of Mortal Kombat will retain all of the content seen in the PlayStation 3 edition, including its downloadable characters.

  New to the handheld version will be an additional Challenge Tower with 150 exclusive challenges, including stages that specifically take advantage of PS Vita's unique hardware.

  For example, in some levels players can tilt their PS Vita to affect gravity, while throughout the game they will be able to execute gruesome Fatality moves using swipes on the touchscreen.

  Mr Boon confirmed that the new game will include a full online multiplayer mode and will run at the same speed as its home console brethren.

  Mortal Kombat hits PlayStation Vita this year, with a Komplete Edition version of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions also coming soon.
  

  Published: 23/01/2012

• Bring On the Bad Guys!

  
  

  

  This week sees the release of Prototype 2, where the Alex Mercer, hero from the first game seems to have become the new bad guy to beat. So, in celebration of all things vile and villainous, the digital team has once again been gently prodded to share with you our favourite evil-doers. These are the people, who, in the style of Bugsy Malone, are "the very best at being bad"

  
  

  

  Glenn - Mad Mod

  Diablo is the Lord of Terror and a Prime Evil of Hell. That's a job title that alone warrants a spot on our best bad guys list.

  He manipulates his opponents using their innermost fears and then obliterates them with his Demonic strength and incredibly powerful Spells. The strongest Demon in Hell, named after the Devil himself, and seemingly indestructible (Read - he's been destroyed a number of times, even with the Arch Angels helping and he's still keeps ticking, like a malevolent Duracell bunny), devious and able to possess his enemies, Diablo is the Ultimate Bad Guy. And he's back in Diablo 3!
  

  

  Marc - Analyst to the Stars

  The little girl from F.E.A.R. - Alma Wade.

  She was scary. Honest. Like the girl from the Ring (Japanese version, obviously). The first corridor experience with her and the ceiling of blood is one of the scariest scenes ever in a game.

  The Music and Sound was eerie too. It was just all far too scary and Alma was the cause of it all.

  Carl - Design Doodler

  Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat. Because he is a massive #@+! and I can't kill him!

  

  Ali - Queen of the Internet

  My favourite video game villain is Revolver Ocelot. He started life in Metal Gear Solid as a random gunslinger who you could kill if you (as Solid Snake) waited for him to need to reload his revolver - he really should have named himself something with more than 6 bullets!

  After cutting off his arm you assume that's the end of him, but he's more maniacal than you realise as he replaces his arm with that of your dead clone brother Liquid Snake. In a strange twist of surgery his arm takes over his mind so you have to beat him again in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Finally the epic family feud of a lifetime is over, but with Metal Gear nothing ever seems to stay dead. Roll on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance!

  James - Captain Category

  G-Man from Half-Life - not really a villain but still very creepy

  

  Nick - Colonel Category

  Wesker from Resident Evil.
  
  How many times did he die escape get retconned? Nigh on unkillable (until the muddle that was Resident Evil 5), the variety of his super powers (whatever the situation demanded, basically) and his smartass one-liners made him the man (ish?) well all loved to hate.

  Plus, sunglasses in those dark places, yes, THAT's how hard he was!

  Louis - Merchandising Meddler

  Wesker be top of my favourite picks, too. From his humble beginnings in a dual life as a scientist/Umbrella genius/STARS Leader, he goes about sacrificing his entire team in the name of science... and obtaining reliable combat data.

  After he is foiled by Chris and Jill, Wesker fakes his own death, escapes, and, not content with the destruction of Raccoon City, tries to continue his research away from the tenacious and meddling Redfield...

  But, Wesker is a bad guy and is therefore doomed to fail. After failing twice, mutating his body beyond belief and moving to Africa, he becomes nothing short of annoying and impossible to kill. The only way he is stopped is by being tackled by Chris and Eva and hundreds of bullets later, is engulfed in a pool of lava.

  Truly special, I'll always remember him for his rubbish sunglasses (worn at all times) and even worse Matrix-esque coat (RE 5). It was also really weird the way his accent changed too. He went from camp American to indignant English... I guess that cemented the transformation from mildly devious to completely evil!

  My second pick would be The Shredder (many Turtles games, but in particular, the 1989 TMNT Arcade Game). Not content with burning down April's apartment building, he kidnaps her too - forcing the Turtles into action and on a mission to end all missions. To a degree, menacing, but generally just annoying and incessant ; )

  Finally, I'd say my third pick would be Dr. Robotnik from Sonic. Generally, he's also just annoying, but also very devious and innovative. From trying to run Sonic down with a drill machine, to smashing Sonic with a giant wrecking ball, to trying to drown Sonic, to pitting Sonic against Metal Sonic in a race to save Amy Rose. Robotnik never gives up... You gotta love a good villain!

  

  Robyn - In-Yer-Face Interfacer

  Baron von Blubba. You know, the whale in Bubble Bobble! When time runs out it goes ape and super fast... Waaaaaah!!!! (o_o)

  Damien - Good Word Writing Man

  Does 'Dragonforce - Through the Fire and Flames' from Guitar Hero: World Tour count? Talk about an unbeatable enemy... No? Well then there's always the Joker in Arkham Asylum and City - played with delicious glee by Mark Hamill. He won an award for it and everything.

• DC Comics fighting game Injustice will favour spectacle over violence

  When it was announced that Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm was working on a new fighting game set in the DC Comics universe, many wondered if we'd finally see Superman ripping out Green Lantern's spine and beating him with the soggy end. No, is the rather obvious but still very welcome answer.

  "We replaced gratuitous violence, like blood, arms and limbs being cut off, and all that with spectacular, over-the-top events," NetherRealm boss and Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon explains in the latest issue of US games mag, GameInformer.

  "In Mortal Kombat you might swing a sword at somebody, in this game you'll throw a car at somebody. In Mortal Kombat you might see blood come flying out from somebody when you punch them, in this game the person could fly through a building when you punch them. That's really the identity of this game - an over the top, extreme battle of the gods-type experience with interactive backgrounds."

  The emphasis, Boon goes on to say, will be on making the best use of your environment to deliver super-powered smackdowns, rather than relying on fists alone.

  Injustice: Gods Among Us slams into the concrete next year for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

  Published: 23/08/2012

• Bring On The Bad Guys!

  
  

  

  This week sees the release of Prototype 2, where the Alex Mercer, hero from the first game seems to have become the new bad guy to beat. So, in celebration of all things vile and villainous, the digital team has once again been gently prodded to share with you our favourite evil-doers. These are the people, who, in the style of Bugsy Malone, are "the very best at being bad"

  
  

  

  Glenn - Mad Mod

  Diablo is the Lord of Terror and a Prime Evil of Hell. That's a job title that alone warrants a spot on our best bad guys list.

  He manipulates his opponents using their innermost fears and then obliterates them with his Demonic strength and incredibly powerful Spells. The strongest Demon in Hell, named after the Devil himself, and seemingly indestructible (Read - he's been destroyed a number of times, even with the Arch Angels helping and he's still keeps ticking, like a malevolent Duracell bunny), devious and able to possess his enemies, Diablo is the Ultimate Bad Guy. And he's back in Diablo 3!
  

  

  Marc - Analyst to the Stars

  The little girl from F.E.A.R. - Alma Wade.

  She was scary. Honest. Like the girl from the Ring (Japanese version, obviously). The first corridor experience with her and the ceiling of blood is one of the scariest scenes ever in a game.

  The Music and Sound was eerie too. It was just all far too scary and Alma was the cause of it all.

  Carl - Design Doodler

  Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat. Because he's massive and I can't kill him!

  

  Ali - Queen of the Internet

  My favourite video game villain is Revolver Ocelot. He started life in Metal Gear Solid as a random gunslinger who you could kill if you (as Solid Snake) waited for him to need to reload his revolver - he really should have named himself something with more than 6 bullets!

  After cutting off his arm you assume that's the end of him, but he's more maniacal than you realise as he replaces his arm with that of your dead clone brother Liquid Snake. In a strange twist of surgery his arm takes over his mind so you have to beat him again in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Finally the epic family feud of a lifetime is over, but with Metal Gear nothing ever seems to stay dead. Roll on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance!

  James - Captain Category

  G-Man from Half-Life - not really a villain but still very creepy

  

  Nick - Colonel Category

  Wesker from Resident Evil.
  
  How many times did he die escape get retconned? Nigh on unkillable (until the muddle that was Resident Evil 5), the variety of his super powers (whatever the situation demanded, basically) and his smartass one-liners made him the man (ish?) well all loved to hate.

  Plus, sunglasses in those dark places, yes, THAT's how hard he was!

  Louis - Merchandising Meddler

  Wesker be top of my favourite picks, too. From his humble beginnings in a dual life as a scientist/Umbrella genius/STARS Leader, he goes about sacrificing his entire team in the name of science... and obtaining reliable combat data.

  After he is foiled by Chris and Jill, Wesker fakes his own death, escapes, and, not content with the destruction of Raccoon City, tries to continue his research away from the tenacious and meddling Redfield...

  But, Wesker is a bad guy and is therefore doomed to fail. After failing twice, mutating his body beyond belief and moving to Africa, he becomes nothing short of annoying and impossible to kill. The only way he is stopped is by being tackled by Chris and Eva and hundreds of bullets later, is engulfed in a pool of lava.

  Truly special, I'll always remember him for his rubbish sunglasses (worn at all times) and even worse Matrix-esque coat (RE 5). It was also really weird the way his accent changed too. He went from camp American to indignant English... I guess that cemented the transformation from mildly devious to completely evil!

  My second pick would be The Shredder (many Turtles games, but in particular, the 1989 TMNT Arcade Game). Not content with burning down April's apartment building, he kidnaps her too - forcing the Turtles into action and on a mission to end all missions. To a degree, menacing, but generally just annoying and incessant ; )

  Finally, I'd say my third pick would be Dr. Robotnik from Sonic. Generally, he's also just annoying, but also very devious and innovative. From trying to run Sonic down with a drill machine, to smashing Sonic with a giant wrecking ball, to trying to drown Sonic, to pitting Sonic against Metal Sonic in a race to save Amy Rose. Robotnik never gives up... You gotta love a good villain!

  

  Robyn - In-Yer-Face Interfacer

  Baron von Blubba. You know, the whale in Bubble Bobble! When time runs out it goes ape and super fast... Waaaaaah!!!! (o_o)

  Damien - Good Word Writing Man

  Does 'Dragonforce - Through the Fire and Flames' from Guitar Hero: World Tour count? Talk about an unbeatable enemy... No? Well then there's always the Joker in Arkham Asylum and City - played with delicious glee by Mark Hamill. He won an award for it and everything.

  Published: 22/04/2012

• The Beat 'Em Up Resurgence

  
  

  

  Round 1 - Storied Reputation

  Fighting games like Tekken and SoulCalibur have enjoyed an unprecedented resurgence over the last two years. But before Mitsurugi's katana skills and Paul Phoenix's extreme hairstyle came into style, old-school gamers were playing The Way of the Exploding Fist and Yie Ar Kung-Fu on their humble ZX Spectrums and Commodore 64s. These early fighters - which were inspired by martial-arts films - then paved the way for the most important fighting game of all time.

  Street Fighter II: The World Warrior kick-started the golden era of fighting games in the early nineties. It achieved this with a cast of eight international fighters and an epic (and allegedly accidental) combo system. Street Fighter then matured into a globally adored series and inspired everything from Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct to Virtua Fighter and Dead or Alive. But when the genre fell into decline in the years following the turn of the millennium, it seemed like the honeymoon period was finally over.

  

  Round 2 - Re-enter the Dragon Punch

  This all changed when Capcom pulled the pin on a grenade labelled Street Fighter IV in 2008 - because not only did the ensuing explosion revive the genre in spectacular style, it made it the strongest it's ever been. SFIV kept all the iconic characters and special moves from Street Fighter II, and by reworking the classic 2D controls with the new Focus and Ultra systems, it offered accessibility and depth in equal measure. But while Street Fighter IV set the benchmark, its 2010 follow-up, Super Street Fighter IV, smoothed out the kinks and offered unrivalled diversity.

  SSFIV could have been a lazy update. Instead it offered ten new faces and a choice of two Ultra Combos. This allowed each fighter to be played in two distinct styles. But Super isn't the end of the story, as it was ported onto Nintendo 3DS as Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, and on June 7th, Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition will be released. The inclusion of Yun, Yang, Evil Ryu and Oni will bring the roster up to 39, making Arcade Edition the definitive Street Fighter.

  

  Round 3 - The New (and Old) Challengers

  Street Fighter IV was the game that led the charge, and in its wake, other fighting games followed. A particular highlight was BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger in 2009. This beautiful 2D fighter was the spiritual successor to the intense Guilty Gear series, and much like its eccentric forbearer, BlazBlue was brimming with innovation. It featured a rapid tempo and an ingenuous Drive system which made each fighter unique. Then, when BlazBlue: Continuum Shift tightened up the gameplay in 2010, BlazBlue established itself as the hardcore fighter of choice. An accomplished port of Calamity Trigger is also available for the PSP.

  But the award for “most accessible fighting game” goes to the long running Vs. Series. This Capcom-developed series began in 1996 with X-Men vs. Street Fighter. After a long hiatus, it returned to Europe last year with Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars on the Wii. But while Tatsunoko is massively popular in Japan, it only has a niche following in the West. So when Marvel vs. Capcom 3 launched earlier this year with its familiar cast of celestial wolves, bionic commandos, thunder gods and less-than-jolly green giants, it stole the show in style. Its rabid tag-team combat and X-Factor system also allowed for many astonishing combos.

  

  Round 4 - Fatal Fantasy

  Another classic that made a comeback this year is Mortal Kombat. This brutal fighter was on a slippery slope after switching haphazardly to 3D, but with a series reboot having just been released on the 360 and PS3, Mortal Kombat is back in the realm of 2D gameplay where it belongs. We get the classic Raiden torpedo dive and Liu Kang bicycle kick, as well as a new super gauge that allows for gory X-Ray attacks. But Mortal Kombat's crowning achievement is the variety of content it offers, because even after finishing the seven-hour Story Mode, a Tower of 300 challenges awaits.

  If a fully fledged narrative isn't surreal enough, how about a PSP fighting game based on Final Fantasy? Dissidia Final Fantasy is a 3D fighter that brought together the heroes and villains from Final Fantasy I through to Final Fantasy X. This allowed RPG fans to fight battles between Sephiroth and Squall using a unique combat system that centred on HP and Bravery attacks. The recent sequel, Dissidia 012 Duodecim Final Fantasy, included more characters - including Tifa and Yuna from Final Fantasy VII and X - as well as a significantly expanded single-player mode.

  

  Round 5 - Fight for the Future

  When you add all these excellent games to the likes of Tekken 6, The King of Fighters XII, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny, it's clear that fighting game fans are being spoilt for choice. But what's next for the genre?

  In the coming months we'll see the release of Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus on the Wii and PSP (May 6th), the manga-inspired Arcana Heart 3 on the PS3 and 360 (June 24th) and Dead or Alive Dimensions joining Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition on the new Nintendo 3DS (May 20th).

  After that, we have the Capcom-developed Street Fighter X Tekken to look forward to next year, as well as the long awaited Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and the Namco Bandai-developed Tekken X Street Fighter. All in all, there's never been a better time to own an arcade stick!

  Published: 01/04/2012

• Mortal Kombat Review

  

  Klose Kombat

  If you're a gamer of a certain age say late twenties or older you'll remember Mortal Kombat as the brutal arcade fighting game which kicked up a storm in the nineties. But if youe a little younger, then your first taste could have been one of the less impressive 3D games. These tried to turn Mortal Kombat into something that it wasn, and after the lacklustre Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe it seemed the series would die a less than dignified death. But under the guidance of NetherRealm Studios, Mortal Kombat is finally back on form.

  This reboot is a return to the halcyon days of brutal kombat on a fixed 2D plane. Players use the analogue stick or d-pad to dash, jump and duck, while a Tekken-style control scheme offers punches and kicks in left and right variations. Die-hard fans will find the torpedo dives and bicycle kicks exactly where they remember them, and a new flexible fighting system lets you mix the special attacks with multi-hit combos. This makes Mortal Kombat the most technically rewarding game in the series' long and bloodied history.

  

  Fatal Fury

  NetherRealm have taken cues from the competition by introducing a super gauge and Tag-Team mode both firsts for Mortal Kombat. The super gauge can be charged to three levels and delivers Enhanced specials and combo-escaping Breakers. A maxed meter also unlocks an X-ray attack that similar to the Ultra system from Street Fighter IV but rather than a squeaky-clean assault, the results are more barbaric and range from severing shoulders with twin tomahawks to shattering skulls with megaton punches. The X-rays make full use of the Unreal Engine 3 as you see every bone break in agonising slow motion.

  But as savage as the X-rays undoubtedly are, the award for ost sadistic surgerygoes to the Mortal Kombat's new Fatalities. Every character has two ways to dispatch their opponent, and while Liu Kang decapitating uppercut is a bit obvious, the more inventive highlights include Noob Saibot playing tug of war with his opponent legs and Stryker punching a grenade through a chest cavity. Then when you factor in Stage Fatalities like runaway train executions, it clear that Mortal Kombat has earned its 18 rating with gutsy gusto.

  Finish the Fight

  Fighting games tend to focus on the multiplayer, but as an added incentive for single players Mortal Kombat features a fully fledged Story Mode that takes around seven hours to finish. The plot begins in an apocalyptic future where Raiden has finally lost to Shao Kahn. But before he bows out for good, the Thunder God sends a message back through time in an attempt to change the future. The story of the first three Mortal Kombat games is then relived across a parallel timeline where events transpire differently.

  

  Once you're seen this tale through to its bloody conclusion, it's time to test your skills in Mortal Kombat's Challenge Tower. This marathon is made up of 300 missions that range from battling a hoard of relentless zombies, to breaking boards in the classic Test Your Might mini-game. Clearing challenges is also a good way to earn Kurrency which can be traded in the Krypt for various goodies. These include the standard character art and soundtracks, as well as secondary outfits and hidden Fatalities.

  King of the Kill

  Which isn't to say they've neglected multiplayer at all. Mortal Kombat online game is full of choice; you can use the matchmaking system in the Ranked and Player matches to find opponents instantly, create your own 100 player Room and watch it gradually fill or start a Private Match between you and a friend. There also a new King of the Hill mode that lets you watch a fight as your Xbox Avatar at the bottom of the screen, then once the match is over you can score the winner performance out of ten. Just remember to score generously as youl eventually have to face them yourself...

  By returning to its 2D roots with 30 of its most iconic warriors, Mortal Kombat rejuvenates the series in style. But despite its many accomplishments it doesn't quite have the depth or sophistication to challenge the majesty of Super Street Fighter IV. But to criticise such a well-made game just because it doesn topple the current champion would be an injustice. Because after countless years of failed experiments, we finally have a Mortal Kombat that lives up to the series legacy. It been a long time coming, but it definitely better late than never.

  GAME's Verdict

  The Good

  • No genuinely new characters
  • The story mode is well realised
  • A more flexible combo system

  The Bad

  • Short and easy single player campaign.
  • Lots of cheap specials
  • Fatalities could be more brutal

  Published: 20/04/2011

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