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Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

• By Flynn De Marco
• September 15, 2008 13:38 PM PST
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We get our bloodied hands on the latest controversial incarnation of Mortal Kombat.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is the latest in a long line of Mortal Kombat fighting games, and will be the first game in the series not to receive a Mature rating from the ESRB. This release breaks new ground (for the MK Universe) by crossing over a cast of well known super hero and villain characters from the canon of DC comics. A new "free fall" fighting mode and rage meter have also been added to create a whole new Mortal Kombat experience.

A Heroic Line-Up

If there are two things Mortal Kombat is known for, it's gruesome fatalities and its cast of diverse and bizarre characters. While the fatalities may be slightly compromised, MK vs. DC still boasts a huge line up of interesting fighters. First there are the classic returning characters like Jax, Kano, Kitana , Liu Kang, Raiden, Scorpion, Shang Tsung, Sonya Blade and Sub-Zero. The list of kombatants is further rounded out with the addition of some of the greatest DC comics heroes and villains including Batman, Catwoman, Deathstroke, The Flash, Green Lantern, The Joker, Shazam, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each character has their own unique fighting style, and the DC characters definitely have a different feel than the MK fighters.

Rage Meters and Free Fall Kombat

New to this iteration of Mortal Kombat is the addition of free fall combat. In each of the various stages of the game, there is a free fall fighting opportunity. Knocking your opponent from a high place will automatically put you in sort of gravity-entangled free fall where the point is to cause as much damage to your opponent as possible before you hit the ground. There isn't much finesse here, mostly button mashing, but pummeling the crap out of your opponent as you plummet to a lower level is most satisfying.

Also new is the Rage Meter. Residing just under your life meter, the rage meter fills as you deal damage and taunt your opponent. Once the meter is full, a quick press of the shoulder button will allow you to unleash a flurry of brutal unblockable attacks on your unfortunate opponent for a short period of time.

Apparently the rumors of no blood have been greatly exaggerated.

The Joker's Wild

I got to play as the Joker in my hands on time with the game and thoroughly enjoyed it. This is the Joker I remember from the comics: sharp features, long nose and an impossibly wide grin that looks like it was carved into the flesh. His fighting style was great and his special moves were exactly what you'd expect from the Clown Prince of Crime: an extendable comic boxing glove, a pack of exploding cards and a comical exploding bomb to name just a few. His fatality is equally as clever: He pulls out a pistol and shoots it causing a small flag to pop out with the word "bang" on it. Then after a short, insane hopping dance, he pulls out a real gun and shoots his opponent in the face with it. Shocking, and yet perfectly appropriate for the character.

While many may feel Mortal Kombat vs. DC universe is a departure from the MK they know and love, there is a lot here to recommend. A great graphic-novel style and the addition of the DC characters are going to make it stand out from previous MK titles.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe launches on Nov. 10th for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Even Superman isn't completely invincible. Look ma, no Kryptonite!

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