The Games Convention version of the game has 10 playable characters:
Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya, Shang Tsung, Kitana, The Joker, Catwoman, The
Flash, Superman and Batman. The two new additions are Kitana and the
much expected and hoped for, The Joker. There were also 10 empty slots,
5 on the MK side and 5 on the DC side, which makes 20 characters in
total. This can, of course, change at any time and probably will.
Every fighter currently has about 7, 8 special moves, which is more then
ever before. The fighting styles are gone, which may not be a big loss.
If nothing else it adds simplicity to the game. The best thing is that
every character has remained true to their own old selves. Scorpion is
still Scorpion, Sonya is Sonya more then ever before in every single
aspect. Superman is really this iconic figure that nobody and nothing
can compare to, Flash is a real flash and the Joker... the Joker is...
just amazing.
The Joker
He is at the same time funny, not serious, but also evil and deadly. And
it will be a grave mistake to underestimate him. He always has this
typical Joker smile on his face and he definitely manages to put it on
your face too. His arsenal of special moves is really great. He has play
cards to throw, bombs on his disposal, a big, red, expendable boxing
glove used to hit the opponent on a distance, and others... I actually
had the opportunity to perform his Fatality too. Although I already knew
what to expect, the surprise wasn't ruined. “Finish Him”, I heard. Then
I pressed Backward, Forward, Backward, and then Square (or maybe it was
Forward, Backward, Forward and Square, don't really remember) and
then... well he performed his Fatality. The Joker took a gun out,
pointed it in the direction of the head's opponent and “BANG”... nothing
happened, nothing except the small flag, that came out of the gun with
the word “BANG” on it. Then he went a few steps back and started jumping
around, laughing hysterically, which is btw really cool and totally
brings at least a smile on your face. Then exactly when his opponent
thought that everything is over, the Joker pulled out another gun and
shot them. Then he went back to jumping and laughing.
If I have to
compare this Fatality with something from the past I will have to pick
the best Friendship and the most surprisingly Fatality from the good old
days of Mortal Kombat II and combine them. One thing I can say. If all
Fatalities/Brutalities in the game are made like this one... man, I will
not care that I cannot pull Superman's spine out even for a second,...
well... OK... maybe I will... but just for a second.
Kitana
The princess of Edenia is back in all her gracefulness. And... she
hasn't forgotten to take the fans with her. As special moves Kitana has
her fans, the flying punch and much more. Unfortunately Kitana's
Fatality was not in the game but I hope that it will be at least as half
as good the Jokers.
The other 8
Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya, Shang Tsung, Catwoman, The Flash, Superman
and Batman have already been playable at Comic-Con, so I will not spend
that much time on them. I will just tell you about the most memorable
moments of playing some of them.
The first must be Batman's victory stance. He turns his back on the
camera wrapping his cape around himself. A really cool moment to
remember, as I said to Ed Boon.
Superman... well he just stands there, self confident and ready to kick
your ass. Every single special move of this one incorporates both
gracefulness and amazing power. We have heat vision, ice breath,... His
Brutality looks like the one Sheeva had in Mortal Kombat 3. He punches
his opponent into the ground.
The Flash is just another character that was made really great.
Currently he is a powerful fighter in almost everybody's hands. And as
far as I know, it was even worse before. I really enjoyed that speed
thing. The effect is really cool.
Catwoman. Women, leather... leather women... keep focused, this is a
review of a T-Rated game remember. Another great looking DC character.
Her special moves involve acrobatics also her whip.
Shang Tsung looks more darker then ever before. He has his fireballs
special move, the soul steal. He can also teleport by melting into the
ground and appearing behind the opponent. Another special move allows
him to switch places with his opponent. I really wish that they could at
least allow him to be able to morph into the character of the second
player. All the data is there, so if done right, it should be
technically possible.
Kerri Hoskins said in one Interview “Sonya is a bad ass!” and she really
is. This time more than ever. Beauty and though military look and
expression on the face in one character. Amazing. Of course she lacks
the gracefulness of Kitana. Bicycle Kick, Energy Rings, Kiss of death,
it is all in.
Sub-Zero's special moves have at least doubled in number. He can now
throw ice in practically every direction, can teleport and a lot more.
The effects are amazing here. His special moves look really well done.
Scorpion is probably the most discussed characters of the them all. We
already know a lot about him, so I will not spend a lot of time with
him. He can of course throw his spear (I really want to see the reaction
of everybody if the team announces some day that Scorpion will no longer
has his spear move.), teleport, hell summon, a cool new defense move
where he sets himself on fire and so on...
The great thing about all characters is that their personality has
deepened. Everyone looks more themselves then ever before. I don't thing
that we had a Mortal Kombat game with such a strong character presence
before. This simply wasn't possible. But now that the technology has
evolved, Midway has taken a really good care of everything.
