GC 2008 - Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe Hands-On Preview - P2
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Mortal Kombat VS. DC Universe |
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The Characters
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.