Get ready for Kombat again with "Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe," the latest fighting game in the "Mortal Kombat" series. Before I go on, I have to admit I will never understand why the ninja franchise is taking on the DC Comics superhero franchise. It's so random.
The synopsis: MK villain Shao Kahn and DC villain Darkseid are both defeated in their universes, blasted through portals and fused together to make superboss Dark Kahn. The MK and DC universes then merge, and Dark Kahn begins filling both side's characters with rage that feed his own power.
Each universe suspects the other side is invading their turf so everyone is pretty angry. In the story mode, you can choose to play the game from the perspective of the Mortal Kombat characters (Baraka, Jax, Kano, etc.) or the DC characters (Batman, Captain Marvel, Catwoman and so on).
I chose the DC characters since I do not know anything about the Mortal Kombat universe. You get to play first as Flash and are pitted against Deathstroke, an assassin with a gun and sword. Whoever wins two out of three rounds wins the match. All the characters are super-buff and the battles are dark and deadly.
The new gameplay modes are "Klose Kombat" and "FreeFall Kombat." In "Klose Kombat," you and your enemy are very close (duh) and you are smashing through walls as you press the buttons. In "FreeFall," you are both falling and fighting at the same time if you press the right buttons. I think "Freefall Kombat" is the coolest part of the game.
If you get beaten up, your character actually has visible signs of damage like bruises and bleeding. I found that impressive. During a fight, you also can enter "rage mode" and do more damage than usual. Unfortunately, Dark Kahn can block and attack you in this mode, so it's a so-so strategy. I don't use it often.
For those interested in the characters, here is the Mortal Kombat list: Baraka, Jax, Kano, Kitana, Liu Kang, Raiden, Scorpion, Shao Kahn, Sonya Blade, and Sub-Zero. The DC Universe characters: Batman, Captain Marvel, Catwoman, Darkseid, Deathstroke, the Flash, Green Lantern, the Joker, Lex Luthor, Superman, and Wonder Woman. My favorites are Sub-Zero and Deathstroke.
The gameplay is fun, but not the kind of fun where I can play for hours. It would be more like 45 minutes. Like it's really fun, but it just gets repetitive. Even online mode turns routine. I'm going to give it a 6 out of 10 because it's a unique idea but I'm just not really into it. To be honest, there's little strategy involved, just button-mashing and luck. See ya!
Liam Gascoin, 13, one of the nation's youngest gaming critics, writes exclusively for The Times. Reach him at TheVidKids@aol.com.
