Publisher: Midway
Ages: Mature
Parental
Advisory:
Gory action
Like the die-hard fighters in its infamous games, Mortal Kombat never seems to die. In this latest reincarnation, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Midway delivers a lethal dose of brutality and fight action, as well as a reinvented fight system. It's a bloody arena that unfortunately appeals to kids, but is for mature gamers only. It's also a worthy fight title that reinvigorates the series after a string of misfires and disappointments.
In this new chapter of good versus evil, two powerful sorcerers - Shang Tsung and Quan Chi - have joined forces in a quest for supreme immortality. As you would expect, to save the world, players engage in hand-to-hand and special-weapon combat, and execute secret moves and combinations with deadly body blows and new, gruesome fatalities.
The game features classic warriors from Mortal Kombat that include Scorpion, Raiden, Sub-Zero, Sonya Blade, and more, and there are a host of new, intriguing characters. Long-time players will find that each warrior has three fighting stances, and some special moves for well known characters have been changed or eliminated. The game features progressive physical damage that lets players view the demise of their opponents.
The game offers a single-play mode where players fight against a series of computer-controlled players, and there's a versus mode that lets two players compete against each other. player. Players can also enter the Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance "Krypt," which offers some 600 "koffins" that players can purchase with "kurrency" earned in the game. The "koffins" are filled with new characters, new arenas, alternate costumes, photos and other hidden surprises. Some surprises are worth a look, while others are disappointing.
Those familiar with the earlier games will find that the fight system has been completely redesigned. While the new system may take some time for these players to get used to, it's intuitive and effective to use. The animation in the game is first rate and Mortal Kombat has successfully made the transition from a 2D to 3D fight game.
As in prior games, the blood flows often and freely and the game's developers have come up with increasingly gory finishes. Some notables here include ripping heads off, pulling out hearts and other vital organs, shocking a body until it explodes and pulling a skeleton clear out of a body. Hits cause blood to spurt, and depending on the intensity, can result in small fountains, or splattering rivers.
Despite the gore, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance is a solid fight game that delivers the goods to die-hard gamers. And to top itself, it continually increases the blood and gore. Mature gamers who are into such things may find the game fun. But for younger players who enjoy fight games, there are many fight titles that are just as fun and serve far less blood, or none at all.
3/3/03 www.daytrum.com editorial staff
