Nemesis_
Member
Developer: Midway Amusement Games
Publisher: Midway Games
Website: http://www.worldscollide.com
Price: USA $59.99 (Standard Edition), $69.99 (Limited Edition) // Europe: £29.99 (Standard Edition), £39.99 (Collector's Edition) // Australia AU$119.95 (Standard Edition)
Platform: Xbox 360 & Playstation 3
Release Date: NA: 16th November 2008 // PAL: 21st November 2008 // Australia: 20th November 2008
Genre: Fighting (Crossover)
Game Rating: ESRB - T // PEGI - 16+ // OFLC - M15+ (Unconfirmed)
Something Awesome I Had To Throw In: Mortal Kombat Theme Song - Unofficial Music Video
Something That We Should Never Return To: Mortal Kombat 4 - Jax Ending (Must Watch!
The collector's edition contains velvet box packaging with an exclusive removable print designed by Alex Ross, as well as a 16 page comic book that was written by John Tobias, who returned to the Mortal Kombat series after the horrendous Tao Feng in order to help Boon out. A making of documentary will also be included, but a PS3 exclusive for the collector's has an included digital version of the comic book
Customers who pre-order at Gamestop will also receive a limited edition lithograph, shown below, which will be signed by Ed Boon.
Those who pre-order from Game Crazy, however, will receive a different lithograph.
(Click to enlarge)
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (commonly abbreviated MK vs. DC) is an upcoming scheduled crossover fighting game from Midway Games in the Mortal Kombat series, which will be released on November 16, 2008. The game will contain characters from both the Mortal Kombat franchise and the DC Comics Universe. The game's story will be written by comic writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray. This will be the first game in the franchise that will not bear the "M" rating by ESRB
The game is running on Unreal Engine 3, a first for the series. Just like Deadly Alliance, Deception and Armageddon, MK vs DC will feature real time damage to the characters on screen. This comes in the form of bruises, blood stains, as well as broken and/or torn clothing. An example was given that Scorpions mask could be knocked off during battle if enough hits to that area occurred. Naturally, to keep with the rating, I don't think we'll be seeing heaps of blood pools on the ground like in previous games
In addition, all characters have one fighting style rather than the system seen in previous Mortal Kombat games. The only exception to this is Baraka and Deathstroke, who both have their own unique weapon styles in order to compensate for their abilities in game.
Finally, Fatalities are in the game however they have undoubtly been toned down a bit in order to keep with the games licensing issues. To set things straight, all Mortal Kombat characters will have fatalities, as well as ALL DC VILLAIN CHARACTERS! In addition to this, DC Heroes will have heroic brutalities, which finish off characters but do not kill them. These can be some rehashes of previous fatalities, as in one video I saw Jax's MK3 "Smacking Into Ground" fatality being used by Superman, but the end result having a character move around in the ground to signify that they are not dead. My point? Brutalities may not be all that lame after all.
I've yet to play the game though ^_^
Similar to previous games in the series, MK vs DC will support full online support with a lobby like system designed to recreate the arcade feel.
Single Player
It has also been confirmed that there will be no mini games akin to Mortal Kart Racer or Puzzle Kombat, found in previous titles.It has been announced that the game will feature a story mode, playable from two different perspectives, one from the DC side, and one from the Mortal Kombat side. Depending on which side players choose, they will see the characters from the opposite universe as the invaders of their own. Ed Boon has also confirmed that the player will have to play as all the characters at different points in the game, which will be split into chapters.
Fighting Mechanics
The designers have promised that they have done away with the general system that the previous three Mortal Kombat games utilised. There are no longer any signs of the dial-a-combos that the classic games each utilised, and instead players can now (alledgedly) string together whatever moves they please to create their own combos, similar to what players were doing when Mortal Kombat 2 came out. In addition, the designers have been looking to implement special moves more into combos rather than having them stand on their own.
In addition, there have been some new introductions into the game, several new modes which mix gameplay up a bit. These are Klose Kombat, Free-Fall Kombat, as well as the Rage Mode, which has been made infamous here on NeoGAF with the classic Wonder Woman screenshot.
Intertwined with the fights there will be new gameplay modes featuring totally different game dynamics to the usual fight. These modes are: -
taken from Wikipedia =D
Free-Fall Kombat
Activated automatically after throwing the opponent to a lower level in the arena. The players can fight in the air during the fall, which builds up their super bar. When a player's super bar is full, they can activate a strong, character specific special move which slams the opponent on the ground, ultimately ending the Free-fall Kombat sequence.
Klose Kombat
Mode you can enter during a fight, causing the characters to lock with each other and the perspective to change to a close-up of the two, to make for an interval of close-quarters fighting (much like in boxing games). A test your might mini game is also worked into the gameplay. While fighting in certain areas, the player can smash the opponent through a series of walls. The player on the offense mashes buttons, alike to the classic test your might mini game, to increase damage, while the player on the defense mashes buttons to decrease damage taken.
Rage Mode is when your second gauge bar is filled, then your damage to your opponent is much stronger, and you show no signs of damage to the other player's attacks
Unfortunately, not all characters from both sides of the game could be included in MK vs DC universe, however Ed Boon has stated that it's kind of a "Best Of" from the Mortal Kombat series. There are eleven confirmed characters appearing from each side, however it is unknown yet if there are any additional hidden characters. First of all though, the MORTAL KOMBAT side!
And now, the guest side, DC UNIVERSE!
Note: Previews will eventually replaced with reviews post launch.
Gamespot:
The game's fighting system, both the proper melee and special moves, along with the various klose kombat and freefall kombat mehanics, felt good. The simple attack layout made combat manageable and allowed for some impressive combo chains, while the different in-close and free-falling modes didn't seem as obtrusive as we expected. In addition, the game's finishing move system, which mixes traditional fatalities with new brutalities for the heroic DC characters, seems to work fine and didn't bog down the pacing
Based on what we played, MK vs. DC Universe is shaping up to be one of the strongest entries in the MK series in a good while. The revamped fighting system feels familiar but freshened up
IGN:
By this point, I'd expect fans to know that Finishers are in the game for DC villains and Mortal Kombat characters while DC heroes get Brutalities, the title moves at 60 frames per second, the game is getting a Teen rating, and so on. Still, it was still cool to see Captain Marvel grab Kitana by her arms, raise her towards the sky, and shout "Shazam!" so that a bolt of lightning came down and struck her; it was cool to see the kombatants brawl through the Guardian's Green Lantern-themed base; and it was cool to see Baraka climb on top of the Joker's beaten body and send his blades through the clown's chest for a Fatality. The best thing I saw? One of Liu Kang's two Finishers calls an original Mortal Kombat arcade cabinet from the air to crush his opponent.
REVIEWS
UK - PSW (8/10)
Mortal Kombat is an instant hit of no-nonsense gaming
Tremendous fun
An accessible brawler thats merged both worlds in an interesting way
Germany Games TM (8.5/10)
Without exaggeration one can say that this is the best Mortal Kombat game in many years
Spain SUPER JUEGOS XTREME (8.5/10)
This Mortal Kombat has everything we can expect and an amazing depth.
A very strong Story Mode that could inspire other videogames
As per combats themselves, they are surprisingly fluid and depth
One of the key added values of this title is the design of the moves: perfectly granted to each character
MK titles are not only fun to play but they are fun to watch as well; other fighting titles like Virtual Fighter or Soul Calibur may sometimes be more sophisticated in terms of gameplay but they have a real lack of brutality in combats like MK does!!
US - IGN (7.5/10) [Text Review or Video Review]
7.5 Presentation
Batman and Scorpion do battle as you navigate the menu, and the story is explained well through cutscenes. I could do without between-mode load screens. The online lobby is a bit bare.
7.5 Graphics
I dig the tearing costumes and bruising, but there are goofy clipping issues with capes and whips. The actual characters look cool, but the backgrounds can be crappy -- just look at the Batmobile.
7.5 Sound
The music is just generic, but the sound effects for Batarangs and fireballs sound good. The cries of characters doing Supermoves can get repetitive and some of the voices are a bit too cheesy.
7.5 Gameplay
It's Mortal Kombat for better or worse. Moves sometimes feel sluggish, but the cool ones make up for it. Free Fall Kombat and Klose Kombat deal damage but don't always look great doing it.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
Sadists will find the Kombat Challenge enough to keep this disc spinning and there's bound to be an online community, but others will feel like they've seen it all pretty quickly.
Xbox Live Marketplace:
Story Mode Preview - 104MB
Super Moves & Pro Moves - 244MB
Fighting Mechanics Video - 194MB
Kreating The Comic - 132MB
Alex Ross - Kollector's Edition - 132MB
MK Villain Picture Pack - 188KB (100MSP)
MK Hero Picture Pack - 188KB (100MSP)
GameTrailers:
Official Announcement: (SD | HD)
E3 2008 Trailer: (SD | HD)
Comic-Con Dev Walkthrough: (SD | HD)
Story Introduction: (SD | HD)
Fatality Fridays - Green Lantern, Raiden & The Flash: (SD | HD)
Fatality Fridays - Sonya, Catwoman & Sub Zero: (SD | HD)
Fatality Fridays - Liu Kand, Batman & Baraka: (SD | HD)
Other Links:
Total Mortal Kombat Another Mortal Kombat fansite that is run by a fellow Aussie!
MK5.org
1. Strange Forces
Complete Story Mode DC Universe Chapter 1 - 10 points
2. Invasion
Complete Story Mode DC Universe Chapter 3 - 15 points
3. Unlikely Alliance
Complete Story Mode DC Universe Chapter 5 - 20 points
4. Worlds Collide
Complete Story Mode MK Chapter 1 - 10 points
5. Infiltration
Complete Story Mode MK Chapter 3 - 15 points
6. Deadly Alliance
Complete Story Mode MK Chapter 5 - 20 points
7. Worlds Remade
Complete the MK side of Story Mode - 50 points
8. Universe Reborn
Complete the DC Universe side of Story Mode - 50 points
9. The Pugilist
Perform Klose Kombat - 25 points
10. Free Fallin'
Perform a Free-Fall Transition - 25 points
11. Combo Champion
Perform a 10-hit combo in Arcade Mode - 20 points
12. Fatality!
Do anyones Fatality - 10 points
13. Heroic Brutality!
Do anyones Heroic Brutality - 10 points
14. Mortal Kombat Champion
Finish Arcade Mode with an MK character - 25 points
15. Super Hero
Finish Arcade Mode with a DC character - 25 points
16. DC Arcade Champion
Complete Arcade Mode with all DC characters - 50 points
17. MK Arcade Champion
Complete Arcade Mode with all MK characters - 50 points
18. The Ultimate Evil!
Complete Both Mortal Kombat and DC Universe Stories - 20 points
19. The Competitor
Play 200 Versus Matches - 20 points
20. The Finisher
Perform all finishing moves in the game - 100 points
21. Tarkatan Champion
Complete Baraka's ***** Challenge - 5 points
22. The Caped Crusader
Complete Batman's ***** Challenge - 5 points
23. Cat Burglar
Complete Catwoman's ***** Challenge - 5 points
24. The Assassin
Complete Deathstroke's ***** Challenge - 5 points
25. Fastest Man Alive
Complete the Flash's ***** Challenge - 5 points
26. Green Lantern's Light!
Complete Green Lantern's ***** Challenge - 5 points
27. Bring It On!
Complete Jax's ***** Challenge - 5 points
28. Clown Prince of Crime
Complete the Joker's ***** Challenge - 5 points
29. The Mercenary
Complete Kano's ***** Challenge - 5 points
30. Outworld's Princess
Complete Kitana's ***** Challenge - 5 points
31. Evil Genius
Complete Lex Luthor's ***** Challenge - 5 points
32. Shaolin Monk
Complete Liu Kang's ***** Challenge - 5 points
33. The Thunder God
Complete Raiden's ***** Challenge - 5 points
34. Get Over Here!
Complete Scorpion's ***** Challenge - 5 points
35. Master of Souls
Complete Shang Tsung's ***** Challenge - 5 points
36. SHAZAM!
Complete Captain Marvel's ***** Challenge - 5 points
37. Special Forces
Complete Sonya's ***** Challenge - 5 points
38. Grand Master
Complete Sub-Zero's ***** Challenge - 5 points
39. The Man of Steel
Complete Superman's ***** Challenge - 5 points
40. Princess Diana
Complete Wonder Woman's ***** Challenge - 5 points
41. Arcade Master
Beat Arcade Max without using a continue - 20 points
42. Supreme Champion
Finish ***** Challenge mode on MK and DC - 50 points
43. Less Talk, More Fight!
Win a Chat Room Match Online - 20 points
44. Challenger!
Play 10 Ranked Matches Online - 10 points
45. Online Champion
Win 25 Ranked Matches in a row - 50 points
46. Relentless!
Play 100 Chat Lobby Matches Online - 50 points
47. Humiliation!
Get a Flawless Victory Online - 20 points
and 4 x Secret Achievements worth 160 Points.