Percy Carey: Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe Review

[Each Wednesday, Complex columnist Percy Carey a.k.a. MF Grimm dives into the world of comic books with industry interviews, reviews and more.]

Once again, I’m doing a review, but this time, we’re shaking things up. To the ever growing list of topics in the Comic Book Corner, I’ve decided to add one for all you electric maniacs out there: video game reviews. And what a better way to start than with my review of the perfect combination of two worlds: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe…

Let’s be clear, I wanted to play this game because I wanted to see Raiden beat Superman into the ground. I don’t have anything against Superman, nor against DC, but the idea of the god of lightning (not the character from that OTHER comic publisher) taking out the last son of Krypton is just exciting. However, right from the main screen, which is Scorpion stalking Batman, there is so much more to the game than what most people would think.

For those classic Kombat fans, the old arcade ladder is still there. This time, there is a twist. Because there’s two side to the game, you can choose to have a Kombat character fight other MKs or DC or a mix of both. Same for the DC characters, but then again, that should be a given. But the real part of the game, is the story, where you are given the choice to follow either Mortal Kombat or DC. Either side you choose, it’s the world is ending and you have to save it. The real story is either side you chose, the most powerful character (Raiden and Superman) in each realm causes the most powerful villain in each realm to cross the boundaries of reality. This causes the two universes to begin merging, and the characters from each cross lines. Eventually the two sides fight to save their respective side, when it is revealed that the two villains (Shao Kahn and Darkseid) have merged, thus causing the merger. You have to split them to save both universes.

So that’s the game in a nutshell. Now my thoughts. The game is killer. I love it. The moves are amazing, the graphics are stunning, and the storyline is enthralling. That been said, I do have a few things that I’d like to state. The new kombat modes, the close up, falling, and busting through walls are cheap. In the right arena, you can win a fight unfairly fast. It kind of takes the fun out of a hard hitting duel when one side can win by knocking you down to the lower level. On top of that, the dialogue for the storyline is, I’m sorry comic gods, poor. It’s clunky, and frankly is at times, not the way a human would even speak. Beyond that, I’d like to see some better characters from DC in the game. But that’s my own personal gripe.

Beyond all that, I can honestly say, if you are a comic fan or a gamer, you should get this game. Even if you beat the story, arcade mode is still great fun, and each character has an epilogue, like Sub-Zero staying and becoming a superhero. Beat everything, get all the endings, and it is still one of the best party games out there. Everyone can find their character and duke it out.

The games that are being released currently have some of the highest reviews, and MK/DC is no exception. Strong story, smooth game play, and Lex Luthor in his battle suit. Well, two out of three isn’t bad. The game has been stream lined from the other story based MK games, so the unnecessary frills have been taken out. They’ve finally left it with everything a fighting game needs: a story explaining the two sides coming together, and an arcade fight mode. So, if you like fight games, dig out 60 bucks and get the next generation. But let me warn some of you now: if you are a die hard fan of Johnny Cage or Martian Manhunter, I mean there is no one else you like, you dress like them for Halloween, brace yourself. They were not included. Begin weeping. For everyone else, begin the battle for the safety of the world.

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