Mortal Kombat : Armageddon (Wii) - Review by skarma

Introduction

The Mortal Kombat series has been released on almost every video game system known to man since the 1990's. This iconic series is probably most well known for it's over-the-top violence and gross-out fatalities such as ripping out spinal cords or breaking off arms etc. This brutal violence was so extreme, that it led to the founding of the ESRB rating system in America. Mortal Kombat Armageddon for the Wii, the latest title in the Mortal Kombat series, is basically the same game you played on the PS2 and Xbox 10 months before this release, only this time with added motion control. But is this gesture control the thing that will let the game down the most? Read on.

Gameplay

Mortal Kombat has already prided in the vast array of characters, and this game is no exception. Compared to the PS2/XBox version, the Wii version has one additional character, bringing the total number up to a massive 63. Each of these fighters have at least one fighting stance, into which they can execute a rather large number of moves (per stance), as well as most kombatants (official term) having an option to use a weapon with their own set of moves. The game plays pretty much identical to previous Mortal Kombat titles, though introduces a few new elements. Battles are fast and furious, where you can attack an enemy regardless where you are standing, and there really isn't much time to think about what to do, you just have to do it.

The Fatality system has been redone quite a bit too. In contrast to the insane amount of button pushing combos you had to do before, it is now reduced to a, what they call, 'Kreate-A-Fatality', where your character can dismember or beat up your opponent in a number of ways before actually killing them. This includes, but not limited to, kneeing their faces, ripping off their arm, tearing out internal organs and so forth. At the end of each round you are given a 5-second or so time limit to produce a single move, if you succeed then the timer restores again but with shorter time remaining for you to produce another move. You can chain moves together to ultimately create a Killer or Brutal fatality, which involves the opponent actually dying (compared to just loosing 300tonnes of blood when getting punched in the face). It isn't too difficult to produce a fatality, but it draws a line between experienced players and newbies depending on how many combos you can chain together. They aren't as strictly violent as traditional fatalities, but it's cool to see your actions affecting their fatality.

There is also a fleshed out Kreate-A-Fighter mode, where you can customize everything from their shoes to their stance, from their face to their fatality. You have to go through the 'Story' Mode to unlock Kredits (yes, everything is spelt with a 'K', its Mortal Kombat law) to purchase new faces and accessories for your Kombatants.

One new element, or rather, mode - is Motor Kombat. Thats right, a strange racing game similar to Mario Kart where you race along a track collecting Koins and weapons to kill your opopnent. It makes for quite an interesting multiplayer experience, but not really something you'd play on a regular basis. Just a strange distraction from the main game.

One new element, or rather, mode - is online. And the Wii version has been completely stripped of it compared to the Xbox/PS2 predecessors. Understandable since the first online Wii game hadn't come out till much later, but still a missed feature.

Controls

I guess this must have been what the 10 month port was all about - motion sensoring control. So, like many Wii games it can make or break the experience. Of course, in others it doesn't change much at all. Where does MKA sit? Well it makes the game much easier to control for sure. Controls such as punches, kicks and jumps are all executed with buttons, but the main motion work is the special moves. This involves in holding the B trigger down and making a variety of motions such as up-down, lower half circle, left right etc. It really replaces the need for a 3D control stick, and it works very well. During fatalities, you also have to make random motions to decapitate the enemy and what not. It doesn't actually tell you how to control it so you have to work it out for yourself, and seeing something you do in real life that happens on screen is quite neat. For example, twist the Wii Remote and you turn your opponent the other way, thrust the Wii Remote in and back out can rip an organ out, or moving the controller up and back like a fishing rod can tear off arms/heads etc. You can also use a Gamecube controller or a Classic controller if you aren't too fond of the new controls. Personally, I find the Wii Remote controls much easier than a classic controller, but I can imagine veterans will want to take command of a Classic or Gamecube pad.

Graphics

Very last-gen. Reason being the fact it is a game that was released on last-generation consoles. Mortal Kombat as a series have never really looked all that great, stiff animations combined with beautifully flowing blood is a strange mix. The environments look quite bland and the textures are quite muddy most of the time. That said, when your watching a part of your opponents body getting torn off, it does look quite neat and you realise they must have spent a bit of time working on removing parts of their body. The blood is also very nicely done, though it looks very thick. Punch an enemy in their face and their face starts bleeding and the blood runs down their body. Some neat touches here and there but nothing spectacular.

Sound

Again, like most MK games, the music is very... bland really. Rock-ish tunes or just grungy music to fit the mood of the level. Sound effects include satisfying crunching noises for breaking off a guys arm or just plain beating them up. It also wouldn't be a MK game if it didn't include the 'Å“'FINISH HIM' sound.

Final comments

If your a big fan of MK games and love the original formula, then I'd recommend picking up the PS2 or Xbox version, since they are mildly superior due to the online component and cheap price (as is expected). The Wii version is very true to the MK series, and gives MK veterans a fresh control scheme if they wish to use it. However, graphics are not what they could have been and lack of online and Puzzle Kombat may put some (very) hardcore fans off a bit. For MK newbies this is a good start, though you might be overwhelmed by all the characters, the action comes thick and fast and it just builds on all past Mortal Kombat experiences.

Pro: Motion controls well implemented. Builds on an already great game.
Con: Lack of online. Last-gen graphics. Minor problems with sensing movements.
Final score: 7.8

Share on Twitter or Facebook

Comments