The Fighter That Hooked Me
I have a confession to make; I did not play much Mortal Kombat before this game. I had a copy of Armageddon, but something about it just didn't grab me. In fact, that's something that can be said about my previous experience with fighting games: I understood the appeal a game like Street Fighter IV, but something about it just didn't grab me.
Enter Mortal Kombat (or MK9, if you want to get technical about it). As someone who never connects with fighting games, I initially saw it on the release schedule and figured I would give it a pass. It would be just another game I would play for a few days, then forget about entirely. A few days after the game released, I decided to watch Giant Bomb's Scrub League competition. I was instantly transfixed by the style, the fluidity, and the accessibility on display. If these "scrubs" can learn how to teleport across the playing with Scorpion, why couldn't I?
As soon as I bought it, I realized just how much there was to this game. It had a real campaign mode. A good one, too! All I got with Street Fighter IV and Soul Calibur III was a pure arcade experience, with a few half-hearted "bonus" modes. As a newcomer, it's the first thing I hopped into, and it practically taught me everything I needed to know about fighting well.
As a fighting game "scrub" myself, I could never commit myself to properly learning the combos for Ryu. I was constantly getting negative reinforcement for growing up without an arcade at the ready. Mortal Kombat ditches the steep learning curve and makes an effort to teach me the basics. Pretty soon, I was throwing Scorpion's rope hook, doing bicycle kicks with Liu Kang, and mastering Kano's roll. For the first time, I knew how to properly play a fighting game!
All of that was pretty tangential and personal, so I apologize for that. You probably want some of the basics. The story is engaging; it doesn't lose a newcomer like myself, yet it seems to do plenty of callbacks for the fans. The challenge tower's 300 levels will keep me busy for a long time. Arcade ladder is your typical arcade experience, and if my research is accurate, it's similar to MK games of old. The minigames are a nice, amusing touch, and there's plenty to unlock.
I only have two complaints.
1. Shao Khan is brutal. The only way I can beat him is through spamming ranged attacks and grapples. It's disappointing, especially since the rest of the game is so friendly for beginners.
2. The online matchmaking needs some work. I can usually find a game with a stable connection, but some games I'm matched to turn into slide shows, because the other person is pinging out.
If you like fighting games, you really should check this out. If you aren't, give it a rent and see what you think! You may be surprised at how much of a fighting fan you are.
