DarkPrince   23 April 2011

Let me say one thing first, get this game even if you aren't really a fan of fighters due to the lack of content that usually accompany the titles or lack of many single player options. The game is huge and has loads of modes. There is a ton of stuff to unlock from concept art, extra character fatalities, Stage Music, Damage Models, alternative costumes etc. This game will keep you going for quite some time. There is plenty of stuff to do in terms of single player options, more than other other fighter on next-gen consoles. The game allows for 1 and 2 players as well as 3 and 4 players. Yup you can have a 2 on 2 tag mode where 4 people can each control one of the characters. This is something I am hoping gets implemented with SFxT.

So for all those who are still undecided let me help you, buy this now!!!!!

Straight from the get go there is an option for everyone's tastes. You can start at the traditional ladder mode or go over to the new challenge tower mode or jump right into story mode.

The game is extremely polished and you can see a lot of work was put into the game especially with regards to the little additions added for the fans. Streets names are on stages are named after the developers, old MK characters make appearances throughout the game, posters and billboards on certain levels. The amount of detail they have put into this is amazing.

The ladder mode is the basic defeat the opponent and move on, there are 10 challengers to lay the beat down on and then you are given a short ending sequence followed by an unlockable that can be accessed through the extra's menu, usually a character costume or special item for each character that gets displayed next to their statues in the gallery options.

The main bosses in ladder seem to be Goro, Kintaro and Shao Kahn. They each have a certain degree of super armor during the battles making it hard to get them locked in a combo at times. You do get a sense of accomplishment when beating them on the harder difficulty levels though.

Then endings are really well done, I am very impressed with the artwork that was done with them. Has a very nice look to it. Capcom could learn a thing or two from this. They are sort of still framce images with some movement within them. Very well drawn and detailed.

Story mode is another great addition. It auto-saves during this mode for you, mainly after ever fight. This modes lets you go through 16 acts with certain characters such as Scorpion, Smoke, Lui Kang, Sonya etc. This is really a great addition and I hope more fighters start taking this approach as well. The only other fighter with a story like this that comes to mind is Blazblue but I much prefer this one as it is not still pictures with pages and pages of text so it is easier to watch and get in to.

It was also great that the developers kept with the time line an allowed us to play with Human Cyrax an Sektor. Another one of those little details the developers added to the game.

The challenge tower is the place that will keep you going for hours and hours, every match is different and no two challenges are quite the same. You have to climb a ladder by completing each mission as you go up, there are 300 missions in total ranging from headless or armless combat, 1 vs 2/3/4, Test you luck/sight/might etc. An awesome inclusion to the game that will add hours of single player action. Test your luck can be very surprising at times as well

The stages are one of the best parts of this game everything is so alive and it never looks dull. The developers have put in so much work in these stages and you can see this by the little extra's they added as previously mentioned. Easily the best stages of any fighter on any game.

The sound effect are also some of the best I have heard in any game, it makes every punch and kick feel real. The special moves also have there own distinct sounds never really sounding the same as others. The music is another thing that needs to be praised, old MK fans will love it.

The fighting system has been revamped for the better. The best I have played in regards to any of the other MK titles. It really stands out. Most of the cast seems to be very well balanced and each cast member has the tolls to deal out the damage. It will take some time for the full potential of this system to come out and I'll be looking forward to seeing what people come up with. The new super meter adds some much needed depth to the game and the X-Ray moves are a great way to score a come back in the game. Breakers also help with those pesky long combo's . Easily the best MK system I have played by far.

The krypt makes a return and this is where you will unlock costumes, concept art, fatalities, Music etc. They really did a lot with this an I look forward to peoples reactions while they casually browse around the Krypt.

Unfortunately I have been unable to play this game online so am unable to say how stable the online play is. However with this much fun in single player mode I am sure multiplayer will be just as great.

For the Kratos fans I am sure you will be happy with what the developers have added to him especially with regards to when Fatalities are performed on him, these little touches like this really make the game stand out above others in certain departments.

Remember all those that pre-ordered the PS3 version are getting a nice little extra, the Klassic Kostume for Reptile. Awesome.

My verdict, 9/10