Asterisk73

This game is a fantastic fighting game for both newcomers and hardcore MK fans. If you have played fighting games in the past, this one will not reinvent the genre. However, it does present an incredibly accessible entry that is complex in its own simplicity. Here's a breakdown: Mechanics 9/10: The combo system and special moves are a bit easier to pull off than in hardcore fighting games like Street Fighter and Blazblue, but chaining moves together and perfecting character strategies requires a good deal of practice and fighting know-how. In short, this is a game that anyone can pick up and have fun with, but it is intricate enough that it will satiate the competitive desires of the hardcore crowd. Graphics 9/10: The game looks amazing. The character models are polished and detailed, and the blood and violence effects are superb. As the battle progresses, damage inflicted leaves a permanent mark on the character giving the game a whole new level of brutality. The stage backgrounds are the most visually striking portion of the game. Each stage has a beautiful, fully dynamic background with colorful images and characters that adds to the experience of each fight. Replay 8/10: A major problem a majority of fighting games run into is longevity. MK answers this issue with a myriad of "kontent" for the player to enjoy. Most fighting games have turned away from unlockables and bonus content in lieu of DLC, but Mortal Kombat is not one of those games. There are tons of different modes and mini-games to keep you entertained for weeks, including online play. The challenge tower mode alone features over 300 stages of progressing difficulty, assuring that the user will be spending a long time with this game. Sound 9/10: MK features all of the old iconic sounds from previous MK games ("FINISH HIM") and a slew of new sounds and music that truly enhance the experience. On my first night of play, I played the game on my sound system with the bass turned up, and each hit and throw was so satisfying. The X-Ray moves feature incredible bone crunching and splintering effects that increase the violent glory the game is intended to exhibit. Overall 9/10: Mortal Kombat is a well-polished, fantastic entry into the fighting genre. If you are not in to fighting games, this one won't change your mind, but if you do enjoy picking up the sticks and throwing down--this one is for you.

This game seems like a rushed project intended to capitalize on a unique idea. Homefront's story is an interesting ad fresh concept with extremely poor delivery. Other than the story, very little about this game is new or interesting. It has the exact same controls as Call of Duty, except you are fighting Koreans and Japanese rather than people of the Middle East. The outline of the story is neat, but the characters and level design are incredibly boring. A rental at best.

This game has the most value if you were a big fan of the anime at any point in your life. The battles retain the intensity and over-the-top nature of the battles from the show without the 3 episodes of filler in which the dueling fighters take turns swapping threatening monologues. The mechanics are not perfect, but the fighting and destruction effects are true to the show aka you can warp behind an opponent's limp body and slam him into a mountain or building and then obliterate him with an energy blast. The controls are simple, the fighting is fast paced, and if you can get past the fact that the game is not as tightly balanced as Tekken or Street Fighter then you will definitely find something to enjoy.

If you ever watched the Fist of the North Star anime or enjoyed any of the games from Koei's "Warriors" series, you'll enjoy this title. Unlike many adaptations of animes, mangas, etc. this game follows the FotNS canon quite well. The gameplay is simplistic, but fits the type of action seen in the show. There is a LOT of playtime available in this title as each character from the original manga/anime has their own story mode and "dream mode". If you come into this game expecting a revolutionary single player experience, you won't find it. However, if you enjoyed the show and want a game that follows it faithfully, definitely pick this one up.