Doctor Fishypants

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon was a disappointment. Shoehorning essentially every character from the MK universe into one game had great potential to appeal to fans of the series, but this kitchen-sink approach ultimately led to an unbalanced fighter that came across as a half-hearted effort. The new dial-a-combo fatality system was a cop-out that robbed each fighter of their originality and charm. The storyline, although admittedly not a strong point of most fighting games, was decidedly weak. And a disappointing variety of unlockables in comparison with previous games in the series left me feeling a little cheated.

Midway recently announced Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, a crossover title that pits MK veterans against DC comic heroes like Superman and Batman. I’ve never been a fan of comic books. They’re just not my thing. And while I’d probably appreciate a fighting game exclusive to the DC Universe, I cannot think of two franchises more ill-suited for a collaboration. Mortal Kombat is a series that thrives on ludicrous amounts of blood and gore. This franchise is single-handedly responsible for the creation of the ESRB. As its fighting engine begins to show its age, its fatality system should return to the forefront as its defining feature.

Numerous sources, however, are suggesting that Midway is aiming for a T rating with Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe – a move that, like Armageddon’s dial-a-fatality system, is likely to alienate fans like myself who enjoy the series for its ridiculous violence and over-the-top finishing moves. On the other hand, maybe adding restrictions like a T-rating will force Midway to innovate. Obviously, ripping off Batman’s head would be frowned upon by the DC folk. No one wants their superheroes brutally murdered again and again in typical MK style. Hopefully developers will have the artistic merit and skill to design new finishing moves that somehow satisfy Mortal Kombat fans and adhere to the T rating. And maybe Stryker will make a return in all his bomb-strapping, ear-plugging glory.