Mortal Kombat 4

"Milking Another Drop From The Kash Kow"

There has always been an anarchic spirit in the 'Mortal Kombat' series that I have admired. The 'Kombat' games have never been the best in their field (perenially playing second fiddle to the likes of 'Street Fighter' and 'Tekken'), but their maniacal energy and shamelessness have always kept the series entertaining, if not intellectually stimulating. When you're playing a game that lets you rip a guy's heart out and everyone watching laughs out loud, you know you've got an interesting product on your hands.
But after three previous games and two movies, I think it is safe to say that the well is running dry. 'Mortal Kombat 4' is a fine installment in the series; everything is here. Fast action, blood and guts, sharp graphics.... but deja vu is setting in.
The game reminds me of watching the final season of your favorite television show. Nothing is wrong with it, per se, but everyone can sense that it's time to move on and try something new. The show tries to keep it fresh and interesting with new characters and gimmicks, but to no avail. Everything has a beginning and an end, and for 'Mortal Kombat,' the end is nigh.
And 'Mortal Kombat 4' has new characters, of course. And new gimmicks, like weapons and pseudo-3D action. And new fatalities to show off to your friends, natch. But anyone who has grown up with 'Mortal Kombat' will see the newfangled graphics of this fourth installment, check out a few of the new fighters and fatalities, and say ''cool,'' before moving on to something else.
By now, the blood is merely obligatory, and has lost any shock value it once possessed. (Remember the furor over the first 'Mortal Kombat?' How soon the critics forget when they find a new target to deem 'immoral.') And some of the new fatalities are amusing enough, but seeing them once or twice is enough, and then they just because a tired, post-match ritual. (''Well, I guess it's time to kill you now. Let's see.... crush your head, or eat your flesh and torch your skull.'')
In other words, it's pretty much the same ol' 'Mortal Kombat.' Weapons can be drawn and fought with, but the game is so fast and it takes so long to draw that you'll no doubt be beaten senseless before your weapon is out. Anything 'new' in this installment is quickly and mercifully forgettable.
The action is fast and furious, and entertaining for a short while. Punches fly, blood spurts, and special moves are thrown with wild fury. The controls aren't the finest in fighting games today, but the fighting engine is decent enough, and all in all, this is an above-average slug-fest in terms of game play.
The graphics are very good; quite possibly the highlight of the game. My only critique in this area is the repetetive nature of 'Mortal Kombat' levels - must it always be dark lighting, skulls, and thunderstorms? Otherwise, top notch visuals all around.
The sound is adequate; medicore music is the norm, and the sound effects are a bit overdone. ('Mortal Kombat' firmly believes in the 'more is more' philosophy.) All in all, the usual audio antics for the series.
This game has what might charitably be called a weak plot and storyline. It's redundant, confusing, and idiotic all at once, which is quite a feat when you think about it. I suppose that the plot is a minor consideration in a 'Mortal Kombat' game, but I figured I'd mention it.
All told, it's probably the best possible 'Mortal Kombat' game one could ask for. But the time for this series has passed, and there is little left for this game to do but to rehash the old material and throw in a few new gimmicks to keep people's attention. Let's hope 'Mortal Kombat' bows out before it gets hopelessly stale.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 02/19/00, Updated 02/19/00