Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

"Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance finally released! ! ! !"

The Mortal Kombat series has always caught the media's eyes since day one......and this sequel is no exception!!!! This time round there using the 3rd world consoles/new aged consoles to do this.
They always brought the pain in their line up of history also bringing what is important to the series BLOOD! ! Will this title bring what it's predecessors brought when they had there shot? Well we will find out in this review!

NOTE: My score is also based on the comparrision to the other Mortal Kombat games.

Gameplay: 8/10
This game is extremely fun to play at times but can become repelling and repetitive. The controls are nice and easy and has a nice learning curve but there is a slight downside to the controls they can become slow and once you lose control you'll lose focus and probably start to 'button bash' - but this game is NOT for the button bashers the material arts here are authentic and traditional and will require some skill to master them. On the subject of mastering there is not allot to there moves, there are a limited amount of combos you can "dish" out - the main problem about the combos are you CAN'T LINK THEM UP! ! ! ! What I mean by that is that you can't link up a punch with a kick UNLESS it's on there move list - they don't use a 'free flow, multi attack' system like Tekken 4 has which is a major down side to this game. There are three types of fighting stances/ability each character has which is something new, and each ending in their very own weapon. But the unlockables make up for all that is bad in the game!! There are practically hundreds of unlockables in this game which I think makes it all worth while. You unlock things through buying a coffin using Koins, which you obtain as you progress through different aspects of hte game. - There are in fact 676 coffins!! You can unlock artwork to character endings and allot on each of the characters background history. To unlock anything you must create a 'Player Profile' to start and collect 'Koins' to unlock things in the 'Krypt' - which is basically a basement full full of the coffins, mentioned earlier, with the amount of Koins needed to open a specific coffin. There are also added bonuses such as Mortal Kombat's History (it will take throughout each games history and tell you a little something about it!) You can also hear the official song for the new sequel 'Immortal' by Adema. There is also a behind the scene of 'The Making of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'
Overall the game's gameplay is fun to play and would probably keep you going for a while and there are tons of unlockables to win which can be both rewarding and satisfing as well as disappointing sometimes : (
The actual feel of the gameplay may dissapoint also, as you WON'T get the same feel as it's 2D predecessors. The game is very limited to what it can really fully achieve, for instance the fighting in this game feels underachieved, were you go to attack someone but that attack doesn't feel as what it would feel in, for instance, Mortal Kombat 2 or 3. Basically you won't get thoughs "mouth watering" attacks in Mortal Kombat 1, 2, 3.

First Look: 10/10
When playing the game you won't help to notice the stunning backgrounds and the character detail. They put so much effort in and came out with an excellent result. I have to say that on a first look that this would probably be the best graphics up to date for the PS2. With this in mind you probably want to start really getting into the game as you have the chose to:
Create a 'player profile' - To start and collect Koins to unlock things in the Krypt.
Start your 'Konquest' - To become a true master of your moves in your journey of ''100 miles''
Start 'arcade' - this is were you earn the Koins which can be used later in the Krypt.

Story: 9/10
In ''Deadly Alliance'' there are 12 selectable characters and 8 new characters a total of 20 fighters! ! to unlock all leading in multiple endings. The deal this time is that there is a ''Deadly Alliance'', which consists of an unexpected team of Shan Tsung and Quan Chi which are trying to catcher souls to resurrect the 'Dragon King' - an Army. The story is good also the presentation but could do with some cutscenes.

Graphics: 10/10
Well I said it before and I'll say it again it's stunning that's all. The best I've seen in a long time! !
It makes you think how the Fatalities are don't they. Well there AWESOME! ! All gore and bloody! ! - On that, you can change the level of blood you won't in the options screen as well as the difficulty level.
The level of realism is beyond words their fighting stances are all correct in posture and movement. They even got the atmosphere done nicely when the winds blowing so are your characters clothes! !
The special moves are another spectacular thing to notice while playing and are easy to dish out.

Sound: 9/10
The sound is another aspect to notice while playing, it's amazing! ! What I like the most is both raidens lightning and sub zero's ice balls there sound is just spot on and sounds just like the movie! !
As for the background sound it's not that impressive, all authentic and nothing to keep you racing. This is a slower paced game and matches the slow pace music which is a shame. But other sounds such as ''Test your might'' and ''Test you sight'' are both great and a nice add to the game.

Play Time/Replayability: 8/10
Completing this game will take some time due to all the unlockables to unlock! There are literally hundreds of things to unlock by using specific Koins to match both colour and value your going to have a hard time collecting them but in the end, well worth it!! You'll also be challenged at trying to complete the Konquest mode which goes through every single characters move list for you to learn and master. Replaying this game can be satisfying once completed you can sit back and watch everyone's endings as well as increasing your knowledge in Mortal Kombat as you go through hidden/secret merchandise that you never even saw on shops! ! Also flick through concept art or art work of some of the characters. Once your done with all that one player stuff you can try and do multi player and gather allot of Koins and do bets to see who will be the victor in either ''Test your might'' OR ''Test your sight'' who knows? That's the beauty of it! !

Final Recommendation: 8/10
GET THIS GAME! ! ! ! This is a true collection to the Mortal Kombat series! ! And won't disappoint - BUY IT! And an Overall of 8! ! ^ ^ ^ ^

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/28/04, Updated 06/28/04