Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

"Good for laughs, even though it isn't supposed to be funny..."

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
Oh boy....it's been a while since the days of Mortal Kombat. As you recall, Mortal Kombat is a series of games similar to Street Fighter. The only difference, gratuitous amounts of blood. The only difference this time however, is that Mortal Kombat has decided to go the platformer/beat em' up route.

In MK: SM, story mode can be done in single player or "ko-op". Where, as suggested, you play through the story of the game. As well, there is a versus mode, that was quite lackluster. It is basically the main game, except it is one on one, but with a couple more characters. And of course the rest is your standard, options menu, load/save game and all that. And as you've guessed from my review title, I find this game hilarious, even though it isn't supposed to be. Now, let's begin:

Graphics: 7/10

Now 7 is a pretty good score, in my mind. The areas of this game are actually rendered pretty well, although not on par with like say, Metal Gear Solid, these backgrounds can hold their own. For the most part, the characters are rendered well. Also, there's usually a thing or two going on in the background, which makes the area seem more alive. Case in point, the "Living Forest" area, I believe was what it was called. It was basically a very dark and gloomy area, typical for Mortal Kombat, and things in the background could help destroy enemies or beat on you. This isn't the only place where you'll see "live" backgrounds.

One shining moment in MK, is the opening sequence, which is rendered beautifully. Also, the menus in the game are fairly well organized and appealing, which is required for the early parts of this game.

Sound/Music: 6/10

Ok, this music, I find it pretty boring. Hell, half the time I don't even hear it over the screaming enemies. Punches sound like punches, kicks sound like kicks. It's also very satisfying to hear someone like Liu Kang break the bones of the enemy, it's very.....crunchy.

Next, the voiceovers. Good lord, these voices are really weird. I mean, aside from they can't act, some of the voices just seem a little out of place, something I can't quite put my finger on. However, Liu Kang's constant Bruce Lee-esque screams quickly remedy these problems.

And in case you love the awesome deep voiced announcer, he's back. Hell, he's back in like the first minute of the game, where he announces Kung Lao's name in his awesome voice. As well, the "Toasty!" guy is back too, he'll randomly pop in during one of your combos.

The only gripe I have with the music is this:

What happened to the awesome techno Mortal Kombat song? This game doesn't feel complete without it.

Story: 7/10

It's not mind blowingly awesome. And you've probably heard it before. Basically, you start up the game right after the end of the first tournament. Shang Tsung has lost, but is now breaking the rules and is now invading Earthrealm (your home). And now, both Liu Kang and Kung Lao are set out to stop this invasion. Like I said, not awesome, and a little cheesy, but hey, it's Mortal Kombat.

Gameplay: 9/10

Ah, this my friends, is the beef of the game. Although it has been done before, Mortal Kombat does it in an even simpler way. Your attacks are, square, circle, triangle, and R2. Square, circle and triangle are quick attacks, heavy attacks and launch attacks, respectively. R2 is throw. However, add in R1 + any of those buttons, and you can modify your attacks. Example: Kung Lao. A square is a light punch. R1 + square turns into a teleport. Also, X will make you jump so that you can follow up with air "kombat" (as the game would tell you), which is almost the exact same as ground kombat, minus the R1 button.

Additionally, MK: SM also features directional combat. For example: punch once forward, an enemy behind you? Point your analog stick behind, and Kung Lao or Liu Kang will punch backwards.

Ah, and what MK game would be complete without fatalities? The game creators weren't kidding when they said you'd probably get at least one fatality by the end of the game. I am not kidding when I say that one of the fatalities is: Right, Right, Right, Right and square. And ok, fatalities aren't supposed to be funny, but some of these are just funny for me. Hell...Kung Lao pulls out a rabbit and destroys people with it for one of them.

Also, most things in your environment are interactive. For example, you can throw people into walls, throw them off the ledge, beat them into spikes, etc. Hey, they even manage to incorporate some of this stuff into puzzles, which are not so challenging.

Re-playability: 6/10

Ok, don't kid yourselves here, although there are two unlockables for story mode, the play through again is just about as important as the fungus between your toes. I won't say who the two are, but playing with them does make it a bit more fun again, that is until you figure out all the moves for them at which time, the whole game repeats itself. And seeing as how you know exactly what to do, about all re-playability is eliminated.

The only reason to go again, is to finish collecting unlockables. Such as art work, fatality images, etc.

Overall: 7/10 (Not an average)

If you love these beat em' ups, you'll will most definitely enjoy this. However, I'd still suggest a quick rental first. The game is relatively short and you might actually be able to beat the entire game on a 3 day rental. But, this game is VERY fun with a friend. So if you have a friend, that loves to beat/break limbs/decapitate people as much as you, I'd suggest buy.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/19/05