I think Mortal Kombat has finally returned to its roots.
The gameplay is actually a throwback to MK3 actually, where there is no 50-button inputs or switching to different fighting styles. It's simple, smooth, and fun. Of course there may be infinites, crazy juggling and glitches, but it feels great to pull off and combine attacks with special moves to show off some good damage. In addition to the moves, there's a special meter that allows you perform EX moves a la Street Fighter. To top the feature off, a new X-Ray move can be used with the meter's full, showing an interesting cinematic display of people destroying in what it seems to be, an anatomical view of body parts...ouch. To finish this paragraph, the fatalities...are very, very gruesome, but entertaining nonetheless...and there are more to unlock.
The graphics of the game is great. Each character are created very well. Also, during the gameplay as the characters take damage, the bumps, bruises and damage of the body remain on the character as real-time damage, which brings reality into a good play. The stages are throwbacks to the original three MK games, but very enhanced and alive, which I really do like. And yes, stage fatalities are back indeed.
The music of MK9 is not bad. Good musical scores and remixes of the past games definitely brings back the chill in your spine as you fight in dark places, subways, or other universes.
The story is really appealing, as it actually continues from Armageddon, but goes back to the events of the first three tournaments. The story mode is a great feature to try out. You'll discover great secrets, action, suspense, comedy (kudos to Johnny Cage) and tragedy in the engaging cutscenes. Moreover, you definitely get to see (though not play with) everyone's role in the story, which makes it lengthy, but satisfying.
The features are amazing as well. There's the classic ladder mode. It's great....expect the fact that, as usual, Shao Khan is a nightmare as a boss. However, the features doesn't end there obviously. Now, there is a tag team mode a la crossovers and Tekken Tag Tournament that makes it more crazy. Not only that, up to four players can take on each other and have a blood-filled fest. The trial mode is innovative a bit, but can be frustrating as objectives that looks simple can be very complicated and take forever to complete. MK Kart and Chess from the previous games may be gone, but Test Your "Whatever" series are fun mini-games to try out. Online mode is a good new mode, but may suffer from some lag sometimes. Other than that, it's fun, allows you and a friend to join, and a chance to show how good you are against the world.
Last, but not least, the rewards. The Krypt is back, but not alone. More areas are now part of it, meaning a whole of extras are waiting to be unlocked. Stuff like art galleries, storyboards, and costumes await your purchase and are great to have. But new fatalities and other hidden goods definitely make the Krypt worthwhile going to.
Overall, MK is back to its roots and big fans will enjoy it definitely. X-Ray moves, crazy fatalities, tag teams and events of MK 1-3 returns make the game a must-have.