Mortal Kombat is back to claim its stake as the beat'em-up ruler!
Baraka, Cyrax, Ermac, Jade, Jax, Johnny Cage, Kabal, Kano, Kitana, Kung Lao, Liu Kang, Mileena, Nightwolf, Noob Saibot, Quan Chi, Raiden, Reptile, Scorpion, Sektor, Shang Tsung, Sheeva, Sindel, Smoke, Sonya, Stryker and Sub-Zero, but you can unlock more as usual (there is no spoiler here, guys).
This brand new MK has got quite a few modes. There is the classic arcade ladder mode, a totally welcome and carefully-designed story mode in which you assume the role of all the earth-defending characters as the chapters advance and the "Challenge Tower", in which you must complete the requested challenges. Some of them are: The popular "Test Your Might", brought back from the original MK game, "Test Your Sight", following an object hidden under a cup or skull and "Test Your Strike", destroying a specific block in a stack. Four player tag-team option is also available, allowing two players to play together at the same team.
The visual implementation and combat mechanics blend perfectly with the whole concept. In the game we pay witness to an impressive 2D gameplay, complemented with a detailed 3D environment and character design, as the developers spared no expenses on the visual effects. We encounter the old fashioned and well-recognised combat moves of every MK player, as well as a few additions. The fatalities are momentous and better than ever, causing nostalgia to the old fans and a gaping mouth to the newcomers . The x-ray feature has been added, too. What is that...? It is a special move causing a lot of damage that can be performed when your gauge meter is full and is sure going to make things unpleasant for your opponent. During this attack, you are provided with an internal view of the crushed bones of the defending player (hopefully your enemy).
Personally however, I would have also revived the running ability. It was a unique addition in Mortal Kombat 3 and it would really fit in this new MK title, as it tends to be quicker than the old ones.
Nevertheless, Mortal Kombat 9 is definitely a refreshed title, absolutely needed in the series. Mortal Kombat games had become mere shadows of themselves in the past years, and obviously this hadn't passed unnoticed by the creators. The result meets the demands of the hardcore fans and will even attract beat'em-up fans who hadn't got the opportunity to enjoy a decent MK title.