Review: Mortal Kombat Komplete (PS3)
Mortal Kombat has been around for a while, but here in Australia we have not been allowed to play it due to classification issues, but thanks to the new M18 certification the Komplete Edition has been issued. Originally released in 2011 and refused classification for the violence and gore (more on this later) the Komplete Edition has extra playable characters. Now this game is two years old and in some places it shows.
By Wayne Webb
Mortal Kombat has been around for a while, but here in Australia we have not been allowed to play it due to classification issues, but thanks to the new M18 certification the Komplete Edition has been issued. Originally released in 2011 and refused classification for the violence and gore (more on this later) the Komplete Edition has extra playable characters. Now this game is two years old and in some places it shows.
The same engine and company that made this in 2011 made Injustice: Gods Among Us earlier this year and in the intervening two years managed to make a number of playability improvements to it. Playing Mortal Kombat and comparing it to Injustice is a little unfair as they are essentially the same game with a different skin and one of them has all the kinks already worked out.
Mortal Kombat characters and the uber violent “finish him” death scenes are quite detailed, vicious and gory. This version is highly detailed, but basically the same as other iterations but with better graphics and a few extra modes and moves.
I’m not a big fan of gore, horror and blood and it’s rare that games in this genre get much play from me beyond the review. Unlike Injustice, which I still find loads of fun months later, I’m already over Mortal Kombat; it’s dark and grim so if that’s your thing that’s fine, but for me it is wearisome.
One of the bigger differences is the control scheme, with the recently released Injustice ironing out the tricky detection that now plagues Kombat. Ditto the special moves seemed easier to learn without reading manuals compared to Kombat, too. If you’re a fan of the series then it will most likely thrill you to finally get your hands on the game in Australia, without risking a fine. If you are looking for the best fighting game, you’d be better suited to check out Injustice, which kicks this game squarely in the behind.
Pros: Much improved look and feel, updated version with new characters, fighting engine easy to pick up basics, allowed in on new 18 certificate.
Cons: Unnecessary gore in fight scenes, a prettier version of an old game, supernatural setting wearisomely dark, advanced moves seem harder to learn than Injustice.
2.5 Shacks Out Of 5
