Gameplay: 8
Graphics: 9
Sound: 8.5
Replay: 8
Multiplayer: Yes (2)

Let's face it, the fighting game genre has suffered a big hit in the past couple years. Fighting games are simply dying out on the consoles. They are still doing well in the arcades, where they were meant to be, but people sitting at home aren't playing them as much as they used to. If any game can bring a spark back into the fighting game industry, it would be Mortal Kombat, right?

Wrong. Well, right in some ways. The game is a big move in a positive direction but it isn't everything I expect from a fighting game. The game is fully in 3D, unlike all previous installments. Midway decided to change their look of the game finally. The usual faces are back, along with a couple of new ones. Don't worry, Scorpion and Sub Zero have both returned (however I was saddened not to fight Smoke in this game as I found smoke to be a very cool character). So Midway did take a few big steps in this game, but they still haven't reached the top.

The gameplay is the exact same as in all of the previous versions. Yes, it is still possible to use one cheap move over and over and over again, but luckily most new fighting games have put up barriers for that like the character being attacked will stop being stunned after a certain amount. This game is still based around combos and secret moves, as all fighting games should be. But personally, I don't feel there are enough BIG moves. There are a couple long combos per fighting style (next paragraph) but there are only 4 secret moves you can pull off per character, and sadly, most of them just plain suck.
There are 3 fighting styles per character. Two are martial arts styles and the third is a weapon. Yes, that is a new addition in this game, every character has his/her own unique weapon. The weapons definately add a whole new dimension to the game and are pretty fun to use. Some are better than others. Some you will most likely never use because they are worthless (like the ones that have practically no range on them). But it was a good idea to add weapons into the game.

This game controls similar to all the previous installments. There is a strong punch button, weak punch button, etc. Learning how to mix these together and string them into combos is the challenge. Personally, I don't like having to learn combos but the people who take the time to will definately kick ass. There is now a taunt button in this game and it does different things for different characters. Some characters get pumped up and stronger while a few gain back life. It is a pretty interesting addition to this game.

Visually, this game is pretty impressive. Midway worked hard on making the characters look good and they did an amazing job with it. The characters are designed beautifully in 3D. They all look detailed and realistic. They have their own scars, etc. The muscle lines are obvious and in the right places. Sub Zero still has the huge, real looking scar on his face. I must give it up that this game looks pretty good.

The environments are pretty good as well. There is a lot of stuff happening in the backgrounds in a lot of cases, fire burning, etc. That is always a good thing. The characters interact well with the environment in this game. When you are knocked into a pillar you take extra damage (and feel the hit as well). There is a ton of blood in this installment, as usual, and that is the only thing that should be improved on. The blood still looks too bright, unrealistic, and it doesn't stay on the ground. Being able to fight in pools of your own blood (more preferably, the opponents') would be awesome.

Sound wise this game does a pretty good job. The music has an Asian martial arts type feel to it, which isn't bad, although I would prefer hard rock music in a game like this. The characters all have their own unique voices but they really only use them when they are pulling off attacks and stuff. I would prefer for there to be more said, maybe even a little smack talking between rivals, etc. That would be pretty cool.

This game has a good deal of replay. The single player mode isn't very fun but it is rewarding. All you are doing in it is doing missions and stuff like "Pull of this combo or kill that guy" and you earn tokens. The tokens are used to unlock things like characters, levels, concept art, etc. The "Krypt" section of the game is very interesting. It is like a game of chance. What do you unlock? Do you risk wasting your coins on that expensive coffin and having it be empty?

This game is worth the purchase if you really love fighting games or really love the Mortal Kombat series. For average gamers this isn't for everyone but they will get some fun out of a rental. It is a good little push for the fighting genre but more is needed to get it fired up again.