 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mortal Kombat
- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Fighting
Common Sense Media says
Bloodiest, goriest game since the series began.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this title is arguably the bloodiest, goriest Mortal Kombat game since the series began almost 20 years ago. You can perform those over-the-top and deadly, "fatality" moves -- like ripping out an opponent's spine, tearing them in half, or impaling them with objects -- but now it's in high-definition 3D (PlayStation 3 version) and with a new X-Ray feature to see the effect of your violence on your opponent's insides while you perform the moves. There is also partial nudity (woman who fight half-naked) and some strong profanity, as well. In short, this game is not for kids.
What's it about?
MORTAL KOMBAT is the latest in the best-selling and controversial fighting game series. Much like its predecessors, you're tasked with choosing a fighter from a roster, who has his or her own unique abilities, and then pitting your fighter against other fighters in an arena. By punching, kicking, blocking, chaining combo moves, and using weapons (guns, swords) and special powers (such as fire and lightning), you try to defeat your opponent before he can do the same to you. Once your rival fighter is on his or her last legs, you can perform a brutal "fatality" move to finish him or her off in a gory, over-the-top fashion. The new game marks a return to its gory roots (a loose remake of the first three games), including more of a 2D look (though characters and environments are rendered in 3D), four-player tag-team, and a deep story mode that takes players back to the events of the original Mortal Kombat in an attempt to alter the events of the past.
Is it any good?
If you're a fan of this 19 year-old franchise, then no doubt you'll like everything NetherRealm Studios has added to this great-looking, smoothly-animated, and multi-moded fighting game. Familiar players have returned, such as Scorpion, Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Kung Lao, Kitana, and Raiden, as well as new fighters (including Kratos from God of War on the PlayStation 3 version). Along with a lengthy story mode, there are also quick battles, tag-team options (the first for a Mortal Kombat game), online games (such as the "King of the Hill" spectator mode), co-op arcade mode (for two players on the same television), and a Challenge Tower which has the player perform 300 different challenges -- such as mastering various characters, trying out gory fatalities, fighting under different conditions, and so on (this mode itself lasts 8 to 10 hours). Fatalities will make you cringe more than ever, including the new X-ray moves to see the insides of someone you're smashing, slashing, impaling, or blasting away to end the duel. While the game is intense entertainment for mature players, there's still some questionable balancing between fighters. Overall, though, it's an exciting but gory fighting game that has a ton of gameplay -- for those over 17 years of age.
Online interaction: One of the modes allows players to play against each other over the Internet (both versions of the game), including a King of the Hill mode. In this "party" mode, you can be a spectator, represented by an avatar and joined by others, while watching the fight between two human opponents. You can also choose to praise or trash-talk the fighters with preselected actions tied to buttons (throw tomatoes, laugh at them, say "wow" or chant for a fatality). Players who are fighting can also talk via a headset microphone so players could hear profanity.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Mortal Kombat seemed to be going a little less violent -- such as the "Teen" rated Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe game from 2008 -- only to deliver an even bloodier and gorier sequel in 2011? Is it carnage that gives Mortal Kombat fans the thrill or is it the fighting mechanic, multiple modes, and familiar characters, each with various moves?
Could NetherRealm Studios deliver as fun a game without all the extreme violence and gore?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Yes, it's Mortal Kombat ready to create controversy among the gaming world and it's back with all new gory fatalities and attacks. In one word, this game is great. The story line is actually a thrill to play compared to games like Street Fighter and The King of Fighters. But what makes this game really fun is the controls. The controls are fluid and make moves easy to pull off, great for pick up and play. What is absent in most fighting games is unlockables, but Mortal Kombat is full of them; Concept art, movies, and costumes and so much more. Blood and gore is everywhere in this game so you might want to keep this away from your kids. Sliced body parts, x-rays revealing broken bones, and unthinkable fighting moves make this one of the goriest games I have ever played but if you are an older teen or adult that can handle that kind of violence, then you should pick up this game. Another great point is the multi-player, whether offline or online, will provide a great time too. So if you are the person that wants Street Fighter with gallons of blood and gore, then pick up this game because it will satisfy your blood thirst. :D
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AGE
HEY PARENTS, PAY ATTENTION
Before I begin, let me explain the age. You gotta judge this on your own. Yes, I mean you PARENTS. Personally, I've been able to handle gore quite easily without being scarred in any way, shape, or form. Your kids may not be so lucky. Or maybe they are. In fact, probably they are. Most people can handle it, given the opportunity. So honestly, grow some balls and let them fly a bit. And now, on to the review.
Educational: Well, when Baraka ripped my feeble enemy in half, I was able to pick out individual organs with incredible precision. Good job NetherRealm Studios, excellent anatomic accuracy.
Positive Messages: Good vs. Evil. Oldest positive message ever. Not that hard of a concept.
Role models: See Raiden, Liu Kang, Kitana, Sonya, Jax, the second Sub-Zero, (who forgives Scorpion instead of avenging his brother) and a myriad of other minor characters.
Violent: You think? One of the upcoming downloadable characters is literally made of blood. And that's the point of mortal kombat. Over the top gore leaving the players constantly wincing and saying, "Can they do that in a game?" The answer of course, is yes, they can. Fatalities are sick (in a good way) and it's a fantastic ride the entire time.
Sex: What? Half naked, balloon breasted ninjas? Oh heavens no, we've never ever seen that before! Whatever shall we do? Ever heard of anime? This is on par with about the tamest of them.
Swearing: No idea, too busy kicking ass and taking names. I know it causes swearing (freaking unfair Shao Kahn)
Product Placement: None. At all. Why is that even a category? Are we that afraid of the big scary corporations? They gonna come hurt us? It's called advertising, look it up some time.
Drugs: Gotta be some pain killers in there. How else can you get your knees inverted, neck snapped, eyes stabbed, and/or spine shattered and keep fighting like nothing happened?
Safety: Don't put any info on the PSN, that should keep you safe enough.
Man up and let your kids live a little. This game is wonderful. Or if you're that much a baby, turn off blood and fatalities
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AGE
Excuse me, um, WHY ARE WE DISCUSSING THIS?!?
Has anyone else read the title for this video game? Mortal Kombat. You know, the game that over the years earned a reputation as THE most gory, violent, disgusting, and controversial games in gaming history? This video game is described as the revival of the series. Therefore, and lets just use our brains for a moment, it is more gory than the original. And, may I add, it is rated M. If you feel it may be too violent for your child, or that the rating should be enforced, enforce it. Just don't make the rest of us have to do as you say. Now, many hardcore fighter fans will be drooling over this game, and I say go ahead! It seems the fighting genre is on its way to recovery, having seen Street Fighter 4 and Tekken 6. Thanks for reading!
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AGE
A great fighting game for older teens.
This is a great fighting game for ages 14+. The violence is insanely gruesome and brutal but it's MK, so it's expected. The women in this game have very large breasts and dress very lightly, but there is no sexual activity. There is no language, I don't know why it's M for strong language.
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AGE
Great game, a must for any 12 and up.
This is an extremely violent game. There is some bad language in dialogue but its barely noticeable. Because the graphics are top-notch, the violent "x-ray" attacks and special moves seem so realistic. The "x-ray" attacks show what's happening inside the body of the victim while they're being injured and, although this is still very violent, they aren't as bad as the other attacks such as: dismemberment, decapitation and other VERY disgusting things. Not for under 11's.
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AGE
Fun, but violent, return for MK
This game is really fun, but parents should know that it is absurdly violent. The X-Ray moves and Fatalities are particularly gnarly, but being a teenage boy I think they're pretty effing awesome. All the punches and such the characters throw feel like they really hurt, which makes the game more fun than some other fighting games. The game is much easier to pick up and play than something like Marvel Vs. Capcom, as it is less about input the right moves than playing smart. However, the challenge tower and boss battles are quite frustrating and could cause one to become enraged. Finally, all the female characters are scantily clad and dis-proportionate but there is no nudity. I think most teens can handle this game as long as they accept it as being ridiculous, not realistic.
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AGE
HATED IT!
I tried this game i did nit like it was way to gory for me ! and the language was pretty bad too! but now i learned a lesson!one more thing the costumes are a little sexual.
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AGE
Greatest MK yet
Great game that offers several hours of gameplay for your buck. Wouldn't reccomend it to anyone offended by gore, but other than that it should be fine.
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Kid, 10 years old
May 8, 2011
AGE
NOT FOR KIDS UNDER 16 YEARS
well i am 9 years old and i played it JUST FOR 10 SECONDS AND it was too much blood and it was scary
SO I SAY IT : NOT FOR KIDS
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AGE
BadAss game
you see i put good role models. Well that is true for some characters such as Raiden; basicly there is a fight to death tourtement for the Earth Realm. And Raiden will give his life for earth to win.The Violence is extremly bad but is enough for 12 year olds to take. Sex: Some female characters touch themselves innapropiately after winning a fight. And one character Mileena has a naked (wrong word choice: It should be revealing not completely nude) After beating 300 levels in the challenge tower this costume is unlocked. Neaatherealm put it after 300 levels because they thought only mature players could get there and I GOT THERE. Also she goes up to her opponet and makes a very close to the opponets lips as if she was to kiss them Not long before she tears them to pieces. But note this is a FATALITY you dont have to do it.
Also YOU CONCERNED ABOUT FATALITIES?? Don't worry you don't have to do them.You can just give them a quick, non gorey punch when the "FINISH HIM" appears
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| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
| Available online? | Available online |
| Genre: | Fighting |
| Developer: | Warner Bros. Games |
| Release date: | April 19, 2011 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language |
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