Mortal Kombat: Deception
Martial arts combat at its bloodiest; adults only.
Parents say
Based on 5 reviews
Kids say
Based on 19 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although the Mortal Kombat universe continues to expand in terms of depth of its storyline and the variety of options within the game, the goal of this game is the same as all predecessors: Kill or be killed, and make it as horrific as you can. This is an adult game and is not intended for kids. The star rating given this game is based on quality of gameplay and is not an endorsement of the violence in the game.
Community Reviews
Report this review
Caveat Parens: This Game Contains Suicide - Hara-Kiri Style!
Report this review
What’s It About?
MORTAL KOMBAT: DECEPTION has four basic modes of play: Kombat, Chess Kombat, Puzzle Kombat, and Konquest. Kombat allows the player to fight one-on-one rounds of combat with increasingly difficult opponents. Chess Kombat is played similarly to chess; however, when a piece takes another piece they fight for the space, allowing the defender to potentially win and keep the spot. Puzzle Kombat is a variation of Tetris.
Konquest contains the storyline element of the game. The player explores six 3-D worlds, talking to characters, accomplishing quests, and training, primarily under the tutelage of Mortal Kombat character Bo' Rai Cho. The Konquest portion primarily focuses on combat sequences and side quests. Many of the combat sequences are similar to training and are focused on learning combinations of keys to enact blocks, attacks, special moves, etc.
Is It Any Good?
Mortal Kombat: Deception ratchets up the blood and gore in a series long known to push the boundaries. Some of the minor quests in Konquest mode entail good deeds, but most involve violence. In Konquest mode, the character begins as a young boy and ages to an old man -- but even as a child, he is involved in violent and bloody missions. The character of Bo'Rai Cho, the "guide" for most of the game, uses a secret move, referred to as "puke puddle," to spew a pool of vomit on the floor, causing the opponent to slip.
Perhaps the greatest concern for parents, however, is the amount of very graphic violence. Gruesome deaths are a highlight and the goal of the "best" players. Even the background images are disturbing: In one level, for example, several corpses dangle from rope, their necks broken, and they swing into the way of the battle when they're bumped. No kid should play this game for any reason -- this is strictly adult fare.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this game is different from others in the series. Is the over-the-top violence one of the reasons this game is so popular?
How does playing a violent video game affect you?
Game Details
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Midway
- Release date: January 10, 2005
- Genre: Fighting
- ESRB rating: M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Last updated: November 4, 2015
Our Editors Recommend
-
Capcom Fighting Evolution
Fighting game lacks punch. Best for teens.
-
Punch-Out!!
Cartoony, retro brawler with humor, but too short.
-
Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Familiar comic and video game heroes battle in fun brawler.
-
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
Good fighting game more or less lives up to the hype.
For kids who love action games
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate