Parents' Guide to Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

We loved the concept, but how does it play? Well, for the most part. Controlling the 22 characters is fairly simple on the surface, allowing you to jump, kick, punch, and perform deadly finishing moves, but skilled players can take advantage of more advanced moves and combos for added depth. In other words, you can "button mash" and win a few rounds, but in order to really get into the game, you'll need to learn moves such as Batman's "Ducking Gut Punch" (down arrow on the d-pad and the X button on the Xbox 360 controller), the "uppercut" (down arrow on the d-pad and Y button) and "Vengeance" (X, X, Y). Players can also modify the game controls in the Options menu, if desired.

Multiple game modes will also keep players busy. Single player options include Story, Arcade, Practice, and Kombo Challenge, the latter of which allows you to tweak your skills with a favorite character by performing increasingly tough combo moves. Two-player modes are even more fun, whether you're against someone sitting next to you or over the Internet. Some new game-play additions are met with mixed success: "Free Fall Kombat," for example, has players matching an attacker's button moves displayed on screen to become the victor rather than the victim, but this minigame of sorts feels out of place from the main fighting mechanic. Overall, though, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a decent fighting game that, while not groundbreaking, successfully blends these two worlds and delivers an intense and attractive combat experience – especially for fans of Mortal Kombat.