In an era of motion gaming and plastic guitar shredding, NetherRealm Studios has decided to shirk the current generation of video games and return to the basics with its newly released reboot of the famed Mortal Kombat series.
Those that grew up with Mortal Kombat remember it as the video game that pushed the boundaries of decency. First launch in the early 1990s, the game's over-the-top gore and ample blood quickly branded it as a favorite among gamers and a nightmare among parents.
Nine installments later, the Mortal Kombat series has never strayed too far from its roots. However, with more recent uber-violent titles, such as Grand Theft Auto and God of War, gamers are now less likely to bat an eye at the myriad spinal cord displacements and noggin removals.
Perhaps recognizing this, NetherRealm has gone back to what made the original game such a success. Yes, the gore is still there, but the game has returned to its basic 2D gameplay, memorable characters and button-mashing goodness. Those hooked to an HDTV, LED monitor or an HDMI projector will be able to experience all the fatalities they can handle in crystal-clear graphics.
Mortal Kombat is available now on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
