- Release Date: November 19, 2002
- Genre: Fighting
- Style: 3D Fighting
- Similar Games: Soul Calibur II (Nintendo GameCube), Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus (Xbox)
Game Description
Fatalities, the hallmark of the series, are alive and well, with each character capable of performing grotesque acts of violence, accompanied by geysers of over-the-top blood and gore. Arcade and Versus mode perform their perfunctory duties; allowing players to compete in a series of matches against increasingly tougher AI opponents or against a human competitor, respectively. Konquest is essentially a training mode that introduces players to the various facets of the gameplay. Here, basic scenarios must be completed using any character of your choosing. Continued play in both the Konquest and Arcade modes rewards players with various forms of Kurrency (Sapphire, Onyx, Jade, Ruby, Gold, and Platinum Koins).
These "Koins" can then be used to unlock one of over 600 Koffins, each containing hidden content such as secret characters, alternate outfits, concept art, development images, promotional materials, and other miscellany. Additionally, these Koins can be wagered, and subsequently won or lost, in multiplayer battles against friends. Mini-games dubbed "Test Your Might" and "Test Your Sight" are also included, the first a homage to the rapid button-tapping event found in the first Mortal Kombat, while the second requires focus on a particular cup as a group of them are shuffled about.
~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
Mortal Kombat remains one of the most controversial game franchises in the industry's history to date. Its predilection for displaying over-the-top graphic violence and gore created a media circus during the mid-'90s, making it a suitable target for concerned parents' groups and political activists. While its popularity fueled numerous sequels and spin-offs, few titles, aside from Mortal Kombat II, significantly improved upon the original's gameplay. Although Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance can still be criticized for adding little originality to the genre, the final product is an immensely enjoyable one and a welcome return to form for the long-running series.While it remains Mortal Kombat at its bloody heart, the introduction of fully 3D arenas and the ability to instantly switch between fighting styles have had a profound effect on the action. Gone are the limited moves from previous versions, as characters in Deadly Alliance execute attacks based on their current fighting style. This system adds more variety to the fighting, but gameplay still boils down to learning specific button combinations to execute moves and the so-called "Dial-a-Combo" chain attacks. Since the fighting engine relies on tap and double-tap maneuvers, the game offers no support for the analog stick. Yet despite its small size, the GameCube's Control Pad proves remarkably comfortable and easy to use.
Matches are often fast and unforgiving, and players who have not mastered the style-branch combination attacks and the 3D movement will suffer at the hands of the game's AI. The learning curve is almost non-existent, going from opponents who are complete pushovers to fighters capable of feats of dexterity no ordinary mortal could ever hope to achieve. After the initial learning period, many players will find themselves gravitating toward the two-player mode to satisfy the fighting urges.
The arenas themselves feature a modicum of interactive elements, from acid-spewing statues to destructible pillars of ice. Unfortunately, there are no stage fatalities whatsoever, with the game instead offering only a single fatality per character. It's a pity Midway skimped on the one facet that is entirely MK-centric. That said, many of the fatalities are decidedly more elaborate (and sillier) than in past games and, thanks to the new graphics engine, better looking as well. As is to be expected, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance is the best-looking title in the series, but it also stands up remarkably well against such respected fighters as Virtua Fighter 4 and Tekken 4. For the most part, animation is smooth and unhindered, only occasionally appearing stilted, while little touches such as facial damage, moving clothing, and flying debris round out an impressive visual package.
Enticing players to continue battling long after the initial luster has worn off is a feature called "The Krypt," a 26 by 26 array of "coffins" containing unlockable "kontent." This amounts to no fewer than 676 pieces of concept art, merchandising, development material, promos, videos, characters, and stages. All of these extras must be purchased using "koins" earned in the Arcade or Konquest modes, the latter being a dull series of tutorials and basic challenges for each and every character in the game. While Midway would have been better off taking a closer look at Soul Calibur's Mission Battle mode for inspiration, The Krypt does offer enough incentive to continue playing.
Niggling problems such as overly cheap AI still persist, but for the most part, Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance manages to breathe new life into the gameplay while still retaining the Mortal Kombat feel. There's a lot to like about this package, and hopefully the franchise will build upon this title's strengths and not revert to the running joke it once was.
~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
A great title for casual fans of the genre, with enough depth to entice even the hardcore crowd. One of the best in the series.~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
Considerably better than anything in the franchise has previously offered. Arenas are nicely detailed, as are the character models, all of which are complemented by a bevy of lesser details, such as facial damage and moving cloth.~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
A cacophony of grunts and howls are the dominant sound effects. The music will be familiar to veteran Mortal Kombat fans, with up-tempo, sinister beats.~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
The Krypt gives the game plenty of legs, but it's in the two-player mode that players will find the most longevity.~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
The manual offers descriptions of most facets of the title, however, instead of listing the character fatalities, players are told to experiment or look for them on the Internet. Tsk. Tsk.~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide
Production Credits
Game Design and Team Leader: Ed Boon; Software: Mike Boon, Alan Villani, Todd Allen, Nigel Casey, Nick Shin, Alexander Barrentine, Robert Blum, John Nocher, Ed Boon, Jay Biondo, Jim Terdina, Jim Bulvan, Jon Greenberg; Background Design & Modeling: Tony Goskie, Mike Taran, Shawn Cooper; Character Design & Modeling: Luis Mangubat, Herman Sanchez, Steve Beran, Alan Ditzig, Karl Patton; Motion Capture & Animation: John Vogel, Carlos Pesina, Chuck Ghislandi, Tony Zeffiro, Steve Beran; Producer: John Podlasek; Assistant Producer: Paulo Garcia, Brian LeBaron; Sound Effects & Music: Dan Forden, Rich Carle, Vince Pontarelli; Programming Support: Steve Anichini, Edward Keenan, James Singer, Rob Martino; Motion Capture & Animation Support: Jeff Baker, Brian Wright, Alan Cruz; Additional Graphics: Taaron Silverstein, Katie Diebold, Charles Ernst, Andy Konieczny, Rich Markese, Ryan Rosenburg, Tony Goskie, Mike Taran, Steve Beran, Herman Sanchez; Storyline: John Vogel, Alexander Barrentine; Opening FMV: Chad Greene, Dano Buendia, Sam Crider, Laura Grieve, Annmarie Koenig, Pav Kovacic, Thom Miecznikowski, Dave Mueller, Adam Norton, Jim Rohn; Motion Capture Talent: Carlos Pesina, Tom Lowell, Tobiasz Daszkiewicz, Rich Divizio, Sean Grosvenor, Mi Jung Jang, Sameer Karim, Camella Morris, Pek Pongpaet, Larry Tankson, Yamel Torres, John Vogel, Erik Zich; Testing Management: Loren Gold, Rob Sablan, Dan Wagner; Lead Product Analyst: Dave Casso, Andrew Nguyen, Art Fernadez, Virgil Abad; Technical Standards Analyst: Adrian Castendada, Jason Calvin, Ghyan Koehne, Rick Blair, Adam Bailey, Ray Mitchell; Product Analyst: Francisco Aldana, Francis Brooke, Ray DeGuzman, Eddie Ferrier, Adam Hernandez, Robb Schoenbacher, Eric Wackerfuss, Warren Wilkes, Peter Briones, Mathew Byrd, Brian Cassi, Eric Cho, Jason Mueller, Ben Nicolas, Josh Palmer, John Ricchio, AJ Briones, Randy Caymo, Tony Drake, John Ranz, Ulysses Forosan, Carl Hidalgo, Adam Spivey, Eric Spoor, Rick Waibel, Punn Wiantrakoon, Brian Bumlao, Guy Chapman, Ben Cole, Jonathan Eng, Shane Englefield, Richard Phim, Nick Rodney, Josh Stacey, Richard Vrtis, Travis Zander; Midway Management: Neil Nicastro, Ken Fedesna, Matt Booty; Creative Media: Rigo Cortes, Max Crawford, Christian Munoz, Jack O'Neall, Bill O'Neall, Chris Skrundz, Beth Smukowski, Jim Tianis, Christa Woss, Larry Wotman; Midway Legal: Debbie Fulton, Michael Burke, Cory Halpern, Robert Gustafson; Marketing: Helene Sheeler, Lawrence Smith, Randy Severin, Marci Ditter, Christa Wittenberg; Creative Services - San Diego: Debbie Austin, Jon Mongelluzzo, Matt Schiel, Sally Nichols, Chris Vine, Ron White
~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide
