Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Preview

By Kristan Reed Published 24 April, 2008

Kontroversial.

"Worlds will collide. The fate of the universe will be decided." And the Internet will explode with indignant fanboy rage. Yes, Mortal Kombat is back, and this time it's teen-rated, which means no spine-ripping fatalities. Blunting the brand's trademark happy endings is inevitably going to unseat a few spleens, but that's the price series creator Ed Boon is prepared to pay for shacking up his "billion dollar fighting franchise" with Warner Bros. to bring the two famous brands together in one star-studded beat-'em-up package.

Officially unveiled at Midway's Gamers Day in Las Vegas last week, in it a "cataclysmic force merges conquerors from two universes", meaning that MK staples such as Sub Zero and Scorpion find themselves facing off against DC superheroes, including Batman and Superman and "other iconic and powerful DC Super Heroes" yet to be confirmed (but known to be another eight from each side, featuring all the favourites). "How can either side prevail when rage blinds them to the dark threat poised to destroy them all?" Bring a coat, maybe.

There's no doubting MK co-creator Ed Boon's assertion that "The DC Universe characters are some of the most popular and enduring characters in the world." This move alone will help sell the brand to a whole new audience, and take Midway's biggest cash cow to a new level of commercial viability - but at what cost to the brand's credibility among its most vocal followers? By chasing the teen market, many fans perceive Midway's "reboot" as a risky one which could totally alienate the very audience that helped make it the "billion dollar fighting franchise" in the first place. Will it be enough to combine the DC characters with the Mortal Kombat mythology to get people excited or will it be written off as a gimmick? Will it even work as a game? With Midway electing to keep the game firmly under wraps for now, so much remained unanswered, with only fleeting glimpses of actual gameplay in the title's teaser trailer.

'Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe' Screenshot 1

The last MK game of any note, Armageddon, did okay critically.

Still, subsequent mining of all the available information has revealed this to date: comic writers Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Marvel Nights, Jonah Hex, 21 Down) and Justin Gray (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, JLA Classified, Punisher Red X-Mas, The Resistance) will be "crafting" a "completely unique storyline" from two opposing perspectives. Meanwhile, Boon and co. have come up with a Freefall Kombat system that takes advantage of the multi-tiered environments. So unlike, say, Dead or Alive, where falling vast distances is just a cosmetic effect, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe will allow you to smack each other around in mid-air as a giant skyscraper speeds past behind you. Another mode briefly touched upon was Klose Kombat, where you'll be able to grab your opponent and enter a boxing-style mode and trade blows in wince-inducing close-up - with one on the offensive and the other on the defensive.

So, switching perspectives and a frantic pace are all but assured, but what about the lack of fatalities and toned-down violence? At this stage, not even Boon seems to know exactly what Midway can get away with these days in terms of blood and gore at a teen-rated level. It seems fair to assume there will be some splatter, but certainly nothing remotely shocking, and a total abandonment of the spine-wrenching, blood-drenched fatalities that caused such a stir back in the brand's mid-'90s heyday.

Boon admits there will be spectacular finishing moves, but, no, you won't see Superman feasting on Scorpion's still-warm organs for fun. DC won't allow it, and certainly the rating bodies like the BBFC and ESRB won't let such scenes pass under the radar. That said, Boon and Midway will be pushing for as much as they can get away with, so it might not be a complete cop-out.

So why do the brand collaboration at all? Apparently Boon and co. have been keen on doing an MK crossover ever since MK4 was released in arcades over ten years ago, but for one reason or another met with resistance. With the brand's evolution into 3D dating back to 2002, the game's creators reasoned that making incremental improvements to the formula didn't warrant full-price status. Bravo to that. With the opportunity to crossover the brand with the likes of Tekken and Street Fighter off-limits, the next logical step was superheroes - something Capcom itself has proven as a viable direction with the hugely admired Marvel vs. Capcom series. Certainly, in that context it feels like a far less controversial step, providing nobody mentions Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects.

One question most people have with the brand crossover is how the hell it's going to work on a gameplay level. Like Mario vs Sonic in a race, matching Superman with Sub Zero seem like a foregone conclusion - until, that is, Midway pulls out the "aha, but we've got magic" card. Boon reminds the assembled that the MK brand has always been based on the supernatural, meaning Superman's weakness to magic can be exploited in some way. Okay, but we're sure balancing the two rosters will be a key bone of contention over the coming months, and something Midway will have to figure out if the game is to satisfy both sides of the camp.

The first kiss is always awkward.

In terms of tech, as with all Midway games currently in development, the game will utilise a customised version of Unreal Engine 3. As you'd expect for the first next-generation iteration of Mortal Kombat, characters benefit from a greater level of detail than before, and much is expected in terms of animation improvements and physics. With acclaimed artist Alex Ross reportedly involved in design direction, DC purists should be kept happy with the overall look of the game. In terms of the environments, we're told to expect a mixture of styles from both brands, with a more lavish attention to detail than has been possible in an MK game to date.

For all the carping going on in the far corners of the Internet, it's a brave move by Boon and Midway to attempt a comprehensive rethink of the Mortal Kombat brand. Eight iterations and 16 years down the line, how boring would it be if Midway simply wheeled out a graphical makeover of the same old gameplay? Some of the hardcore would have been happy, but Midway isn't content to stand still with it, and has spied an opportunity to broaden its appeal - even if the total reinvention of the combat system and the unapologetic removal of the iconic violence puts a lot of noses out of joint in the process.

Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe is due out in the autumn on PS3 and 360.

Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (55) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • syphaa #1 4 years ago

    Looks so bad.
    Why oh why.

    Marvel Vs Capcom cannot be beaten by MK Vs DC!

  • mooseman721 #2 4 years ago

    I must be getting old, why would Batman be fighting Sub Zero again?

  • Xerx3s #3 4 years ago

    Because subzero is cooler.

  • Bsport #4 4 years ago

    weak

  • the_dudefather #5 4 years ago

    Hope they recycle the cold puns from batman and robin for this

    YOUR NOT GOING TO SEND ME TO THA COOLA

  • Eraysor #6 4 years ago

    Nothing is going to beat Marvel Vs. Capcom 2. That game was incredible. Apart from the music, which is the worst I have ever heard in a game in my entire life.

  • muscleblade #7 4 years ago

    I dont like the idea. As a MK fan im still going to buy it though. Hope the gameplay will be better than the last MK games.

    Edited by 1 at 24/04/08 @ 11:30

  • AcidSnake #8 4 years ago

    Marvel Vs Capcom
    Smash Bros Vs Sonic Vs Metal Gear
    Soul Calibur Vs Star Wars

    Mortal Kombat Vs DC...Yes...very original...

    Next-up:
    Tekken Vs Crash Bandicoot

    I haven't been a fan of the MK games for a while, I liked some of the earlier 2D games, but this is going to drive the hardcore away like crazy...

  • wattoo #9 4 years ago

    Krap

  • Schiraman #10 4 years ago

    What a terrible idea.

  • lambtron #11 4 years ago

    KPointless more like.

  • Anthony_UK #12 4 years ago

    I couldn't even bring myself to read that preview properly, flicking through I saw things like 'No blood' and 'no finishing moves'

    Is this just so I can fight as Batman? no thanks! as someone else said.....

    ......Krap!!!

    Edit: Now if finishing moves and blood were in, imagine being Johnny Cage and punching Batmans head off!!! Now that would of been beyond awesome!
    Edited by 2 at 24/04/08 @ 11:38

  • afghan_jones #13 4 years ago

    i wish it was good but it will be dreadful.

  • miiiguel #14 4 years ago

    "Apart from the music, which is the worst I have ever heard in a game in my entire life. "
    You can experience custom soundtracks in a tree-six-tee near you, now only 159.99.

  • simiankid #15 4 years ago

    Apparently Boon and co. have been keen on doing an MK crossover ever since MK4 was released in arcades over ten years ago, but for one reason or another met with resistance.

    One reason or another? You mean, nobody wanted their franchise to be contaminated by grasping the other end of a turd?

    EDIT: speelink
    Edited by 1 at 24/04/08 @ 11:41

  • thefilthandthefury #16 4 years ago

    Without blood and fatalities the whole Mortal Kombat aspect has been completely neutered. There's no point at all! Just do a DC game instead, it'd be better.
    Edited by 1 at 24/04/08 @ 11:46

  • Lebowski #17 4 years ago

    EastEnders vs. Coronation Street

    Pat Butcher's spinning bird kick - cert 18. :-(

  • hiddenranbir #18 4 years ago

    Gonna take you for a ride.

  • miiiguel #19 4 years ago

    360ers vs PS3ers: featuring nosiy obnoxious teenagers against Lacoste shirt wearers rednecks!

  • doriangray #20 4 years ago

    If so many of you think the idea is rubbish because there won't be any ott blood-y fatalities then i think that says alot about what qualities and draw the MK games actually had. Maybe this'll be an oppurtunity for them to make a decent fighting game rather than one that relies on "ooh look we r a adult game with lots of blud and gore".

  • strelok #21 4 years ago

    last decent MK was MK3 :/

  • Madafunkola #22 4 years ago

    Can we have this game in a political theme instead?
    Ken vs Boris
    George Dubya vs Putin
    Darling vs Osborne
    Obama vs Clinton
    WITH SPINE RIPPING!

  • HarryB #23 4 years ago

    game looks so odd graphically.

  • louyfitz #24 4 years ago

    Fuck you midway!

    Your down one MK fan right here, and many others elsewhere.

    Just so little kids can play as superman and fight against people they've never heard of?

    Sounds like shit to me, now if you could still do fatalities I'd play it, but not if it's some pussy version of MK.

    MK was never pussy, why start now?

    Next Week: Grand Theft Auto 4 without stealing cars.

  • anomagnus #25 4 years ago

    wouldn't superman just hammer everyone anyway?

  • Rirekon #26 4 years ago

    Hell I'll buy it just so I can smash Batman's smug face in...

  • thefilthandthefury #27 4 years ago

    "If so many of you think the idea is rubbish because there won't be any ott blood-y fatalities then i think that says alot about what qualities and draw the MK games actually had. Maybe this'll be an oppurtunity for them to make a decent fighting game rather than one that relies on "ooh look we r a adult game with lots of blud and gore"."

    But they are the qualities you look for in an MK game. If I wanted to play a deep fighter I'd pop Virtua Fighter in or something. MK's biggest draw is the blood and insane ultra-violence. Why bother making an MK without that? As I said earlier, if they just made it a DC game it'd make more sense and probably be a lot better.

  • Eighthours #28 4 years ago

    The idea seems like a bit of a car-crash to me, but it'll be interesting to see how it all comes together.

  • Ikari2001 #29 4 years ago

    i think it would have been that extra draw, to be able to do a fatality on Batman or Superman do a fatality! Just something different!

    Why does DC care if we brutalise their characters? Such a shame :( hehe

  • Milbe #30 4 years ago

    "...won't stand still...", "...reinvent..." = drift with the ever growing mainstream c*ap = access more casual gamers = money = the end

  • Steroyd #31 4 years ago

    What the hell is happening to all those kool fighting games I used to play as a kid. :(

  • don81 #32 4 years ago

    Bring back Panzer kick boxing from the amiga!!! Random i know, but what a game!!

  • Nithron #33 4 years ago

    If DC didn't want blood and gore "tainting" their characters' good names, why the hell did they partner up with Mortal Kombat, whose only redeeming feature is in fact blood and gore?

    Oh yeah, that's right, because they're the only other franchise in the world with characters of equal or excessive shittiness...

  • Mint #34 4 years ago

    Next Week: Grand Theft Auto 4 without stealing cars.

    This

  • Doomaster #35 4 years ago

    I think that this cross-over can be a good idea. The characters of DC comics are various and some of them are also really dark like those of Mortal Kombat series, and the trailer looks pretty cool !!!!

  • Load_2.0 #36 4 years ago

    "you won't see Superman feasting on Scorpion's still-warm organs for fun."

    Hah.

    Hell I would/will play this. But then I am heading towards early dementia.

    Out of the way scallywags!

  • kmittal82 #37 4 years ago

    Unbelievable... from a truly gem of a game to this!

    Agreed, the franchise does need a revival, but this is just taking the piss ! The very features which made this game an icon are being ditched for some good-2-shoes freak who wears his underwear inside out... ridiculous

    This could work, bring back the fatalities, tighten up the game mechanics and remove DC !! Having said that, i would be cool if Scorpion would grab superman out of the air with the spear... "Get over here!!!!!!!", and toastie his arse.

  • S.J.Rogers #38 4 years ago

    Halo 3 Vs GTA4.

    Drive around the city in a Warthog, killing hookers with plasma bombs...

    This actualy sounds good..!

    Hands off my idea...

  • steviepunk #39 4 years ago

    what a bunch of cynics you all are ;)

    Anyway, for the sake of continuity, shouldn't it be "Mortal Kombat Vs DK Universe"?

  • bushwod #40 4 years ago

    I think a little part of me has died inside.

  • bdgr #41 4 years ago

    hold on - isn't Superman more or less immortal? barring playing with kryptonite mittens noone'll win against him!!

  • Machetazo #42 4 years ago

    Muted Kombat vs WC Universe.

    Beyond that, the thing that I really dislike about this, is how Batman doesn't even look like it belongs in that scene its in. (How SHOULD a DC character appear in a Mortal Kombat world, and vice versa, is more the thing I'm focusing on, here.)

    The characters should react to the brawling, be affected by, and affect the environment (not just with a sequence where someone, for instance is put through a wall), there ought to be facial expression of some kind - even for the ones in masks. The characters ought to believably, within the realm of comic fiction, inhabit the locations in which they fight.
    What's shown looked plastic, especially offset against detailed animated backdrops..

    @bdgr: Already covered. It's a long-established part of the Superman tale, that the hero also doesn't get on too well with magic, which MK characters absolutely revel in.
    Edited by 3 at 24/04/08 @ 15:03

  • Triggerhappytel #43 4 years ago

    "billion dollar fighting franchise"

    I'm sorry, I just couldn't concentrate after reading this. What franchise was he talking about? Street Fighter? Tekken?


    Anyway, apart from the fact that whatever mechanic they crowbar in to make the game balanced is going to be lame as hell (what, all the MK characters have kryptonite pendants, or something?!), I honestly can't think of eight really famous DC characters who will probably be appearing. You've got Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, erm... I'm really struggling here...

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #44 4 years ago

    ...Green Arrow, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter. Or Black Canary if they want another woman. In other words, the JLA.

    Taking my geek hat off for a second, I agree this does sound daft - a lot dafter, for some reason, than Marvel vs. Capcom - but that was quite an interesting article, well written and trying to see the argument from both points of view. I'm hoping it'll end up daft but fun.

  • Ranger101 #45 4 years ago

    MK vs DC is EXACTLY as daft as MvC, with the exception that "Capcom of the Nineties" weaved Crack Cocaine levels of code when they had the license, where as Ed Boon maxed out on MK2.


    also:


    SUPERMAN HAS A WEAKNESS TO KRYPTONITE _AND_ M A G I C.


    (Just to spell it out for those who keep bringing it up, despite the millions of others who keep mentioning it, not to mention that that fact is already mentioned in the article.)

    Finally "wtf is Batman facing off with Sub Zero" etc.: My retort - wtf was with Ryu facing off with Wolverine. Doesn't matter, it's a game not an epic piece of literature.

  • YourMessageHere #46 4 years ago

    can someone explain just what is wrong with doing (fighting game franchise A) vs. (fighting game franchise B)? Surely fans of both will buy it (I certainly remember people wishing they could combine Street Fighter and MK in the SNES/Mega Drive days), it avoids righteous indignation-inducing contraventions of lore as seems to be happening here and does not require compromises in terms of stuff like gore.

  • The-Bodybuilder #47 4 years ago

    An MK game without blood and gore is like a killer instinct game without massive combos.

  • The-Bodybuilder #48 4 years ago

    The reason why MvC worked because it was completely in style of being over the top. Super duper hadokens and crazy hulk smashes and everything. Pretty much like a comic world.
    Whereas this is going for the cliched "dark, broody and gritty" feel. Being dark n gritty makes the game serious, which is just hard to fathom. Batman fighting in mi-air, flying through walls against subzero? Don't give us this crap about "the fate of the universe lies in thier hands" and "they fight against an unknown dark force", just bring them together and fight. Nobody cares about the story or setting (PS: Was there even a story to MvC?)

    I would like to see a raiden vs superman battle though.
    Edited by 1 at 24/04/08 @ 15:56

  • Ranger101 #49 4 years ago

    Amen Bodybuilder.

    I just want to opposing sets of arguably popular characters to fuck each other up. No story needed.

    Plus, you also get the bonus of having Batman face off with Superman.

  • dripping_brain #50 4 years ago

    @ hiddenranbir

    Oh god, it's stuck in my head again! No!

  • Genji #51 4 years ago

    TRY AGAIN? Doooon't giiiive uuuup.

    I will be interested to see how they take away Superman's invincibility. It will be interesting to pit him up against Batman.

  • Amon_Amarth #52 4 years ago

    GOODBYE MORTAL KOMBAT

  • Genji #53 4 years ago

    Honestly, in this day and age, Mortal Kombat just isn't that shocking anymore. So I appreciate that they probably had to move the series in a new direction. Violence by itself isn't really that much of a selling point these days. We'll see how this turns out, though.

  • Hurleybird #54 4 years ago

    @ don81
    "Bring back Panzer kick boxing from the amiga!!! Random i know, but what a game!!"

    So glad someone else thought that, what an underated gem. Rather than memorise 150+ moves per character, select the moves you want and have them mapped to the same keys, great idea.

    Where's the remake of Uchi Mata though!?

    Now with added <a href=http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=46ct5xZFiP4>YouTube</a> of an Uchi Mata in action
    Edited by 1 at 26/04/08 @ 18:06

  • SeesThroughAll #55 4 years ago

    I think I'd have more fun beating custom characters to a pulp in Facebreaker than playing this.