Last year, the cult beat 'em up Mortal Kombat returned to consoles and proved extremely successful. Now, the PlayStation Vita version is following suit, which is essentially a direct port of the PlayStation 3 version.
PS Vita owners can look forward to the ultimate version of the game, as it includes not only all DLC but also exclusive features and content. We'll tell you now whether the PS Vita version is worth buying.
As mentioned previously, Mortal Kombat for PS Vita is a direct PS3 port, which is why we focused primarily on the new content and the technical implementation. Those who would like to take a look at the original review can find it here as a supplement. here.
The PS Vita version, just like the PS3 version, includes the classic Arcade and Battle modes, Story mode, Challenge Tower, Training, as well as Versus and Tag Team modes. The Crypt and Necropolis also return. New additions include a second Challenge Tower, two bonus games, and exclusive outfits. Completely absent, of course, is 3D support and, unfortunately, the fun 'King of the Hill' online mode. We also miss the AR feature, which was previously shown in a trailer and transformed your living room into a battle arena.
The story mode is the same as in the PS3 version and takes you through the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament, where you fight for the fate of Earthrealm. A positive change this time around, however, is that the cutscenes no longer look as pixelated due to the smaller screen. This was definitely a point of criticism back then, which further detracted from the already somewhat unnecessary story mode.
The Challenge Tower bonus offers 150 additional challenges compared to the PS3 version, consisting of a variety of tasks. These include simple fights with added handicaps, bonus games, reaction games, and a mix of everything. For example, you might have to fight a regular battle while simultaneously using the touchscreen to destroy objects like missiles aimed at you. Ideally, these challenges are also used to practice the PS Vita's special features, such as performing fatalities using the touchscreen, or to generally practice moves. The Challenge Towers thus offer not only plenty of variety but also enough entertainment for an extended period.
The two new bonus games are "Test Your Balance" and "Test Your Slashing." In "Test Your Balance," you have to maintain your balance across 15 levels on a narrow platform for a set amount of time, using the PS Vita's motion sensors. If you fail, you'll inevitably fall into a deadly pit. In "Test Your Slashing," various objects like severed heads, skulls, or organs fly wildly across the screen, which you have to slice by swiping them across the touchscreen. At the same time, bombs also fly across the screen, which can be detonated by shaking the device. Naturally, the higher the difficulty level, the more challenging the game becomes. The six bonus games in total continue to provide a welcome change of pace between fights.
Another poorly implemented aspect is that each game mode is strictly separated. In Arcade Battle, you have to fight ten battles in a row and defeat Shao Khan at the end. Bonus games or challenges could have easily been incorporated here to liven things up. Something we already pointed out back then.
Those who want to let loose online can also do so on the PS Vita. You can challenge your friends or players from around the world via WiFi or ad-hoc. The options include classic 1v1 or tag team fights. There are ranked matches, private matches, player statistics, and leaderboards. Unlike the PS3 version, however, this is limited to a maximum of two players instead of four.
Mortal Kombat's gameplay remains true to the series' classic style and doesn't venture into uncharted territory on the PS Vita. Integrating the touchscreen into the gameplay is a nice, albeit small, innovation, and it's well-executed. For example, Fatalities are performed by swiping your finger across the screen. This works well, however, only until you need to press an additional button for a Fatality. Right-handed players will naturally swipe with their right finger. But when switching to the buttons, the pause is often too long to successfully execute the Fatality. X-Ray Moves also utilize the touchscreen. Once your power meter is full, simply tap the X at the end of the bar. Otherwise, you can expect the familiar, solid Mortal Kombat gameplay. Some players might struggle with the small buttons, finding it difficult to consistently hit the right one. A controller would certainly be a better choice in this regard.
Graphically, Mortal Kombat on the PlayStation Vita is also quite impressive. While it doesn't quite reach the heights of its PS3 sibling, this isn't always a major concern on a handheld. It's worth noting that the 60fps frame rate has been maintained on the PS Vita, resulting in smooth gameplay. This looks quite impressive on the screen. However, the number of polygons used for the characters and stages has been reduced, and this is noticeable. The edges aren't always as clean as on the PS3, which we first noticed particularly with Sindel and her hair, which looks rather jagged when she's swinging it to slam her opponent to the ground. Overall, though, Mortal Kombat looks good on the PS Vita, offering varied and colorful stages, as well as the usual high-quality fighter animations.
The game's loading times are incredibly short, allowing you to start the game quickly and jump right into the fights. Even if you do lose, you can restart the fight immediately without having to reload the entire stage. NetherRealm has done a really great job here, ensuring that the fun doesn't slow down the gameplay, even on the go.
Official website: themortalkombat.com
