Menu Close

NetherRealm Can Fix Balance Issues In MK Via Patches

Ben-Dutka 14 Comments

If you're encountering a definite lack of balance in Mortal Kombat , have no fear: developer NetherRealm can fix it.

According to what series creator Ed Boon told Eurogamer , the team can alter the effectiveness of special moves by simply offering a patch. In other words, if we find a character is too powerful or someone discovers an infinite combo that is totally unfair, the developers should spring into action behind the scenes. Said Boon:

"In Mortal Kombat we have a system where we can make adjustments to the special moves and balance things out even after the game has been released. If an infinite were to come out, or a character is too powerful, we can make adjustments and address those things immediately."

Capcom did this with Street Fighter IV – and most fans will agree that a re-balancing needed to happen – so such damage control isn't new. It's just nice to know that NetherRealm's "mini-updates" will continually deal with any balancing issues perceived by the fans.

"It's something that's built into our system. We can do it without having players have to download a patch. That's something we're very excited about. We can monitor what things players may have an issue with and then correct them as needed."

Boon finished by saying it's "impossible" to create a perfectly balanced fighter, which you may or may not believe. As for us, well…as you'll see in our review , there is a balancing issue. So get on that, NetherRealm.

Related Game(s): Mortal Kombat

Read more →

MK And Portal 2: The Coolest Launch Contrast Ever?

Ben-Dutka 51 Comments

Both Portal 2 and Mortal Kombat launch this week and you know, it might just be one of the coolest contrasts ever.

Thing is, one of the most annoying game-related stereotypes is the one that says "all games are the same." Most over the age of 40 seem to believe that every last game is about shooting something or killing something or jumping on something. What I find most compelling about this week's special contrast is that on the one hand, we have a game that freaked everyone out back in the '90s. Best of all, the new effort is a reboot designed to recapture the glory days, which – on the one hand – is bound to "support" the aforementioned stereotype. Hey, it's MK. Everyone, and I mean everyone , knows all about it.

On the flip side sits Portal 2 , Valve's new puzzle-oriented game that twists the mind and forces one to think on a different…well, plane, I guess. There is no shooting anything, and most will probably find that it's ingeniously designed. Puzzle-based at its core with just a wee bit of platforming, it'll challenge the intellectual problem-solving side of the player. Obviously, this form of entertainment sits on the exact opposite end of the spectrum from Mortal Kombat . Personally, I kinda want to lure the out-of-touch anti-game activists into a room, turn on MK, let them feel all vindicated, and then jump into Portal 2 and watch their heads explode.

Expect reviews for both games this week, but regardless of score, the contrast sort of helps prove that diversity is alive and well in this industry. An over-abundance of shooters can't stop that, damnit.

Related Game(s): Mortal Kombat, Portal 2

Read more →

Mortal Kombat Challenge Tower: 300 Unique Missions

Ben-Dutka 45 Comments

If you thought Mortal Kombat was all about the same ol' same ol', you thought wrong.

While it's true that NetherRealm is seeking to cater to the ardent long-time fans who wish to see a resurrection of all that made MK great, the team has implemented something quite new- the Challenge Tower. They talk about it in the video shown here; this mode features no less than 300 missions, all of which are designed to test your knowledge of the character(s) and the game's mechanics.