GameSpot and
Kotaku both have reports on
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe from the floor of
Games Convention 08 in
Leipzig, Germany that details
The Joker's unique fighting strengths and weaknesses, along with the new
gameplay mechanic unveiled at
GC 08, the
Rage meter. First off,
The Joker has many comical weapons and attacks, including
exploding playing cards,
short-fuse bombs that can be thrown short or long that send your opponent flying towards or away respectively, a
joy buzzer that electrocutes your opponent upon contact with your hand, a
spring-loaded boxing glove that wallops the opponent, a
taunt move that has
The Joker prancing around in glee that build up the
Rage Meter and a
bright green camouflaging smoke that allows you to perform a random attack out of the cloud, including a
pistol whip.
GameSpot also had the opportunity to witness
The Joker's fatality.
And though we haven't seen the full roster yet, we're willing to bet that the Joker's fatality is the best in the bunch. After pulling a pistol on his dazed opponent, he pulls the trigger and a flag with the word "BANG" appears out of the barrel. Just when you think that's it, the Joker pulls out a real pistol and splits his opponents' wig. It's shocking and funny the first time you see it...just what you want from an MK fatality.
Also in the build at
Games Convention 08 was the debut of the all-new gameplay mechanic, the
Rage Meter. It seems to harken back to the days of the
Aggressor meter in
Mortal Kombat Trilogy.
Each character will have a rage meter, just underneath his or her health meter. You build your rage meter by taking and dealing damage or by blocking an opponent's strikes. As the meter fills up, you can use breaks to block an opponent's strikes. If you let the rage meter build up completely, however, you can enter rage mode (by pressing the shoulder buttons). Here, you'll have roughly six seconds to kick as much butt as you possibly can. Your attacks will be more powerful and, more importantly, unblockable. So, as long as you can make contact, you'll be pounding your foe into dust. Just watch out because his or her rage meter will be similarly building. As a result, you'll have to use your rage meter at the right moment (preferably to finish off your opponent). If you fail to do so, you might find yourself on the receiving end of a rage flurry.
UPDATE: Here is a video of Creative Director
Ed Boon describing
Rage Mode and it's two part usage of being a combo
"Breaker" and an
"Aggressor Mode".
Definitely some interesting stuff coming out of
Games Convention 08. Sounds like
The Joker might be quite the pain to play against online with people who can master his attacks. The
Rage Meter also brings another element of strategy to the table that may reward defensive tactics more than those who are constantly on the offensive. The
Rage Meter was the last of the major announcements planned for
Games Convention 08. The next opportunity for any major reveals is at the
Moscow Games event in the next few days.
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