Don't worry THEundying27, I have got your back. I totally agree with the feeling of disappointment with this edition of the MK series. The only difference is that I felt this disappointment when I first heard that I could see Batman facing off with Scorpion in an MK game, I was like WTF!!!. In my opinion, worse news was to follow in that the introduction of the DC characters would also mean the loss of MK's identity for being unapologetically brutal and full of gore due to the new Teen rating. Surely, those elements set MK apart from other fighting games.
I was told on several forums that I was judging a game before it had come out and I should wait for it's release before making judgment on the game. So I waited. I had hoped at least there would be a darker feel and look (like Gears of War “gritty” appearance) to the game. Instead the characters were so colourful and look “cartoony” which I think ties in more with the comic book guys from DC.
It also appears that they have made little effort to significantly change the fighting mechanics. They have simply opened up the combo system and added silly (imo) mini games that seem to break up the flow of the fighting. The new open combo system seems to hurt the animations even more. There seems to be little to no transition between moves, which makes for more jerky looking animation. I hardly think that this building the new fighting mechanic from the ground up. The animations seem to date all the way back to MK: DA.
The worst part of this is that it seems that everything is pointing to a game that is meant to appeal to DC fans and other neutral gamers rather than fans of the MK series. MK fans lose half a roster to guys from another franchise. MK's trademark gore and fatalities. Other MK features like the Krypt, Konquest mode, Puzzle kombat, Chess kombat and even the racing game. And gain introduction of mini games that suit the comic book universe more than the MK one. Really, MK fans only get their favorite characters in high resolution. I question the MK teams motives for this release. It looks like they are trying to gain new fans rather than please their current fan base.
From my point of view, it is quiet sad that MK fans have been given the short straw on this one. I have either played or own every version of MK since MK 1. In that past, I have blindly bought an MK title without much thought because of my love for the MK characters. Unfortunately, I found a trend developing from MK: DA through to MK: A. They just needed to throw in a new character or two, offer minor gameplay tweaks or even a mini game to make a sale. I think small gameplay tweaks are made when the game is near perfect or they have a truly winning formula but that has never been the case with the MK series on the last gen. There was an opportunity to greatly improve the fluidity of animations as well.
I am glad that they gave me an opportunity to wise up to their tactics with the announcement of the DC partnership. I was going to look for it in the bargain bin but I might not even do that now. The fact is that there are too many better rated and more complete fighting games on the next gen already (which I don't even own yet). The release of the new Tekken could end any interest in MK vs DCU. Obviously, this is my opinion on what MK means to me. I am sure I have ruffled some feathers.:mrgreen: