Sadly, Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) is at an end, even though we all still wish it was here. Though there were many great panels and great times to be had, one of the biggest parts of PAX was getting hands on with all of the new games we'll be seeing in the coming months.
While their competitors packed their booths with games, Midway showed up at PAX with three different multiplatform titles, one of the smaller offerings amongst developers and publishers in the exhibition hall. However, they turned out to have one of the most solid all-around booths, including two games I completely changed my mind on.
(Note: All games previewed were played on the Xbox 360.)
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (Release date: Nov. 10, 2008)
The buzz around this game had been lukewarm at best, mostly because there were some concerns over just how the game would play and if it would be violent enough. After having played the game at PAX, I can tell you that while Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe isn't the gorefest previous Mortal Kombat games have been, this game stands a chance of stealing Soulcalibur IV's title of Best Fighting Game in 2008. Fatalities are in fact in the game for all Mortal Kombat characters and DC villains, but DC heroes like Superman and Batman will have brutalities instead. The difference between this is negligible (brutalities don't kill the opponent, but do deliver a supremely brutal beat down) and shouldn't really detract from the overall experience.
Two somewhat newer additions to the Mortal Kombat franchise appear in this title. The first of those is Close Kombat, in which the action focuses in on the two fighters while they pummel each other at close range. For characters like Batman and Superman, this adds a sense of realism to them in this game, especially considering that is how both characters tend to fight. However, even for characters that don't normally fight close-up, Close Kombat is a welcome addition, letting you see your opponents be brutalized in full HD glory.
By the way, remember the old Test Your Might button-mashing mini-games? They're back, but not as you remember them. Instead of breaking blocks like in the old-school games, you'll be testing your might by slamming your opponents through the environment. For example, if you're fighting in Gotham or Metropolis, you'll be able to pick your opponent up and slam them through the buildings around you. As you do so, you'll be prompted to press the right buttons at the right time. Doing so not only looks cool, but it does a ton of damage. There's nothing quite like watching Batman do this to Scorpion.
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