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Tekken 3 (PS)
by shaneo632
Though we have recently had the sixth Tekken game released, the third game remains quite possibly the best of the bunch, and is certainly one of the best beat 'em ups ever made. It is thoroughly, consistently entertaining and expertly crafted in every sense.
The most noticeable upgrade from the last game is the visuals; this ... looks a tonne better than the already-slick Tekken 2. The character models really pop, and there are far more dynamic particle effects. Also the stage designs look infinitely better, and although there still isn't any interactivity, they are marvellous backdrops for the carnage. My favourite visual element, though, has to be the FMV cut scenes, which were as well-directed and crafted as any Hollywood film of the time. Each character has an ending FMV when you beat Arcade Mode as them, and although they're quite short, the style is very comic book-esque, melding violence with an often kooky sense of humour. Aurally, the game also excels with a lot of sonic impact noises, and even a bit of character dialogue sprinkled throughout.
Gameplay-wise, it doesn't change too much from the last game, but just tightens everything up a lot. The speed of play has been ramped up a bit, making things even more intense, and the game has also adopted more martial arts styles now, making play a lot more varied, particularly if you play as the ridiculous Eddie Gordo. The controls are tighter than the previous games and very responsive. The Arcade Mode is fairly standard fare, but there is an excellent Tekken Ball mode to play, where you and another player can hit a Volleyball at each other, and if it hits the ground, the offending player takes a hit of damage.
Visually immense, and with highly addictive gameplay, this is a beat 'em up landmark and an enduring classic.
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Mortal Kombat Trilogy (PS)
by thole09
"Mortal Kombat Trilogy" is a 2D fighting game. It was released for the Sony Playstation console in 1996 by GT Interactive and is a one disc title. In the European market, the game received an age guidance rating of 15 and above.
Mortal Kombat is renowned for it's violent bloodsport of full contact martial arts. The ... onslaught of gore and virtual brutality is what has made the series a success, and has seemed to keep it relevant over its years of repetitive installments. Trilogy marks the final release in the 2D side scrolling franchise before its 3D upgrade, and fans of the Mortal Kombat legacy need not miss this release.
Every character who was featured in prior Mortal Kombat video games makes a stand in the Trilogy roster. The game features a total of 32 combatants which include the classics in Liu Kang and Sub Zero, the boss characters including Shao Khan and Goro, and lesser known names such as Sektor and Sheeva. Each character is functionally the same in that each participant features a host of special strikes and throws when executing a series of button commands, but are different in the style of which these special moves are used. Playing through the game as each character provided me with endless hours of exploring and discovering how certain commands were executed. Of course, the Internet is a great resource for walkthroughs and move lists but the simple few button maneuvers are easily found and generally memorable.
The game itself is primarily in its "Mortal Kombat" mode which requires the player to select a fighter of his or her choosing and compete in a series of ladder style bouts with each fight increasing in difficulty. Even at the basic "Novice" setting I found myself struggling by the third bout. There is a clear artificial intelligence which becomes increasingly receptive to my moves and eventually blocks every attempt when trying to deal damage. The game offers an unlimited number of credits for continued play and I often found it necessary to make use of a few tries before successfully countering an opponent's uncanny whim.
The graphics are presented from a side view which focuses on the centre of the bout. Each character appears visually suitable on the Sony Playstation and reflect their traditional attire. Where the game faults is its very slow load speeds. Each fight requires up to a minute on a generic loading screen prior to actually engaging in a fight. When bouts can end in less than the time required to load it, the lag can appear excessive. As a Mortal Kombat fan I didn't find this to be overly intrusive to my gaming experience but it was nonetheless noticeable. The soundtrack keeps with the traditional moans, grunts and voiceovers heard on earlier games. There is a menacing sort of tone to the musical scores and the sudden "Finish Him!" effect is always a pleasant conclusion to a bout.
Overall, Mortal Kombat Trilogy offers a suitable addition to any Playstation gamer's library. It is a very in depth release featuring many participants which could keep players occupied for several hours. I would happily recommend this title to prospective buyers.
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Mortal Kombat Trilogy (PS)
by Revier
Mortal Kombat, the epitamy of over the top, needless gore and violence. Obscene, offensive and down right fantastic.
MK trilogy is an amalgamation of the first three games, characters and stages are all brought together under one plastic roof.
For those who have never had the pleasure, Mortal Kombat is a series of ... 2D side on beat 'em ups. Fights are divided into 2 or 3 rounds and the final blow sees your enemy dazed and confused enabling one of a variety of finishing moves to be performed. This is really what makes MK stand out as a series, finishing moves require a complex sequence of buttons to be pressed at a required distance from your foe. Finishers varied from the bewildering Babality where your enemy is turned into a mewling infant, Friendship where you offer your opponent a gesture of chumliness usually in the shape of flowers or a gift, and the standard fatality where your adversary is dispatched in a variety of brutal ways.
MK trilogy not only unites most playable characters and areas from the first three games, it also adds some new aspects of it's own. Such as the 'Aggressor' bar which fills up with each succesful hit until the bar fills to spell out the word that gives the bar it's name, for a short time the effected player enjoys a boost in speed and power. Also new moves and fatalities have been added to the game.
MK trilogy is a must have for all old skool beat 'em up fans and for gamers in general. I have played both the playstation and N64 version and the ps version is definately the one to get, it features 6 more characters than Nintendo's version including the four armed hulks in the form of Kintaro and Goro.
Single player manifests itself in a series of ladders, tournaments where you must defeat your enemy to progress another rung up the ladder, completion of the ladder (of which there are four of varying difficulties) will unlock a secret character including the towering centaur Motaro.
The games real appeal for me though is the 2 player experience, fast, frenzied and utterly brutal, this is where MK trilogy really shines. Theres nothing like ripping the arms off your sibling, before booting them off the top of a precariously high walkway to their certain doom.
The PS version has a total of 36 playable characters including the enigmatic Shang Tsung, who can briefly morph into any one of these characters as well as having an array of powerful moves himself.
MKT is a fantastic game, simple, brutal and utterly addictive, a must have for old skoolers and gamers in general, can be picked up nowadays for relative peanuts. Without a doubt the finest single disc in the series, a world apart from the diabolically terrible Mortal Kombat 4.
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