Top 10: Mortal Kombat Characters

Welcome to another post on 'Stories of Entertainment'.

October has finally come and Halloween will be here soon enough. Best time of the year  to watch horror movies, ranging from subtle to shock and gore. Of course, this post isn't with subtle but instead lots and lots of gore. This is the month for Mortal Kombat!

(Just seeing the image would make you think of the theme song)

For this month, I'll be looking at some of my personal favorite characters from the series, as well as get a look at the story of MK's recent installation, Mortal Kombat 9. 

For this list, there are a few guidelines I'm following:

1. These are my personal favorites, not the best overall.

2. I'll be looking at their backstory, character design, movesets, and pick my favorite fatality out of their set.

3. All these characters are pre-Mortal Kombat 9 (which is basically a reboot of the entire series, so most characters would be left out)

With that out of the way, time to get this list started:

10. Kano

(New meaning to the phrase 'evil eye')

The boss of the criminal organization, the Black Dragon, Kano is the kind of guy you don't expect a fair fight out of. Dangerous with knives and wielding a laser eye, Kano was among the first Mortal Kombat characters ever introduced in the series. He's had a longstanding rivalry with Special Forces member, Sonya Blade (see that thing he carries around his neck? Its a lock of Sonya's hair), as well as Jax and Red Dragon member Mavado. He's an Aussie you don't want to mess with.

His moveset is interesting, for starters. Aside from using knives and that laser eye, he's got an air roll that allows him to fly across the board and knock his opponents silly. Think Blanka from 'Street Fighter' to see what I mean. He's mostly known for his fatality of ripping out a person's heart, but there is another fatality that just speaks to me even more:

(Why rip out just the heart when you can take their entire skeleton?)

9. Bo' Rai Cho

(The 'teacher' of the MK universe)

Its alright for you to first think that Bo' Rai Cho would be considered useless, but not to me. Aside from being a teacher to one of Earthrealm's greatest fighters (Liu Kang), he's a strong fighter in his own right. Despite being from Outworld, he's a good guy who can get on the fun side if he wants. His overweight appearance hides his cunning and use of his weight that can throw off most opponents. Some people may take him as a joke, but he doesn't mind.

His moveset fits his appearance rather well. He mostly relies on Sumo techniques and the unpredictable Drunken Boxing style. His stomp can pop his opponent into the air and he has weaponized his puke to throw off his opponent's balance. While he doesn't have that many fatalities to his name, there is one that brings a classic fatality to mind:

(The dangers of mixing alcohol and fire, put to the extreme)

8. Cyrax

(Also known as Mustard to the MK crew)

One of the few robots in the MK universe, Cyrax stands out as the only one to turn good in the end. Having been turned into a cyborg by the ninja clan, the Lin Kuei, Cyrax has been working to try and regain his humanity that was taken from him. He ended up joining the forces of Good in the form of the Special Forces. While he has managed to recover his human soul, he still remains a partially robotic fighter.

Course, being a robot has given him some usefully abilities. Among his most notable are his series of bombs, a set of energy nets, a laser sword (yes, he has one), and the ability to teleport by coming apart and pulling himself back together again. His chest houses most of his weapons, including a massive buzz-saw that can cut up his opponent. Speaking of his chest...

(Not enough to get slammed repeatedly, but then put through the meat grinder)

7. Kabal

(Turns out that he was created from a contest. Weird, eh?)

Looking like the cross between a Predator and a burn victim, Kabal is definetly more than meets the eye. He was once a member of the Black Dragon criminal organization before turning good during Shao Kahn's invasion. After being ambushed and left for dead by Mavado, Kabal was helped by a cleric of Chaos named Havik. He soon returned to his evil ways, reforming the Black Dragon and becoming a true force of chaos upon the Earth. Not back for a guy who has been badly injured.

He does have some of the more stranger abilities in the MK universe. Aside from wielding his signature hookswords, he can also run fast enough to make his opponents spin, shoot energy blasts from his mask, and somehow summon sawblades from the ground. He sure loves his hookswords, though.

(Ouch. Just...ouch)

6. Johnny Cage

(Complete with 500-dollar sunglasses)

Its hard not to like Johnny Cage for his shear ridiculousness. A Hollywood actor with special abilities that most people figure are just special effects, Johnny Cage has been working as a force for good on Earth. While he may be a jerk at times, his heart is in the right place. Still, it doesn't stop him from being the butt monkey of the group, usually on the receiving end of a beat down most of the time. That ego of his hasn't exactly deflated throughout the years and it doesn't show signs of slowing down.

His powers, at least from what I've seen, deal with 'shadow energy'. It allows him to launch himself forward and lob energy balls at his opponent. Still, what most people associate with him is his famous nut punch. Johnny Cage does the splits just so he can punch someone in nuts. Its as hilarious as it sounds. There are times when it can be taken to the extreme, of course...

(Its at this point you're glad stuff like this can't happen in real life.)

5.Reptile

(Guess why he has that name?)

One of the last surviving members of a race called the Saurian, Reptile has been in the MK universe since the very beginning as a secret boss. Since then, while he's been made into a playable character, he has somewhat been turned into a butt monkey himself. He often gets screwed out of deals, being manipulated like hell, or just being used as a punching bag for the good guys. It may not be too hard to sympathize with him, but the fact that he'll just as quickly fight you as eat you, its better to keep a safe distance from this character.

Befitting his name and appearance, Reptile's abilities come from different species of reptiles. He can turn invisible, similar to a chameleon blending into its environment, as well as use his corrosive saliva to spit at enemies or fire powerful blasts. That same saliva is capable of eating through human flesh in moments if using quite a lot of it. Speaking off...

(Quite nasty)

4. Jade

(Ma'am.)

Like Reptile, Jade was once a bonus boss, this time for Mortal Kombat 2. Unlike Reptile, she is an Edenian along with the likes of Kitana and Sindel (Edenians aren't some Amazonian race, though they do provide a lot of the female cast) In any case, Jade has been a loyal friend to Kitana through thick and thin, helping out the forces of good whenever she can. Despite being utterly ruthless in battle, she is capable of a sincere and sometimes sarcastic personality. Besides, I didn't feel like making this entire list a sausage fest. 

Jade tends to be thought of as a walking armory of sorts, since she has been known to mostly use weapons in the MK cast. Though she does have some magic that helps her deliver flying kicks and let projectiles pass through her, Jade utilizes razor sharp boomerangs and a special staff. By 'special', I mean the staff is often used to impale her opponents. For example...

(Just need a few more heads and she would have a complete set.)

3. Smoke

(Where to begin with Smoke?)

First appearing in the second Mortal Kombat, Smoke has had a very interesting history. He was once playable as just a regular ninja, like Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Then he ends up being unwillingly turned into a cyborg by the Lin Kuei. Since then, he's been flipping around between good and evil, eventually setting on good in the end. At that time, he's somehow become a nanite-infused smoke cloud (from what I'm getting at) who still has access to his smoke abilities through said nanites. Its been a confusing life for Smoke.

Naturally befitting his name, Smoke has a few smoke-based powers aside from the usual technology associated with cyborgs in the MK universe. This just amounts to a teleporting uppercut and the ability to turn invisible. Among his cybernetic gadgets is a trident that flies out his chest and impales people. (What fun) 

Of course, there are his fatalities to take into consideration.

(No kill like overkill)

2. Sub-Zero

(New meaning to 'cold shoulder)

Surprisingly, Sub-Zero has actually been two different people (brothers who have used the same name). The Elder Sub-Zero died at the hands of Scorpion, but his younger brother took up the name after his parting. Seeing what the Lin Kuei was becoming, the younger Sub-Zero left the clan and became a force for good. He ended up rebuilding the clan into a more honorable group than what it was before. It has not been an easy life, with attacks from the ghostly specter Noob Saibot (actually his brother brought back to life) and the selfish Frost (another Cryomancer like the Sub-Zero brothers).

Not surprisingly, Sub-Zero has the ability to manipulate the cold. This comes in a variety of effects, like freezing people with an ice ball or using the ice to slide across the ground. He can also create ice clones that, upon being struck, freeze the attack as if an ice ball struck them. Of course, there have been some fatalities where the cold powers came in handy. In the first game however...

(You can pinpoint the moment when the ESRB was formed)

1. Scorpion

(The original Hellspawn)

What is there to say about Scorpion? He's become the main icon for Netherrealm Studios (he's on their logo) and has become one of the few re-occurring characters to be in every major Mortal Kombat game. After being slain by the Elder Sub-Zero, Scorpion came back as a specter for revenge. Over time, he has managed to fight alongside the Younger Sub-Zero and discover the killer of his ninja clan, Quan Chi. He;s been on the hunt for the sorceror since and refuses to give up. As a vengeful spirit, it is doubtful that Scorpion will every find peace in his afterlife.

As always, some of his moves are befitting that of a Hellspawn. He can teleport to deliver a fiery punch, summon hellfire from beneath his opponent, or perform a backflip that leaves behind hellfire. His iconic move is his throwing spear, shouting "GET OVER HERE!" as he launches it towards his opponent and reels them in like a big catch. Then there are his fatalities.

(Toasty.)

...and that would be my Top 10 Favorite Mortal Kombat characters. Next time, I'll be looking at 'Mortal Kombat 9' and wonder what to expect from the reboot of the series.

Until next time...

Mortal Kombat is owned by Netherrealm Studios and DC Interactive.

Review: Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe

Welcome to another review on 'Stories of Entertainment'.

Crossovers between different companies through various medias isn't that common, though it is one that can grab people's attention. its not everyday yo get to see the likes of Mario and Sonic fighting one another in a video game. Still, there are some crossovers that make people raise and eyebrow to and ask, "Why?" Case in point: Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe!

(The crossover not many would've expected)

Published by Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment and then-Midway Games, this game features different heroes and villains of the DC Universe taking on the brutal fighters of the Mortal Kombat universe. Is this a formula for success? Well, kinda, no.

Not many people really asked for a crossover like this (the more popular choice would've been Mortal Kombat VS Street Fighter) and a 'T' rating, involving a series used to being 'M' rated, that turned off several people from the get-go. Still, this can be considered a transitional period between the Mortal Kombat Armageddon and Mortal Kombat 9 in terms of production. In a sense, this would lead to the creation of Netherworld Studios and the re-introduction of Mortal Kombat to the masses. 

One of the things that would lead to a 'Mortal Kombat rebirth' would be MK VS DC's story mode, trying to create a story that featured the characters from two different universes. How much of a success was it? Time to find out.

The story for the two universes begin at the end of a great battle. The MK universe has the evil emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn fleeing after failing to conquer Earthrealm. The DC universe has the evil god Darkseid losing a battle against Superman. 

During a confrontation with the thunder god Raiden, Shao Kahn tries to take out the sorceror Quan Chi for fleeing him through a portal. After Shao Kahn knocks Quan Chi aside, Raiden shocks Shao Kahn as he stands near the portal, the energies engulfing Shao Kahn as an explosion erupts and seemingly destroys the emperor. Thinking the Emperor dead, Raiden deals with Quan Chi.

After Superman drops Darkseid several hundred feet from the air, he confronts Lex Luthor for his part in helping Darkseid. As the evil god flees through a 'boom tube', Superman uses his heat vision to stop him, not knowing that the energy would disrupt the 'tube' and seemingly destroy Darkseid. Afterwords, Superman takes Lex Luthor to a prison for his crimes.

Elsewhere in Metropolis, the mercenary named Deathstroke crosses paths with the Flash, who appeared in Metropolis to help with cleanup. Flash manages to beat Deathstroke, but starts suffering from some strange headaches. Shrugging them off, he gets called to Gotham City to help Batman.

Back in the MK universe, Liu Kang is meditating at the Shaolin Monastery when his friend Kitana arrives. They talk about how their own friends, Kitana's Edenian forces and Liu Kang's monks, have disappeared. They decided to focus on the remaining groups that could pull this off: the criminal Black Dragons and the elusive Lin Kuei. Kitana goes to help Sonya Blade, who has a grudge against the Black Dragon known as Kano, while Liu Kang goes searching for someone from the Lin Kuei.

In Gotham City, home of Batman, the Flash manages to catch the burglar Catwoman as she was stealing a priceless artifact. Strangely enough, Kano appears trying to take the artifact himself. The Flash tries to intervine, but develops another strange headache. Catwoman manages to snatch the artifact back up, but soon walks into a random portal by mistake. The Flash, now seemingly possessed by some force, fights Kano under the belief he was working with Catwoman. He nearly ends up killing Kano before Batman appears to stop the Flash. Flash switches to fight Batman, though ends up getting tasered when he thought he beat him.

Back over to the MK universe, Liu Kang manages to find Sub-Zero, an ice ninja of the Lin Kuei. The two fight, though they both stop when they realize that neither one is causing the other's forces to disappear. In an effort to gain Sub-Zero's trust, Liu Kang manages to save Sub-Zero from a sneak attack by the spectre Scorpion. As Sub-Zero flees to help his clan, Liu Kang manages to hold his own against Scorpion. During the fight, Scorpion appears to be convulsing with yellow energy, rather similar to the Flash. Liu Kang tries to go in for a finishing move, but Scoprion gets them both engulfed in yellow light.

In Batcave, Batman tries to go over the Flash's physicality, trying to figure out what drove the speedster mad. However, the Flash soon starts glowing yellow energy and convulses as well, forcing Batman to back off. Soon, a bright light erupts and a startling event has occurred: the Flash and Scorpion end up switching places!

Liu Kang fights with the Flash (thinking him to be the shape-shifting sorcerer, Shang Tsung) and Scorpion fights Batman (thinking him to be Sub-Zero). Both Flash and Scorpion get beaten, with Liu Kang realizing that Flash is someone different and Batman learning that Scorpion isn't human at all. Liu Kang takes the unconscious Flash back to the Shaolin Monastery, only to be confronted by the real Shang Tsung. Liu Kang manages to beat the sorcerer, then getting a call from Sonya Blade. She is close to tracking down Kano, but can't pin down his location. Liu Kang explains that they could be dealing with another invasion of sorts and tries to connect to the Flash's 'chi'. However, he gets an overload of the mysterious energy within Flash and disappears.

Sonya tries to reconnect with Liu Kang back at her HQ, trying to link up the teleporter to Liu Kang's current position. She gets interrupted by the arrival of Catwoman, who Sonya Blade quickly beats down. She leaves Catwoman to be taken in as she tries to reach Liu Kang by herself.

Back in Gotham, Batman tries to get more information from Scorpion (which involves taking the spectre for a ride in the Batmobile), but gets stopped by a surprise attack from the Joker. Both get a surprise when Liu Kang appears. Batman tries to help him, but Liu Kang, seeing Batman as Shang Tsung, fights him instead. Batman manages to beat Liu Kang, but Scorpion and the Joker have disappeared as the two were fighting. Batman calls the Green Lantern to take him up to the Watchtower orbiting the Earth to try and extract more information.

Sonya Blade reaches Raiden's Sky Temple and tries to contact him, but gets a surprise in the form of the hero Captain Marvel. The good Captain tries to explain himself to Sonya, but gets taken over by the same energy that has been infecting people at times, known as 'the rage'.

At the Watchtower, Batman goes over the details with Green Lantern, thinking something is off. He knows that Scorpion is clearly inhuman (and possibly connected to Darkseid, in this sense), but Liu Kang is not. Green Lantern lets Batman continues his investigating as he tries to find Superman, who has disappeared after the events with Darkseid. Surprisingly, Green Lantern manages to find Captain Marvel fighting Sonya Blade, intervening on his friend's behalf. However, Sonya Blade, empowered by 'the Rage' manages to beat Green Lantern down. Fortunately, Captain Marvel saves him and they both try to fly back to the Watchtower. Jax, Sonya's partner, appears and tries to help her up, but she starts seeing him as Kano (much like how Liu Kang saw Batman as Shang Tsung). The two end up brawling as a result.

Meanwhile, Batman gets his investigation interrupted by the arrival of Raiden. The thunder god manages to hold of Batman long enough to rescue Liu Kang. However, Batman notices that the energy of 'the Rage' appears across the Earth. Back at the Sky Temple, Jax manages to keep Sonya down long enough for Raiden to appear with Liu Kang. They come to the conclusion that Shao Kahn is alive, merging the Earth with another world and launching a new invasion force in the form of heroes from the DC universe. Jax heads back to the base with Sonya Blade, intent on fixing the teleporter and launch a counter attack at the Watchtower itself.

On Themyscira, home of the Amazons, the island is starting to merge with Shang Tsung's island. Wonder Woman, champion of the Amazons, manages to fight off the mad sorceror and sent him back running. A call of Batman reveals that, of course, the planets are merging with one another. Wonder Woman gets the idea to go find Superman once more, starting in Metropolis.

Back at their HQ, Jax starts reconfiguring the portal generator to reach the Watchtower. He gets a surprise visit from Lex Luthor, who tries to buy off the portal technology. Course, Jax doesn't take the offer and has to take Luthor down once he knows he's hostile. With Luthor locked up as well, Jax and Sonya start their trip to the Watchtower.

Back in Metropolis, Wonder Woman tries to follow a fleeing Kitana, only to lose her in a portal jump. She gets a call in from Batman once more, now saying that Superman's Fortress of Solitude has been breached. Wonder Woman soon flies to the north and, upon reaching the Fortress, sees Sub-Zero and a frozen Superman. The two fight, with Sub-Zero losing and Superman being freed. When Superman flies back to Metropolis, Wonder Woman gets the call from Green Lantern that Captain Marvel is wrecking the place in a rage. Wonder Woman flies back to the Watchtower, with Sub-Zero in tow.

In the Watchtower, Jax and Sonya arrive, but end up in completely different places. They both hide out temporarily and wait for the right moment to strike. Elsewhere, Wonder Woman arrives fast enough to see Captain Marvel blast Green Lantern, forcing the latter to disappear. Captain Marvel is under 'the Rage's influence once more, forcing Wonder Woman to fight him and force him under lock and key.

Green Lantern, meanwhile, has teleported to Oa, where the Guardians of the Universe are explaining how not just the Earth, but the entire universe is being merged with another. Before anymore can be explained, Lex Luthor and Catwoman make a surprise visit, having escaped and used the same portal tech from the MK fighters. However, Luthor gets into a rant on how he believes that the Green Lantern's ring should be his own, all the while under the influence of 'the Rage'. Green Lantern manages to defeat him, but the Guardians interrupt before more fighting can take place. They explain how 'the Rage' is infecting everyone, forcing energy between beings to be redistributed to try and balance 'the Rage'. If it continues, then neither universe will survive the merging. With his ring recharged, the Green Lantern takes Luthor and Catwoman back to Earth to mount a defense against the MK universe.

Back in the Watchtower, Jax manages to get into a fight with both Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman, both of whom fall under 'the Rage's influence. He also manages to free Sub-Zero, allowing the ninja to form a partnership of sorts. Sub-Zero believes that he knows how to fix the problem, but he needs a certain individual to help him in the matter: the villain Quan Chi.

As Sub-Zero leaves to find Quan Chi, Green Lantern reaches the Watchtower and fights off Jax and Sonya Blade. He meets up with Captain Marvel once more, now calmed down enough to review 'the Rage' over with Green Lantern. The good Captain then heads off to his home, the Rock of Eternity, to communicate with his ally, the Wizard Shazam.

Back with Sub-Zero, he reaches Raiden's Sky Temple to talk with the thunder god. Raiden doesn't trust him at first, but knows that now is not the time to turn down help. The thunder god tells Sub-Zero of a mysterious structure that appeared right across from his sky temple (its actually the Rock of Eternity) and explains how powers are being re-balanced as the worlds are merging. Raiden then suggests Sub-Zero to search for Scorpion, who has always been known to work closely with Quan Chi. Sub-Zero leaves to find the spectre as Raiden continues his study of the Rock of Eternity.

Captain Marvel soon appears at the Rock of Eternity, fighting Raiden and blasting the thunder god back to his temple. He gets a vision from the Wizard, explaining the force that is behind the merging: Dark Kahn, a terrible infusion of Shao Kahn and Darkseid. His existence is what's causing the merging, so his defeat would end it. The Wizard believes that a team of 'light and dark' is needed, with Superman taking the fight straight to Dark Kahn. Captain Marvel begins his flight to Metropolis, hoping to find Superman.

Elsewhere, Sub-Zero manages to trace Scorpion back to the Batcave, fighting Batman himself for awhile. After the fight, a portal to the Netherrealm appears, with Scoprion pulling Sub-Zero in. Sub-Zero finds Quan Chi trapped in the Netherrealm, but ends up fighting Scorpion before he could get any answers. Their fight starts to destabilize the Netherrealm, enough to free Quan Chi. However, the sorcerer tells Sub-Zero that they need a team to combat 'the Rage' and sends him back to warn Raiden. He then orders Scorpion to find Kitana, whom he believes has come in contact with their enemy.

Scorpion goes searching for Kitana, first starting in Gotham City. He beats down the Joker for insulting him and then leaves. However, Joker ends up being recruited by Luthor for some purpose. Scorpion arrives in Metropolis, fighting off Superman before finding Kitana. He ends up restraining her while Quan Chi tries to control her. Once successful, Quan Chi orders his allies (Scorpion, Shang Tsung, and the dangerous Baraka) to take on Captain Marvel, who has arrived in Metropolis, while he goes to meet with Raiden.

The MK fighters try to weaken Captain Marvel by dragging him into the Netherrealm, but do not succeed in winning. Captain Marvel arrives back in Metropolis, only to be greeted by the group of villains led by Luthor (The Joker, Catwoman, and Deathstroke). Superman appears, ready to fight Luthor, but Captain Marvel tells the two to back off and join forces against Dark Kahn. They agree, with Luthor suggesting to find the MK's portal to reach Darkseid's home, the planet Apokolips. They split up into groups: Deathstroke and the Joker go off to find the portal, Luthor sticks with Catwoman, and Superman and Captain Marvel go recruit the rest of the heroes to work together.

Back at Raiden's Sky Temple, Quan Chi appears with Kitana in tow, explain to Raiden, Liu Kang, and Sub-Zero about the situation at hand. He drains all his make to return Kitana to normal, who then explains that the enemy is Dark Kahn. They decide to launch an assault against the DC superheroes and villains, requiring the forces of 'light and dark' to work together as well. This leads to an interesting partnership with Liu Kang and Shang Tsung...

Meanwhile, Deathstroke and the Joker keep searching for the base, though run into Sonya Blade and Kano along the way. Joker tries to kill Sonya with an acid flower, though it just ends up damaging her wrist teleporter. All 4 get teleported to Oa, of all places, and start fighting. While Deathstroke deals with Kano, Joker manages to beat Sonya, much to everyone's surprise. Joker steps in to take care of Kano while Deathstroke manages to work on Sonya's teleporter to send them back home. Upon arrival, Joker double-crosses Deathstroke, saying he doesn't care what happens to the world. He beats the assassin, coming to the conclusion that he'll be more than a match for Batman.

At the Fortress of Solitude, the unlikely pair of Liu Kang and Shang Tsung end up fighting Superman and Green Lantern. Both MK fighters end up triumphant, though Shang Tsung makes the comment of how they were easier to defeat than Liu Kang's masters. Liu Kang gives into 'the Rage' and tries to fight him, but surprisingly loses. Shang Tsung believes that the redistribution of energies have taken away most of his power before and are now returning back to him. Before he could elaborate anymore, Green Lantern awakens and knocks out Liu Kang. Shang Tsung defeats Green Lantern to save Liu Kang, only noting that they need him to save the world.

In Gotham City, Joker confronts Batman and, to his surprise, beats him. During his moment of glory, he gets tasered by Batman, who let Joker win to prevent further harm. Batman calls up Luthor, saying how Joker let 'the Rage' get to his head. Luthor rebuttals, saying that he sent the pair on a wild goose chase to distract the enemy. Batman warns Luthor that if he betrays the group now, the Dark Knight will personally hunt him down and make him pay. Switching over to Luthor and Catwoman, the pair keep looking for the MK base they were in before. Soon, the villains get confronted by Sub-Zero and Scorpion. Taking action, Luthor manages to beat both Sub-Zero and Scorpion by himself. He continues the search for the base with Catwoman in tow.

Back with the MK fighters, they discuss their recent losses against the DC universe. When Shang Tsung and Liu Kang arrive, the sorcerer makes the comment on how Kano was 'defeated by a clown'. Kano doesn't take it too kindly, soon giving into 'the Rage' and fighting the sorcerer.

Meanwhile, Luthor and Catwoman manage to track down the MK base and portal. Luthor works on downloading schematics of the portal tech while Catwoman does recon. However, Luthor soon gets confronted by Jax, though soundly defeats the MK fighter this time. To his surprise, Flash arrives, overcome by 'the Rage', and with an unconscious Catwoman in tow. Luthor manages to knock 'the Rage' out of Flash just in time for the rest of the group. With the portal rerouted, the heroes step in to travel to Apokolips.

Back with the MK fighters, Shang Tsung beats Kano, though Sonya tells him to spare his life, mostly because he is still needed. She gets a call from Jax (whom Raiden teleports to bring him to the group), explaining how the DC heroes got the drop on him and are using the portal. Raiden decides enough is enough and they need to take the fight to Dark Kahn. Kitana opens a portal to Outworld, with all the fighters stepping in and ready to fight.

When the heroes and fighters re-appear, they find their respective domains nothing more than shattered debris floating in space. They both confront one another, prompting the appearance of Dark Kahn. The being channels 'the Rage' through them all, forcing them to fight til exhaustion.

However, Superman and Raiden manage to break free from 'the Rage' (this is after going a few rounds with Luthor and Batman, for Superman, and Shang Tsung an Liu Kang, for Raiden). Both end up reaching the stronghold of Dark Kahn, but that close proximity to him forces the to back into 'the Rage' and fight. Fighting back against 'the Rage', the two use its energies against Dark Kahn, destroying the being once and for all. Both the heroes and villains return to their respective dimensions (DC characters are in Darkseid's stronghold and the MK fighters are in Shao Kahn's throne room.) To everyone's surprise, Shao Kahn and Darkseid end up switching places, ending up in each other's realms and lost all of their power. They both end up imprisoned with everything returning almost normal.

Whew, that was a lot to get through. However, this was all that contributed to the story, as a few other scenes took place that was little more than filler that could be taken out to make things go faster. For the most part, this was an entire compilation of two campaigns, so its a lot to take in at this point.

Anyway, that was the story of MK vs DC. Feels like one big clusterfunk, doesn't it? The concept for 'the Rage' is good, though its still hard to imagine some of the DC characters losing out to MK fighters in such a way. Its rather confusing and repedative at times, though some characters manage to get some cool moments tossed in. Overall, its good story to a not-so-good game. Now to wait on Netherrealm Studios' Injustice: Gods Among Us game to see if they can really pull of a DC fighting game.

Until next time...

Before I forget, here is the entire movie compilation that helped this review (thanks to Cr4z1D0G):

Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe is owned by Warner Bros Interactive

Guild Wars 2: A Look into Destiny's Edge

Welcome to another post on 'Stories of Entertainment'.

Well, the highly-anticipated 'Guild Wars 2' has been out for at least a week. The Buy-To-Play MMORPG is  already turning peoples' heads with its skill mechanics, massive fantasy world, and a surprisingly loyal fanbase. This ArenaNet production is, of course, the sequel to the 2005 hit 'Guild Wars'.

Now, for my opinion on 'Guild Wars'? I never really got into it. It just didn't seem to get me into the daily grind of an MMORPG. Its status as a Buy-To-Play did get my attention, but it really didn't amount to much once I got the game started. To me at the time, it felt like a poor version of 'World of Warcraft'. I know, its a crappy comment, but that was how I felt at the time. My opinion hasn't exactly improved on the original as time passed on, even when the 'Hall of Monuments' awards program went online.

'Guild Wars 2', on the other hand? I felt immediately invested in my characters, loving the setting pieces for each place and the combat was pretty fun (especially when you get a huge crowd of people to complete one event). While you might not consider its gameplay to be incredibly revolutionary, its still works for the game itself.

Anyway, backpedal a bit to what I wanted to talk about in 'Guild Wars 2': its characters. Not the PCs, mind you, but the characters that would be the kind you would see in a TV show like 'Justice League'. These are the heroes who would've been the leads in a story: the group called Destiny's Edge.

(This should give you a good idea of what to expect from the heroes)

The game itself takes place about 250 years after 'Guild Wars', so locations and characters are bound to change. From this change, players are allowed to pick from 5 different races to play as and 8 different professions (i.e.classes) to choose from. 

From the races, we have:

• Humans: The original playable race from 'Guild Wars', the humans are kind of on the 'dying race' side of things (which is ironic, given their position in other games). With most of their original kingdoms fallen, the city of Kryta is the only one still standing. Even so, that won't stop bandits or a corrupt upper class from trying to take it over for their own. As always, humans are bastards, even in the face of possible extinction.
• Charr: A race of cat-like people who used to be enemies in the original 'Guild Wars', they have become their allies in this day and age. Very industrious and militaristic, the Charr have managed to carve out a new homeland for themselves and won't let anyone try to dislodge them out of it. Course, they have to contend with the Flame Legion, a group of Charr who dominated the rest before being overthrown, and ghosts from the conquered human kingdom of Ascalon.
• Norn: This giant-like race is your typical Norse parallel, with the added fact that they were run out of their homes by the Elder Dragon known as Jormag. After making a new home, the Norn won't back down from a fight and are preparing to face off against Jormag once more. As always, they have trouble of their own, like a group called the Sons of Svanir, who worship Jormag as a deity. Course, nothing like a good pounding to make sure that group stays down.
• Asura: Think of them as the gnomes of 'Guild Wars'. Intelligent in both science and magic, the asura is one of the smartest races in the world and boy, do they like to boast about it. At times, their experiments run the risk of going out of control, but give them credit that they are willing to fix their mistakes, especially if they're someone else's. While they do best not to harm other intelligent life on purpose, the splinter group called the Inquest won't like ideas like morality stop their experiments.
• Sylvari: The sylvari are actually a new race, with their oldest being only born 25 years ago. From a massive plant known as the Pale Tree, the sylvari are a bit naive but willing to learn and fight to defend themselves as well as others. In a way, they are basically elves in plant form. Like the races before them, there is another faction that seeks to usurp them: the Nightmare Court. Since sylvari transfer their experience through the Pale Tree, the Nightmare Court intends to separate them from it.

Now onto the different professions:

• Warrior: Your standard bruiser, armored up and capable of wielding an assortment of weapons. Also known to carry banners and shout inspiration to their comrades.
• Guardian: The 'paladin' of sorts, using magic alongside their armor. Can use virtues, wards, and even summon ethereal weaponry to help in a fight.
• Engineer: The builder who uses guns, turrets and all manner of explosions in a fight. Uses a tool-belt to switch up tools during a confrontation.
• Ranger: A protector of the wild, with an animal companion at their side. Can use some nature magic to  summon spirits and also set up some traps.
• Thief: Stealth and guile are only part of the thief's arsenal. There is also an amount of tools, poisons and tricks to take out their enemies.
• Elementalist: An expert in air, water, fire, and earth, wielding each one with great ease. They often focus on one element above all, as well as use some arcane spells.
• Necromancer: Master of the dead and bringer of plague (of sorts). Expect people's health to drop quickly when they're fighting this class.
• Mesmer: Expert in the mental arts, capable of creating convincing illusions and mental projections. These 'clones' are capable of fighting for limited amounts of time.

Now that the races and classes are out of the way, its time to move onto the heroes of Destiny's Edge themselves.

First up is the human guardian known as Logan Thackeray.

Logan was once a scout working at a defensive perimeter near Ebonhawke. At one point, he joined up with the adventurers Rytlock and Caithe, forming the group called Edge of Steel. He later met with the queen of the humans named Jennah, whom he shares a magical bond with that allows them to alert one another of their danger.

Eventually, the Edge of Steel met with Dragonspawn's Destiny, with Eir, Zojja and Snaff amongst that group. The two groups formed Destiny's Edge and took to fighting the Elder Dragon's themselves. After defeating many of the dragon's champions, they attempted to kill an Elder Dragon itself. Unfortunately, Logan's bond with Queen Jennah forced him to come to her aid during as assault at Ebonhawke, resulting in the Elder Dragon's escape and Snaff's death.

The group disbanded and Logan ended up working with the Seraph, a police force of the human city, Divinity's Reach. During the time of 'Guild Wars 2' he serves as a close ally to the human PC.

Now onto the charr warrior of Destiny's Edge: Rytlock Brimstone.

Rytlock Brimstone is known as the Tribune of the Blood Legion, one of the faction groups that compose the charr (the other include Ash Legion, Iron Legion, and the traitorous Flame Legion). As Tribune, Rytlock is one of the leaders in the Blood Legion.

Rytlock, like more charr, have been distrustful of humanity for centuries. This was during a time where the charr were constantly fighting humans, leading to the capture of Ascalon in the process. Eventually, the two sides managed to break into a piece, with the humans returning a legendary charr weapon back to the charr. Rytlock, meanwhile, became part of Destiny's Edge, having a good friendship with Logan Thackeray.

However, with Snaff's death and Destiny's Edge's dissolution, Rytlock started to resent humans slightly. He eventually returned to the Blood Legion and serve as the Tribune since then.

Our next member to look at is the norn ranger, Eir Stegalkin.

Eir is one of champions of the Norn, not as boastful as other members though. What she makes up in her lack of pride in self is her connect to the spirits of the world. Its not so much a connection to the spirits as it is an understanding to their nature.

Still, it was enough to form a group with the Asuran pair, Zojja and Snaff. When Destiny's Edge was formed, she was made to be their leader, using her expertise as a hunter to find the lieutenants of the Elder Dragons. After the failure of killing one of the Elder Dragons, she left for home once more. Since then, she has had a quiet life, which has brought about some negative views against her. This is due to the Norn's belief in honoring people for their amazing tasks and, since Eir hasn't performed so much after a while, would often frown upon those who they feel waste their lives.

Course, Eir has kept herself busy in other ways. She has put a focus to stone sculptures, often making them in the images of the Spirits. She has had some difficulty getting her pet wolf Garm to pose for one, but she doesn't seem to mind.

Next on the list is the asura elementalist, Zojja.

One of the most intelligent members of Destiny's Edge, Zojja is considered one of the premiere geniuses in Rata Sum. This is pretty impressive, considering how most asura consider themselves geniuses and, upon seeing their work, its not hard to see why. At the time, Zojja was a apprentice to Snaff, leading to an interesting dilema when they both consider the other more intelligent than themselves. Confusing? Pretty much, yeah.

The asura pair end up meeting with Eir, from which they form the Dragonspawn's Destiny group. After meeting up with the Edge of Steel and creating Destiny's Edge, a plan was soon hatched to take down an Elder Dragon. Snaff's and Zojja's knowledge helped pin the Elder Dragon down, but due to Logan's departure, Snaff ended up being killed and the Elder Dragon (of course) fled.

Zojja was particularly upset at the death of her colleague, teacher, and friend. She returned to Rata Sum in grief, though eventually got out of it to return to inventing new mystical items and machinery.

The final member of Destiny's Edge is the sylvari thief known as Caithe.

Caithe is by far the most mysterious amongst Destiny's Edge. Known as one of the Firstborn of the Sylvari (meaning she is at most 25 years old), Caithe was usually the one who stayed to the shadows more often than not. While she means well, its hard to say if her intentions are entirely good or not.

During her time in Destiny's Edge, she was followed by a former lover named Faolain. While Faolain attempted to poison Caithe to join the Nightmare Court, Caithe refused to yield to her lover's wishes. Eventually the poison became too great and Caithe almost perished, but Faolain took the poison herself to spare Caithe.

After the failure to kill one of the Elder Dragons, Caithe returned to the shadows once more. Hard to say what to expect next out of such a mysterious being.

...Alright, that covers about every member of Destiny's Edge. Hope this has been a bit helpful for you and enjoy your time in Guild Wars 2!

Until next time...

Guild Wars 2 is owned by ArenaNet.

Review: X-Men Destiny

Welcome to another review on 'Stories of Entertainment'.

There are a lot of things out there, in movies, tv shows and video games that can be considered as 'wasted potential'. You have a great concept sitting on your lap, but its execution just leaves it in such a mess that you question where it all went wrong.

The example for this reviews is 'X-Men Destiny'!

(Pretty cool, huh? Well, about to be pretty disappointed)

Developed by Silicon Knights and published by Activision, X-Men Destiny was a game where you play as a mutant who has recently discovered their powers and must choose between joining the X-Men or the Brotherhood. Not a bad premise, eh? Well, it dumbs down to rather standard characters and powers, some poor voice acting, repetitive gameplay, and a campaign mode that can be finished IN LESS THAN A DAY! So yeah, there are a lot of problems with the game, but is story one of them? Lets find out.

The story begins in San Francisco, where a peace rally is being held between the X-Men and the MRD (Mutant Response Division) in honor of Professor X, who died while fighting a mutant-hunting robot named Bastion (who himself died at the hands of Magneto). After the Professor's death, the X-Men had split up and most have moved to San Francisco to begin a new life for themselves. The leader of the MRD, Luis Reyes, offers to help the X-Men bring peace between mutants and humankind. Of course, the offer was accepted and so this peace rally was formed. However, a bit of opposition from the Purifiers (an anti-mutant radical group) to drive the mutants out of San Francisco.

Here is where the play gets to decide which character to play as for the rest of the game:

• Aimi Yoshida: A Japanese girl who was smuggled out from Japan by her father to avoid being sent to mutant concentration camps.
• Grant Alexander: An all-star athelete who is more interested in his future football career than the mutant and human politics
• Adrian Luca: The son of a Purifier who died in combat, now haunted by his father's spirit to fight the mutants in his honor.

Eventually, the rally is interrupted by a supposed mutant attack led by the Brotherhood. From here, your character is given a choice on which powers to use: a warrior-like powerset where you control your density in rock form, a mage-like powerset where you project energy in different forms, and a rogue-like powerset  where you manifest shadow blades. I say it like this because the powers (and the characters themselves) are built around basic RPG classes (the warrior, mage, and rogue). Not that bad of an idea, but not close to being such a good one either.

Anyway, the player meets up with characters like Quicksilver, Iceman, Toad, and Emma Frost telling them that their a mutant, need to pick a side, what kind of danger to expect, etc. A major point occurs when a lead purifier named Cameron Hodge appears (in an advanced robot suit) and starts taking mutants in alive. Thankfully, you're on the scene to save a few, while also meeting up with a teleporter named Pixie and a tracker named Caliban. Eventually, your character meets up with Cyclops and Quicksilver, where the player is given a first choice between choosing which group to work with first: X-Men or the Brotherhood. Regardless, a brawl with the Purifiers with either group results in you confronting Hodge. Near the end of the fight, Magento appears and lifts up an entire section of the Golden Gate bridge and drops it on the combatants. Fortunately, Nightcrawler arrives and manages to save you.

You get dropped off into Chinatown and soon meet up with a group of thieves called the Externals, led by Gambit. After helping them deliver a package, you meet up with Gambit and help his group invade a warehouse run by the Purifiers. There, it is learned that vials containing mutant genes are being dropped off here. Going through a panel into the underground, you find a secret laboratory, which houses not only captured mutants and Purifiers, but a deranged group of scientists called the U-Men, who are known for harvesting mutant DNA. You manage to free several mutants, including Quicksilver, Colossus and Surge, heading deeper into the facility to destroy it for good. Unfortunately, one U-Men, named John Sublime, takes some unrefined mutant DNA and turns himself into a horrid creation that uses the powers of Quicksilver, Colossus and Surge. (How... convenient?) However, John Sublime gets his mutated ass kicked and you recover several vials of mutant DNA. There is a choice whether or not to give the vials to Gambit (earning you some Brotherhood points) or giving them to Colossus (getting X-Men brownie points).

Regardless, you meet up with Cyclops who suggests that there is more than one secret facility and suggests you continue searching the tunnels. You get some help from Wolverine as well, which leads you both to the facility. However, Reyes and the MRD show up and Wolverine starts losing his mind for some reason. Eventually, you are left in the facility all by yourself and must fight through several Purifiers to investigate. Cameron Hodge makes a return, with round 2 of your previous fight starting once more. Midway through, Cameron offers his surrender, which prompts you either to continue fighting him (for Brotherhood) or accept his surrender (for X-Men). Regardless, you fight with Cameron Hodge once more and finally putting the bastard down once and for all.

You later meet up with either Cyclops or Mystique (depending on your choice, of course) and explain the situation to them. From here, you investigate another hidden facility, learning that the satellite hovering above San Francisco houses the intelligence of Bastion, who had apparently survived his fight with Professor X and Magneto. It is also revealed the Luis Reyes is working for Bastion, being granted mental powers similar to Professor X. You soon meet up with Caliban, where it is revealed that Pixie has been kidnapped and her power is being harvested by the MRD. You end up fighting through several Purifiers, including ones who are mutated similar to John Sublime, and use Caliban to track Pixie. Apparently, they are using helicopters to keep her moving and you do her best to find which one she is in. However, you get distracted when you cross paths with Wolverine once more. With Wolverine still going berzerk, you manage to hold him off to allow Emma Frost to free his mind.

After explaining the situation to Cyclops and Emma Frost, you all see the helicopter holding Pixie shot down by a laser similar to Cyclops' optic blasts. You do your best to find the crashed helicopter, fighting through super powered MRD troops along the way. When you come across the crash site, the helicopter explodes as you try to save Pixie. She ends up dying as a result, with Magneto and the Juggernaut arriving on the scene. They blame Cyclops for the incident, yet he stands by saying that he would never do that to his fellow X-Man. A fight breaks out, with you and Cyclops trying to defend themselves against Magento and Juggernaut. Eventually, Juggernaut gets taken out and Magento stops the fight and allows one last choice for the player. All the other choices from the game seem to amount to ziltch, since here you choose either to join the Brotherhood or the X-Men. After making your choice, to leave with either Cyclops or Magneto to figure out what to do next.

The final bit is pretty easy to expect: you and your group tackle the MRD head on, pushing to the tower from which Luis Reyes believes will allow him to control the who world (in reality, it will allow Bastion to take control of his body). Eventually, you come across Reyes, who is now decked out in a supersuit containing several mutant powers and would be used as Bastion's new body. You try to explain to him, it doesn't work, big fight ensues (with a special appearance by classic Sentinels as well) and Reyes and Bastion end up defeated.  In the end your group is triumphant, many hurrahs and an interesting credit sequence where you try to take out as many enemies as possible.

After writing this review, I still feel a lot of dread for this game, if only because its too quick to play through, too repetitive and not having the full potential it could've had. Here's to marvel, hoping they actually do something in the future that will make me forget about this game.

Until next time...

X-Men Destiny was developed by Silicon Knights and published by Activision.

Thanks to MARVEL for the Youtube video.

Review: Justice League Heroes

Welcome to another review on 'Stories of Entertainment'.

I'm still on a bit of a superhero rant here and since I came off the 'Marvel Ultimate Alliance' series, it gave me an opportunity to review another game that had similar capabilities, though ultimately underperformed. That game was 'Justice League Heroes'.

Developed by Snowblind Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games, 'Justice League Heroes' has a similar set up that ultimately had little to no pop. It tried to copy off of the popular multiplayer function that 'X-Men Legends' and 'Marvel Ultimate Alliance' had at the time and didn't really do much of it. However, the storyline does have some interesting traits to it, since it is written by the late Dwayne McDuffie, a veteran comic book writer and one of the lead writers in the 'Justice League of America' animated show.

Does this game have a story that can make up for its crappy gamplay? Time to find out. Lets fly right into 'Justice League Heroes'.

(...and we have our Justice League for the game)

The story begins after a meteorite crashes into earth and leaves a mysterious stone, which is soon confiscated by S.T.A.R. labs. Some time after, Superman and Batman are called into Metropolis to stop a rampage of robots. Apparently, the set-up was done by Braniac, an advanced Kryptonian AI who seeks only power and knowledge. It has planned in advanced to set up separate bodies to distract the heroes. After Superman and Batman defeat one of Braniac's bodies, they realize they both have been duped. Through video footage, they learn that Braniac has stolen the mysterious rock, as well as some Kryptonian DNA, with Batman refering to is as 'Superman's old sparring partner'.

Back at the Watchtower, the Martian Manhunter and Zatanna head to Metropolis to put an end to the robot threat. However, they also realize that it is a ruse. They learn of a villain called Queen Bee converting humans into mindless drones for her hive. Naturally, the heroes beat the villainess, but the rest of the Justice League discover that the entire communications grid is offline. The Green Lantern and Flash head off to a communications relay near Russia, discovering that whatever is blocking the communications grid is there.

Both of the heroes have an encounter with the villain called the Key, who used his technology to open portals to other dimensions, like one filled with dangerous mushroom men. Meanwhile, Batman has done some separate investigation of his own, learning that a nuclear missile has been launched at a site and find the villainess Killer Frost. He ends up retreating when he encounters several of Killer Frost's ice minions. Back at the communications relay, Green Lantern and Flash manage to stop the Key and get the communications grid back online. In another part of the world, a Braniac robot frees Gorilla Grodd and lets him take control of Gorilla City as a means of a distraction.

Back at the Watchtower, the heroes realize that the nuclear missile has been launched, but is heading for orbit instead. As they try to learn what its trying to do, Wonder Woman and Zatanna join up with Batman to put down Killer Frost. The heroines manage to stop other missiles from being launch, as well as capturing Killer Frost in the act. Meanwhile, the rest of the Justice League learn that the missile that was fired was retro-fitted to enable space flight, letting it fly to its destination: Mars, or more specifically, where the White Martians are being held.

Superman and the Martian Manhunter deal with in the incoming White Martian assault, while Flash, Green Lantern, Batman and Zatanna deal with the situation in Gorilla City. Superman and the Martian Manhunter are able to stop most of the White Martians and put them back into a hibernated state, but are knocked out themselves in the process. A Braniac drone appears and 'thanks' them for their assistance, stealing pieces of White Martian tech for his own uses. Back in Gorilla City, the heroes manage to stop Gorilla Grodd's plans and free the rest of the gorillas from his mind control.

With the White Martian fleet reaching close to Earth orbit, Wonder Woman does her best to stop it by herself. Thankfully, Superman arrives on the scene to lend her a hand, while the Martian Manhunter has returned to to the Watchtower to deal with a possible intruder. While the White Martian fleet has been stopped, the Martian Manhunter gets knocked out by Doomsday, a powerful monster who had killed Superman in the past. While only a clone of the real monster, this Doomsday manages to commendeer the whole Watchtower for some purpose.

The remaining Justice Leaguers regroup in a backup base on the moon, set up by Batman (guy thinks WAY ahead of everybody). The group splits up into 3 teams: one to take care of the Watchtower defenses, another to rescue the Martian Manhunter and the last to fight Doomsday. The Justice League is successful, but not before Braniac steals a device known as the Mother Box, a computer with a very advanced AI and incredible power. Surprisingly, the Mother Box manages to send out a traceable energy signature leading directly to Braniac's main HQ.

The leaguers transport to the HQ, splitting up in hopes of stopping Braniac's plans. Eventually, they reach Braniac who, of course, gets into a fight with the heroes and loses. While Braniac tries to get a second wind, his body breaks down...somehow and its essence is used to reform Darkseid, a powerful god-like being who was trapped in that rock prison some time before the story. He uses his Omega Beams to thoroughly annihilate most of the leaguers except Superman, whom he decides to keep prisoner and let him watch as Darkseid turns the planet Earth into a hellish landscape.

However, the rest of the heroes arrive in an alternate dimension, alive and well. Though split up, the heroes manage to regroup back at the watchtower through a teleporter in that same dimension. Through careful deduction, they realize that the Mother Box helped send them to that other dimension, not only to escape with their lives, but also for the Green Lantern to absorb some special energy to protect the heroes from the Omega Beams. A bit of searching lets them track down where Superman is being kept, planning to free him first before confronting Darkseid himself.

With Superman back with the Justice League, the heroes attacked Darkseid in his throne room. As Darkseid gloats that nothing could stop him, the heroes use Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth to force him to give the heroes a way to stop him. Using the same power that imprisoned Darkseid, the heroes are able to return the Earth to normal and put Darkseid back into his prison. Finally, the world was at peace once more, thanks to the Justice League.

So how was Justice League Heroes? Kinda so and so. Story does a good job of getting a basic plot across and the climax is pretty exciting once it starts. However, characters seem a bit bland at times and could use a bit more pep. Gameplay-wise, I don't get why it allowed only 2 heroes to play at a time, while X-Men Legends and Marvel Ultimate Alliance allowed 4 player cooperative play. Overall, Justice League Heroes was okay. Nothing to spectacular or crappy, just enough to get in a good run through or two.

Until next time...

Actually, for a special treat, here are some videos showing the different cutscenes in the game, cut and put together to create a full movie of sorts.

Justice League Heroes was developed by Snowblind Studios

Thanks to schetter and Batmitey for the Youtube videos

Review: Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

Welcome back to another edition of 'Stories of Entertainment'.

Continuing off from the last review, "Marvel Ultimate Alliance", its time to take a look at its sequel, simply known as 'Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2'. With the last game ending on a note dealing with an attack from Galactus, what can be expected from the sequel? Nothing of that sort. Really, the Galactus confrontation is just glossed over and not really taken advantage of. One possible story is pushed aside for another.

On a similar note, Vicarious Visions is taking over as the developer of the game, replacing Raven Software from the last game. There is also an update in terms of graphics and controls, which includes a system of combining character powers to form a super move called 'Fusion'. It can be a bit repeditive at times, but it does show a different kind of way to finish of enemies.

Anyway, time to get to the nitty gritty of the game itself. Time to jump right into "Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2"!

(Yep, time for a Secret Invasion-er, War. I mean Secret War)

 So the heroes launch an assault on Latveria, about a year or so after Dr Doom was defeated in the first game. Its ruled by a Lucia Von Bardas who, not surprisingly, has other ideas in store rather than peace between Latveria and America. She even manages to get several villains to work with her as well, which includes Electro, Scorcher, Wizard, and the Tinkerer. Fury manages to coerce the president of the U.S. into launching an attack in Latveria due to Bardas' soldiers committing acts of terrorism.

The heroes manage to push deeper into Bardas' HQ, beating up several villains and soldiers along the way. They reach the main core of the building, soon encountering a powerful robot sent by the Tinkerer. A great battle erupts, with the Tinkerer having used the robot as a distraction to allow him a safe escape. Soon, the entire building falls apart due to a power overload in the core and the heroes escape with their lives intact.

 After a year or so, the heroes get word of some terrorists setting up shop underneath New York City. Ms. Marvel was sent to scout ahead, but hasn't called in. When the heroes arrive, they find Latverian soldiers and robots have set up a base. Villains like the Shocker, Grim Reaper, and Diamondback (with returning villains like Scorcher and Wizard) are also present, now working for a cyber-sized Lucia Von Bardas. As the heroes try to stop them, the villains already launch an assault, using a floating barge to bombard city blocks. In order to stop them, the heroes destroy the cannons on the barge, stop the villains and defeat Lucia Von Bardas once and for all. However, there are darker details here than once realized.

(Kinda expected from an organization with espionage tactics)

So now the government wants to pass the Superhuman Registration Act or the like to get heroes to join up with S.H.I.E.L.D. or be considered outlaws. While some of the heroes venture to Washing D.C. to stake a claim and be heard, another terrorist attack occurs. This time, it is being headed by the villain Titanium Man, who has kidnapped several senators during the assault. As the heroes arrive to kick ass and such, Deadpool appears (saying he was visiting the Cherry Blossom Festival) and just fights the heroes for the heck of it. Deadpool loses, joins team, replacement goldfi-er, Maria Hill appears (new S.H.I.E.L.D. director), gives orders, heroes pursue Titanium Man.

The heroes eventually corner Titanium Man in an underground parking lot, though he escapes during the fight. The senators are saved (which includes a cameo by Stan Lee) and the heroes find Titanium Man at the Lincoln Memorial. A fight breaks out once more, though Titanium Man gets taken down for the long count. Eventually, the Superhuman Registration Act is put on hold, for now...

(Great, now things have hit the proverbial fan)

The Superhuman Registration Act is underway, with some heroes already picking sides between Pro and Anti. Now its time for the player's choice. This is where things get a bit odd, since the Second Act of the game plays similarly when comparing the two sides. The missions take place in the same area, yet involve different characters depending on whose side you're on. For the sake of this review, I'll be talking about it from the Anti-Registration Side, though i will be including bits of the matching bosses in the opposing side. Confused yet? Well, it should get easier as the review goes on.

After deciding which side to go with, the next part of the story begins. A raid by the Pro-Reg side is launched against the Anti-Reg, where the Pro-Reg heroes attack the Anti-Reg heroes temporary HQ, an old Hydra base (global villain organization). While the Pro-Reg have S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, the Anti-Reg manages to get a group of defectors from S.H.I.E.L.D. calling themselves the White Star to help them (named in honor of Captain America).

Anyway, the Anti-Reg side wants you to save your fellow heroes during the raid, sparking an encounter with the spy hero Black Widow (a Pro-Reg side would involve a fight with Spider-Woman). Going deeper into the base shows more fighting between the sides and another appearance from a super hero. This time, its Iron Man's second hand of sorts, War Machine. (Pro-Reg would have to fight the Greek hero Hercules instead). Finally, reaching the heart of the base shows whose been leading the raid: a time traveling mutant. Ironically enough, both sides have their own. For the Anti-Reg, its a fight with Bishop. For the Pro-Reg, its Cable instead. Its interesting to see how these future mutants view the Registration Act differently. Still, your heroes manage to win the battle, only pissing off Iron Man in the process (or Captain America if Pro-Reg).

The next mission involves a convoy of captured unregistered superheroes to a prison known as Prison 42 (real creative name here). With the battle between Pro and Anti going as it is, the Pro side takes a big step in unleashing supervillains on their side. This involves nanites in the villain's body, which allows them to get controlled through a S.H.I.E.L.D. network.

The convoy mission involves the Anti-Reg heroes freeing prisoners to the Pro-Reg heroes trying to defend it. As the heroes follow the path of the convoy, they come across the supervillain-turned-hero Songbird (Prodigy for Pro-Reg) and do battle with her. Soon, the convoys get stopped and prisoners start getting freed. To quell the rampage, the Pro-Reg unleashes one of their supervillains, Lady Deathstrike (for Pro-Reg, its a freed prisoners called Multiple Man). Halfway through the fight, the Thing makes an appearance. Unlike the other superheroes who picked one side of the other, Thing opted out and went into hiding. Not wanting to take this anymore, he decides to help the heroes with their specific sides. Eventually, the heroes come across either Iron Man or Captain America (depending on their side, of course), trying to get their attention. However, it was a lure to get the heroes to meet a much bigger challenge in the form of Yellowjacket for Anti-Reg and Goliath for Pro-Reg. The fight becomes too much for the heroes and they manage to get some assistance. Firestar for the Anti-Reg (and the villain Molten Man for Pro-Reg) arrives to take down their giant opponent and score another victory.

Onto the final mission of the Second Act, involving an accident at a chemical plant. However, for anyone who knows about Marvel's Civil War, you got an idea of what to expect here...

(In a bit of fairness, the Pro-Reg side did strike first here. They had it coming.)

This is where it gets a bit crazy, if only to try and figure out which bosses goes where. It tends to switch up between single boss to dual bosses, so let me just list the ones that actually make an appearance rather than just trying to compare them to opposing sides.

To start, if you chosen the Anti-Reg side, you'll have to face:

Bullseye (supervillain marksman)

Wonder Man (Energy-based superhuman)

She-Hulk (Green powerhouse)

Molten man (Fire-powered supervillain)

Mr Fantastic (Elastic Superhero)

War Machine (Round 2 from the base invasion)

and Iron Man (Boss of Pro-Reg)

If you chosen the Pro-Reg side, you'll have to fight:

Multiple Man (Round 2, or 3 if you count the second fight involving The Thing)

Patriot (Captain America-inspired sidekick)

Firestar (Fire powerhouse)

Dagger (One half of Cloak and Dagger, light manipulation)

Colossus (Steel skinned giant)

Iron Fist (Martial Arts master)

Luke Cage (Streetwise Superhero)

and Captain America (Boss of Anti-Reg)

Anyway, the fight with the boss of either side ends with them getting away and your heroes needed elsewhere. Unfortunately, the situation turns from bad to worse like so...

(Okay, what else would you expect from nanites controlling supervillains? For them to actually work?)

Nick Fury appears (kinda sorta) and gets the heroes to stop the detonate of several fuel depots. Unfortunately, during the fight with Green Goblin and Venom, Nick Fury is unable to stop the last bomb and an explosion occurs. However, the heroes wake up in a secret facility with Nick Fury present, explaining how they tried to stop all the explosions...

(Hurray for duplicate robots!)

So yeah, time to step out of the Civil War and start doing actual super hero stuff. Nick Fury wants them to figure out who is controlling the nanite supervillains if S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't, which requires a trip to Prison 42. Since it is located in another dimension, the plan is to piggy-back on a strike planned by Captain America to the prison through another called Ryker's Island. Once arriving, the heroes do battle against S.H.I.E.L.D. (even if former Pro-Reg, they treat it like you switch sides) and manages to get access to Prison 42 mainframe from Maria Hill herself. (Oh, so much joy taking her down a peg)

Anyway, the heroes make it to the portal room to Prison 42, needing to beat down the guard named Penance first (former Speedball who went all emo). After defeating him, as well as some nanite prisoners who beat on him as well, the heroes learn what has happened to the nanites. Fact is, the nanites have evolved into a hive mind mentality, subverting wills to their own purpose, yet still retaining their own mind and personality. The only reason the world isn't taken over by them yet is that the Pro-Reg side hasn't sent them all out in full force. Now it comes to the task of stopping the nanites. Nick Fury comes along to Prison 42 (since he can't use his robots to go into the other side for him), as well as Penance wanting to help as well. Once on the other side, they manage to find some samples of the nanites and believe they have a shot at stopping the nanite collective.

However, the fight between Iron Man's Pro-Reg and Captain America's Anti-Reg take a turn for the worst inside Prison 42...

(Well, sh*t. If things can go wrong, they will)

So now it comes down to all of the heroes working together to stop the nanite supervillains in Prison 42. This would involve reactivating the portal back to the home dimension, so our heroes head out to reactivate the backup generators. Along the way, the heroes save others who've been captured and are force into joining the nanite collective. Eventually, the heroes manage to get the generators online, with Nick Fury volunteering to stay behind and activate a self-destruct to shut the portal off from Prison 42's side. As the heroes continue to fight, they manage to get through the portal to their home dimension, but end up leaving several heroes, including Nick Fury, behind in the process...

(Suck it, Maria Hill!)

Naturally, since the game isn't over yet, the nanites manage to get out of Prison 42 and start infecting the world. The heroes split up into two fronts: at Stark Tower and in the nation of Wakanda. Nanite controlled soldiers are already attacking the African nation, being accompanied by nanite superheroes like Havok and Justice. Eventually, the heroes manage to push through to secure a barrier around a city, though radio communications have ceased with the force at Stark Tower. As the heroes reconvene with Black Panther, the ruler of Wakanda, they get a message from none other than Nick Fury. Not surprisingly, he's joined the nanite collectivity, now calling itself the Fold, and offers the heroes a chance to spare the heroes at Stark Tower by joining the Fold willingly. The heroes refuse, with the Fold launching Venom, Green Goblin, and Fold-controlled Wakandans against the heroes. Successfully, the heroes push the fold back and manage to capture Venom and Green Goblin in the process.

After the fight, the remaining heroes try to plan out their next attack. They realize that several towers have been set up in countries where the Fold conquered, as a means to spread their control. The heroes decide to use it to their advantage by launching a virus that safely shuts down all members of the Fold. In doing so, the heroes would have the time to free them from the Fold, once they successfully test some new tech on Venom and Green Goblin. With their freedom, the villains agree to help the heroes stop the Fold, if only to get revenge. Comparing notes, the heroes realize a tower located in Iceland would provide the best way to spread out the virus before the Fold could counteract it and set off to the country.

The heroes need to fight through several Fold-controlled people, including several superheroes who have recently been taken over. Whats worse is that the Tinkerer, who not only joined the Fold willingly, but is also helping in upgrading the systems to allow each unit to house every power within the collective. Fortunately, the early development stages are still no match for the heroes and they manage to fight their way to the top of the tower. As they deliver the computer virus to the console, all of the Fold quickly shut down, ending their threat to the world.

However, a surprise boss in the form of a nanite powered Nick Fury appears, channeling several Fold superhero powers as a means to stop the heroes. Despite all that power, even Nick Fury is defeated and the Fold is gone for good. In the end, both Pro-Reg and Anti-Reg sides call a truce and the Registration Act either is turned into an amendment with some changes or completely repealed. (Depending on which side the player chose in the beginning)

So yeah, that was Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2. Compared to its predecessar, its story and gameplay are very much improved, though is ending is rather lacking. Still, the challenges and characters do make this game a good repeat whenever board. Its interesting to see how each side is done. Best of all, it does a better job of telling the 'Civil War' story than in the original Marvel comics.

Until next time...

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 was developed by Vicarious Visions.


Thanks to MahaloVideoGames, imthebest6, and Penmaster3000 for the Youtube videos.