MORTAL KOMBAT

Before I post this blog I'd like to make an apology, this blog has been in the making for months, I've had it mostly complete for this entire time but have neglected posting due to a mixture of writers block and the constantly evolving nature of the game. As such I've gone through and re wrote parts of this blog repeatedly, losing quality in the post. So I'd like to apologize for that beforehand as well. Up next I'll have a League of Legends blog that's also been in the works for some time.

MORTAL KOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!

It's been a long time since I've posted, but I feel the need to post about this game. I'm sure many of you have read reviews of this glorious game. I pre-ordered it and have purchased all DLC that has been released to this point.

Mortal Kombat is the ninth full-fledged installation in the fighting game series, The story is equally as outrageous and convoluted as it's predecessors, but for those who are interested it is presented better than any other fighting game. The story mode plays through like a movie with fighting sequences seamlessly embedded into the cinematics. The story mode plays through in chapters where you control each character with the video sequences between each fight. Each chapter lasts between four and eight fights, ramping up in difficulty as the story goes on.

The classic courtyard stage returns with style

The story starts with the conclusion of the previous game: Armageddon. Shao Kahn having defeated Blaze on top of the pyramid has absorbed enough power to rival the elder gods. Raiden attempts to defeat Shao Kahn, but is defeated. Before Shao Kahn can deliver a killing blow, Raiden sends his memories and a message back to his past self: "Let him win." At that point the story shifts to the first Mortal Kombat tournament, where Raiden attempts to change the path of the future, and thus avoiding Shao Kahn's ascension.

The story moves through the first three Mortal Kombat tournaments, Raiden making different decisions that change the fates of multiple characters, as well as that of Earthrealm. For instance, smoke never becomes a cyborg, yet Sub-Zero does. While being convoluted and cheesy, the story mode is pulled off with a flair that is rarely seen, and is unheard of in fighting games. Now that we've got the story mode out of the way, on to the fighting.

Pictured: Fighting

The fighting in this game is among the best you will find in any current generation fighting game. I would put it on par with Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition and Marvel Vs Capcom 3. Mortal Kombat has returned to it's roots. Instead of messing around with 3d environments, wonky mechanics like stance switching and environmental deaths, and new and uninteresting characters Mortal Kombat has returned to the basics. Only one character outside of the first four shows up, Kenshi from Deadly Alliance.

DLC For this game has also come out at a steady pace, 4 new characters will have been released as of August 7th, with news of more on the way. It took Super Street Fighter IV a year to release bonus characters, and Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is going to get a second retail launch to add in their own expanded character list that will be incomparable with MvC3.

The only speedbump Mortal Kombat has hit was online play during the launch, it was straight up atrocious. The worst netcode of the generation, it was called. Upwards of a second of input lag was a commonplace, since launch this has steadily been repaired making the game far more playable. 

This game has tons of content. Up to four person multiplayer, tag team, co op arcade, basic arcade, challenge tower, story mode, crypt, online play for tag team and basic versus, it's own form of lobbies and a king of the hill arcade style match. Mortal Kombat has everything, and it does it all better than most of it's competition. Mortal Kombat has raised the bar on fighting games, I look forward to seeing how Capcom will answer.

If you're looking for a fighting game and already have Street Fighter, look no further than Mortal Kombat.

Street Fighter X Tekken

When this game was announced a short video of Nina and Kazuya facing off against Ryu and Chun-Li was shown. The video teased a Street Fighter fighting system incorporating Tekken characters. Until today I was quite worried about this. Now after seeing both the cinematic and gameplay trailers I am happy to say this game looks fun, more fun than Marvel Vs Capcom 3.

The gameplay trailer itself doesn't show much other than announcing the character list, but you can find it here. Now moving on there was a second video released at the same time that showed a full eight minutes of gameplay with the interface and everything. Below you can see the video in full.

This gameplay trailer shows off the games system which resembles the system used both in Third strike and Alpha, while keeping the smooth fast-paced combat that was given in Super Street Fighter IV. You can see that Capcom has given quite a bit of thought on how to balance the Tekken characters in with the Street Fighter characters.

King and Marduk are by far the most interesting characters shown off in the trailer, the characters both rely on throw combos much like they do in Tekken, I am curious to see how this will pan out on release. As is it looks like once a throw combo starts it will be impossible to break it, much like a normal combo. I am hoping that doing such will require precise timing, but this is Capcom we are talking about so that's a given.

The game looks to be a 2v2 tag team fighter much like Marvel Vs Capcom, but it appears to use a six-button set like Street Fighter. Instead of a second player hopping in once one player is defeated however, a round ends with a K.O. This means that good players will have to swap characters in and out to survive matches or else they'll find themselves quickly K.O.'d. This is an interesting approach, and I more than welcome it.

This game appears to be shaping up quite nicely, and it's 2012 release couldn't get here sooner, but until then I've got SSFIV Arcade, Marvel Vs Capcom 3, and Mortal Kombat (2011) to keep me satisfied.

Applying to the Sons of Korriban

We feel that the current forum-bound application process is a bit too limiting, and as such we are going to expand upon it. First of all I will make it clear who we are looking for to join the Sons of Korriban.

The Sons of Korriban is a roleplaying-PvP guild, and as such we are looking for players who both enjoy the storytelling aspects of roleplay, and the heavily competitive aspects of player-versus-player combat, and are always looking to improve themselves in both fields. We are not looking for people who don't want to put forward some effort to get the job done. We understand that not everyone can be the best writer or player, all that we ask is that you be your best and always look for ways to improve.

We are looking for mature players. We do not believe maturity is measured in years, but by your actions. A mature 16 year old is more valuable than an immature 20-something year old. We like to have fun as much as anyone else, but when the time comes to be serious we need everyone able to be.

We have a strict no-drama policy. As such we are not looking for people who cause it inadvertently or purposefully. Attention-seeking behavior, rampant disrespect, and not respecting the boundaries of others are all unacceptable. If somebody asks you to stop, stop, even if they are not an officer. Inter-guild drama is also unacceptable, this is especially true for our official opposition on the Republic. This is a game and we are all here to have fun. People who repeatedly cause trouble will be removed.

When it comes to roleplay we do not require that you post in forum threads, or write stories out in full. We will offer the opportunity to do this for those who want to, but we understand it is not everyone's thing. If you wish for your roleplay only to be dealt with in game, that is fine. People who exclusively forum RP or do in-game RP will naturally miss out on some guild and inter-guild events that people who do both will be able to take part in.

Story-wise the Sons of Korriban is both a Sith and Military organization that employs mercenaries in the hope of bringing these fighters into the sith ranks. SoK's goals are to increase the reach and influence of the Sith Empire and eradicate all enemies that stand in their way. Your character must be in tune with these goals, and be a useful asset to the group. Each class will have their own way of entering and moving through the ranks.

• Sith Inquisitors and Warriors both will enter as either apprentices or full fledged Sith willing to do the bidding of their masters in SoK.
• Imperial Agents are considered to be part of the Imperial Military upon joining, and are among the most useful assets in SoK's arsenal.
• Bounty Hunters will be considered mercenaries upon joining, singing a contract with the organization. They will have the opportunity to become loyal sith subjects and even become part of the Sith Military if they wish

The application process starts when you apply to the guild using the headstart's own application process, answer those questions as thoroughly as possible. If you have interacted with us in previous games let us know! After you have applied using the head-start system, fill out an application using the template at the top of the Application thread located here.

The Sons of Korriban

Brought together from the reaches of the Empire, the Sons of Korriban formed to answer the call of the Empire and usher in a new era of Imperial dominance. Formed by the ambitious Sith Keraph and Securo the sons of Korriban are an elite taskforce of soldiers, diplomats, and Sith masters. 

The Sons of Korriban is a Roleplaying-PvP guild in the game Star Wars: The Old Republic that will most likely play on either a western or eastern-time server to maximize the potential member base.

This guild is open for recruitment and is seeking members as well as both ally and enemy guilds to interact with.

We have a solid story and member base in place, as well as a decent officer base, but we have not set everything in stone just yet. The guild is still open for basic recruitment to increase our ranks, and as such all members who join that are not given officer position will start on equal standing. Those who contribute the most in these pre-formation months will be promoted, possibly even to an officer position.

Apply on the website here.

An apology for my absence.

First I would like to apologize for my month-long absence from posting here, after being semi regular for two weeks I stopped posting for a good month. I intend to rectify this with a few posts before the end of the night, keep in touch. I'll be posting regularly again soon, don't you worry about your content.

What I have in store for you this month:

-Super Street Fighter IV talk, coverage, and gameplay! Also my thoughts on the imminent release of Arcade
-Mortal Kombat review and hopefully gameplay.
-Guild coverage for SWTOR, endless whoring of the link to my website in hopes that I gain new members.
-And the general ramblings of the madman
-Ponies