Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (Microsoft Xbox)
Published by MIDWAY HOME ENT. Rated M for Mature.

Way back in 1992, one video game broke all the rules of decency to become one of the most popular games of all time. Mortal Kombat mixed innovative 'digitized' graphics with such gruesomeness as freezing your opponent and removing his spine. Countless sequels later, publisher Midway Entertainment has started a plan to release a new MK every year. Thus we are presented with Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks.

In MK:SM, you play as two of Mortal Kombat's more well-known characters; Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Together with an assortment of other popular figures in MK mythology, you retrace the story of the sorcerer Shang Tsung's attempt to take over the Earth Realm. For those unaware of this plot, basically it involves you beating the crap out of a whole lot of people.

As opposed to its fighting game roots, MK:SM is instead a beat'em up action title. Although this isn't necessarily new ground for the MK anthology, this is definitely the first time it has succeeded in this format.

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks has an unmistakably old-school, 'just for fun' feel. Whereas other titles in the genre go for hyper-realism or T&A , MK:SM prefers to take the light-hearted, hilariously gory path. If you're looking for a deep single player story, then you should probably look elsewhere, but as far as mindless entertainment goes, this game ranks among the best in a long while.

The story mode is shallow and simplistic to the extreme, coupled with cheesy voice acting that takes itself just seriously enough to be comical. But single player is not its strong point. The real entertainment comes from the Ko-op mode. You and a friend (local, as Xbox Live is not an option) duke it out cooperatively, combining forces for devastating combos. There's also a versus mode, but this just seems very tacked on and undeveloped.

In the technical department, MK:SM is merely average. The graphics are certainly presentable (especially in the gore department), but are nothing spectacular. The sound effects are bold and clear, but as I said above, the voice acting leaves much to be desired.

Considering these points, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks would have received an average score if it wasn't just so freakin' fun. In a game such as this, cutting-edge graphics and twisting plot lines are about as necessary as a bandage for a decapitation (something quite common in MK:SM). Executing Kung Lao's Fatality, which consists of a bladed-hat slicing your opponent in half (the long way, I might add), is more than enough reason to guarantee a rental, but the lack of Xbox Live support and final polishing may sway people from dishing out $50 for it.

However, for fans of the Mortal Kombat mythos or of the mindless beat'em ups of an age long past, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks should be near the top of your wishlist.

Rating: 4/5