In Story mode you have to choose with which group you want to fight to follow the story from their point of view. As you progress you have to fight several characters which brings some variation and this is certainly necessary as the mode is quite boring and all but original. After each fight you're obliged to look at cut-scenes that usually aren't all too great and all in all the story mode lasts for about four hours including these movies. Luckily the game doesn't stand or fall with its storyline...

There are 22 playable characters which isn't a lot for Mortal Kombat. Success or failure of this type of games depends completely on the balance between fighters but unfortunately this isn't well worked out. The Mortal Kombat men are clearly stronger than those from DC Universe and even some simple moves are way too powerful.

The game combines 2D with 3D. A fight is done usually just in 2D where you get to jump, duck and move left or right with the D-pad, but by using the left joystick you can have your character move in the depth. By doing this it's very easy to evade an attack and even very irritating if another gamer uses this technique to evade yours.

Some new elements like Klose Kombat and Free Fall Kombat have been added and in the first four buttons appear at the bottom of your screen that light up when the attacker pushes the correct one. The defender then has to respond as quickly as possible by pushing the same button to do a counter-attack. Free Fall Kombat is a similar addition but only triggers when you manage to kick your opponent out of the arena. While you fall down the four buttons reappear and the same principle from Klose Kombat goes. Personally I find these features to take all speed out of the game but luckily the situations in question don't happen too often.

Audiovisually things are quite alright. The animations are smooth, the loading times remain limited and the characters look good. Don't expect Soul Calibur IV graphics as the game never manages to reach that level.

The good that the game has to offer really comes to justice when you start playing online. No problems with lag which no doubt lays at the basis at quickly finding new and incredibly good opponents. Best to practise a couple of hours offline as once you go online you will receive no mercy!