Mortal Kombat 1

A new era of Kombat

Game no: 559

Genre: Fighting 
Platform: PS5
Release Date: 2023

Mortal Kombat has always been a staple of my gaming library. I enjoyed everyone of them since the original Mortal Kombat for the Genesis. This game has been out for 2 years and everytime I wanted to buy I think it is too expensive. What joy I had when I found out that this game can be played for free on PS+ extra. Netherealm Studios is no stranger in designing fighting game but why do people play their games is always due to the top notch story mode. But sadly this year MK didn't hit the mark. There are a couple things wrong with this game lets break it down one by one. 

In the end of MK 11, the story ends with Liu Kang became the keeper of time and he went on in reshaping a new timelne. Basically they rewrote all the main characters storyline. There are no new characters in this game. Most of them come for past MK lore. The story is servicable enough but when it involves multiverse and many different character. The story can get convoluted. I miss the time when Mortal Kombat just meant the tournament without any fancy over the top storyline. 

The gameplay is another thing. There is something different for MK than other fighting games. Each blow that we land on our opponent we can feel it hitting which is great. The not so great part is that the fights are a bit cherograph. We know what is going to happen based on the move sets of each character. Granted that is most fighting games but unlike Street Fighter or Tekken where the moves are fast and we can change move on the fly, Mortal Kombat seems a much more slower endavour. Other than that the gimmick for this year game is the Kameo system. This is basically your second fighter that you can call when you need an assist. It is not a tag another person in but its basically pressing R1 and hoping that the character will land the move to give you some space. It works well but after a while you won't want to use it that much because it doesn't give that much depth. Besides the the Test Your Might, Sight, and Luck are not availble to play in offline mode which sucks. 

Honestly this game is a letdown. Mortal Kombat in my opinion peaked at MK X and after that they are trying to see if they can replicate the same formula that made it fun like before. They really should take some inspiration from MK 9 where it is just a fun game all around with fast kombat. I finished the story mode and watch the DLC Khaos Reign which I am not going to do a review for because they just add 4 more new characters. I give this game a B-Rank. Good thing it was free to play...  

Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000

I love fighting games. This did the trick 

Game no: 556

Genre: Fighting 
Platform: PS1
Release Date: 2000

I love crossovers. There is nothing much for me to review a fighting game. It's just a basic concept of two guys enter a stage and one will leave victorious. In this case teams of two (Capcom style) or 3 (SNK style) fight off until whoever is declare the winner. I never understood SNK fighting techniques. I mean I get the how to control the characters but I don't know how to execute the Supers. So the whole crossover Super moves is also a bit confusing. Excuting an SNK character super but using a Capcom fighting style takes a while getting used to. Other than that nothing too fancy. There is no end cinematics. Its just basically texts. I do like the art style which is drawn by SNK artist. Makes the characters look real. I give this game an A-Rank. 

Replayed: Bushido Blade 2

It is much better the 2nd time around 

Game no: 552

Genre: Fighting
Platform: PS1
Release Date: 1998

It's been close to 10 years since I played this game. I think I have a better appriciation of this kind of games and I wonder why 30 years later there is no game eqivalent to like this. A game with no time, no health bar just pure timing on who will get the first strike. This game has potiential but because of the hardware limitation of the PS1 the game feels a bit rigid. The controls feels clunky, the move set is limited. The gameplay is in a loop where its just the same types of enemies. The bosses from the stages have a bit of variety. One of them have a rifle and the other uses magic where makes it harder to hit. After playing it for a couple of round I got what the game is going for. This game is nothing special but this game is really special in its own way. I wish we will get a remake one day or something better. I will give this game a B-rank

Bushido Blade

Why they don't make games like this anymore

Game no: 550

Genre: Fighting
Platform: PS1
Release Date: 1997

I've played the sequel to this game before. Never played the first one. This is a very unique game where its realistic in a sense you only have one hit kill for your enemy. There are no timers, just stage and see who gets the first hit. You start by choosing your desired fighter with their weapon of choice. Their weapon consists of katanas, short swords, rapiers, lancer and so on. The game offers omni directional controls which means you can around to get your first blow. There is a story for each different characters but so far only one I got to play until the end of the game. So I really don't know how to trigger it. I finish ariound 3 characters and then I call it a day. I give the game a A-Rank. 

Replayed: Bloody Roar 2

Better than the first one 

Game no: 548

Genre: Fighting
Platform: PC
Release Date: 1998

What can I say about this game that I didn't tell before. Nothing much. It is just a better than the previous one. Improve graphics, better controls and new characters. The graphics are so much better that this is one of the hardest titles to emulate on the ps1 due to a lot of particle effects. For 1998 that is considered a techincal marvel. But the fighting is a stiff as usual. The thing with most ps1 3D fighting games is that I think running a game in 3D eats up resources which means you can't have it top fluid. But it is a still a fun game to play nontheless. Played it again just to see that if it holds up. Yes it does. I give it a B-Rank 

Replayed: Bloody Roar

Classic PS1 fighting game 

Game no: 546

Genre: Fighting
Platform: PS1
Release Date: 1997

In the begining of the PS1. Fighting games were really quite basic. There are no complicated combos to do. It is mostly who gets to land the hits first. Bloody Roar took that formula and added a beast mode function to the game a little more interesting. The transformation will give you and extra advantage in power. Different move sets does give it an advantage in the game. But in the end, its a fighting game. If you are not that great with it, you are going to suck anyway. Played until the final boss and I consider the game is done. I give this game a B-Rank 

Super Smash Bros

The game that started it all 

Game no: 534
Genre: Fighting
Platform: Nintendo 64
Release Date: 1999

I've never played the original Smash Bros before but I've played all subsequent versions after that. Which each version that release they made it better with refine characters, stages and mode. So I thought why not check out the game that started it all. The first Smash Bros in my mind was a proof of concept on the idea. Get all the Nintendo mascots and beat the living hell of each other sounds fun. Well it is. But this game is really barebones. They only have one single player mode and a multiplayer mode with some training stuff sprinkle in between. So I am here to say what the game is lacking and how did they fix it. 

First of all the combat. The combat is fun but the controls are a bit stiff. All characters have 4 way directional attack and supers but its all just one combo.There is no charge attack (the fixed that in Melee). Chracters eventhough are fast they seem a bit clunky. Which makes combat not that particularly exiciting. Other than that everything about this game is fine. I can't complain too much because this is the first in the series. What makes it awesome is that they not just improve it. They went above and beyond for the next game on the gamecube. Which makes this an awesome series going forward. But for the first try I will give it a A-Rank since I did finish the single player mode and it was serviceable

Virtual Fighter 2

Last game on the Saturn 

Genre: Fighting
Platform: Sega Saturn
Release Date: 1995

This was the premier fighting game on the Saturn. Too bad the game is not that great. This game is more cat and mouse since whoever get the first combo in will practically win the game. Well most fighting games are like that but over the years they have gotten better by adding counters and such. This game does that but to execute the moves prove to be difficult. In the end you'll just end up spamming the buttons until you ring out the opponent off stage. D-Rank for me. And with that I am done with Saturn games.  

Fighters Megamix

Sega own Smash Bros game 

Game no: 502
Genre: Fighting
Platform: Sega Saturn 
Release Date: 1996

Sega created a lot of fighting games during this time. Virtua Fighter, Fighting Vipers and other loads of characters. They decided to put them all in one game and call it a complication of sorts. Fighting games of old has a problem that I realize.  The game is mostly a combination of rock paper scissors in which whoever hits the button first wins. This game is just that, a string of button mashes first and see which one lands to the opponent. The good thing about the game is that the roster is robust and there are a lot of characters to choose from. Even the car from Daytona. But due to the game being uneven some characters are a bit OP then the rest. Overall this game I give it a B-Rank.  

SNK vs Capcom - The Match of the Millennium

The Final Neo Geo fighting game and it is one of the best

Game no: 477
Genre: Fighting
Platform: Neo Geo Pocket
Release Date: 1999

Basically is the crossover that we wanted and we got. This game is deep and amazing. It has a rich story where both bosses from Capcom and SNK are trying to stop our heroes. The final boss is also super hard which is always the way of this types of games. I can say for two buttons you can do all the moves and specials which is a real feat of this small machine. This is a must play for any Neo Geo Pocket owners. I give this game an A-Rank

SNK Gals' Fighters

I think by this time they just recycle the sprites 

Game no: 476
Genre: Fighting
Platform: Neo Geo Pocket
Release Date: 2000

This game was release at the end of the Neo Geo Pocket life cycle and I think they want something to be made fast since this game is just all the girls from different fighting games. The art is the same as their respected game series (Fatal Fury, KOF, Samurai Showdown) and they have the same tight fighting controls. There is a story and it quite interesting. Overall fighting games on the NGP is always a win. A-Rank

Samurai Showdown 2

SNK does make great fighting games

Game no: 475
Genre: Fighting
Platform: Neo Geo Pocket
Release Date: 1999

A pocket version of Samurai Showdown. What amaze me is that how they manage to make it deep with only 2 buttons and a very limited pixel count. All the combos are there as well as the super move. The story is so so in my book but the gameplay is fun. I give this game a A Rank. 

The Last Blade: The Lost Destiny

The pocket is really meant for fighting games

Game no: 470
Genre: Fighting 
Platform: Neo Geo Pocket
Release Date: 2000

This is a weapons fighter where most of the characters have some sort of projectile weapons (one us a shaolin monk and the other uses turtles as projectiles). The combo system is deep and you can counter their attack if timed right. The points that you get can be used to buy artwork and video endings. For a pocket title this is one of the deep ones. I like it. I give it an A-Rank. 

King of Fighters R-2

The pocket is great for fighting games

Game no: 469
Genre: Fighting 
Platform: Neo Geo Pocket
Release Date: 1999

Awesome gameplay but this time you can play as 3 people this time. The combos and moves are the same with just two buttons. But the background is a bit bland. I enjoy it. So I give it a B-Rank.

Fatal Fury F-Contact

Sprite based combat as it best 

Game no: 468
Genre: Fighting 
Platform: Neo Geo Pocket
Release Date: 1999

It turns out that a handheld machine can have a deep fighting game with just two buttons. This game is a just Fatal Fury but in a pocket mode. The colors and most one color but it still looks as detail as possible. You can do the same combos. I really enjoyed this game so I am giving this an A-Rank. Great pocket game 

Street Fighter Alpha 2

This game is amazing if you see the youtube in making it

Game no: 460
Genre: Fighting
Platform: SNES 
Release Date: 1996

This is a different timeline version of street fighter. Or maybe a prequel. Really I have no clue. There are 20+ fighters each with its own distinctive fighting style. What is different than previous games. Each fighter has it's on super meter which can be executed into super moves. Controls are tight. Gameplay is fun. This is a very enjoyable game. No complaints. It a very good game. Played one round and that's about it. I give it a B-Rank since it's a fighting game so it's best to be played with someone else  

SIFU

 This game is amazing 

Game no: 454
Genre: Fighting
Platform: PC 
Release Date: 2022

You play as a boy or girl who saw your dad got murdered in front of you. After seeing that you trained 8 years to get your revenge. The only caveat is that for every time you die you will age an extra year. You will get stronger in strength but weaker in health.

Sifu is a game about patience and perseverance. Every move, block, kick and attacks needs to be carefully timed and executed or not you will die. And die you will a lot. This game is unrelentless and unforgiving. It will let you know you mess up you have to start again. The enemies are all in boss mode and are super difficult. But the difficulty is offset by how much training you get. Every time you lose you get older but also you get wiser in the game. You develop muscle memory on how to handle the environments. This game is a rougelike where you will play this game over and over again until you get as they say in the gaming world "good". The controls are seamless and the animation is super fast and quick 

That says that this game is so not for me. I mean I love the story and I want to see how it ends. But I don't have the patience or the perseverance to play this game. After dying for multiple times, again and again. Constantly getting frustrated I ended up using a Cheat Engine to make myself god mode and one hit kill. I tell you what after doing this, the game not only became more fun but also it also much more easier. I now believe that game can be played any way you want and this way is the best way to play the game for me. I do heard that the developers are going to put some accessibility options and an easy mode. Which is great

In the end I can say Sifu is not for everyone but I do think everyone should play this game. This is one of my game of the year so I give this game an S-Rank in my book. I have nothing much to do in the game but I think I want to try to go a couple more rounds just for the fun of it 

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Fighting Edition

 How you meant to play Power Rangers 

Game no: 451
Genre: Fighting
Platform: SNES
Release Date: 1995

You play as either the Thunder Megazord or the Tiger Megazord. You play by fighting other MEgazords and also monster in different stages. The gameplay is great since there is a lot of different combos you can do with a 4 button system. There is button combos to get power moves. The game is short and after you beat the game you can play a VS mode. Nothing much I don't like since it is a simple SNES game. A-Rank for me since I really did enjoy myself 

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate : Aftermath

The continuation of one of the best fighting games ever 

Game no: 391
Genre: Fighting 
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 2020

What is it about?
As the name says the ultimate edition that includes all the characters from all the DLC plus an extra 6 chapter story 

What I liked?
The story is interesting. Netherealm studios are really the master of storytelling the fighting game space
The extra characters are fun. Robocop, Rambo, Terminator all play differently. It's fun to play as them 

What I didn't liked?
Well I actually can't fault the game but the switch port is really the worse way to play this game. Load times are really so long. But on the other hand, how they manage to fit everything in the switch is beyond amazing 
Playing fighting games alone is really boring 

Status: Finish the aftermath storyline and play with some of the characters 

Fun Factor: If you play MK 11. You need to check this out 

Skullgirls

 An awesome fighting game with really beautiful hand drawn animation 

Game no: 380
Genre: Fighting
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 2015

What is it about?
I have no idea but its just a fighting game where 90% of the characters are girls

What I liked?

Art style is amazing
Each character controls differently enough. You will find a character that you will like.

You can choose either 1,2 or 3 players on your team. The only caveat is that the more players you choose the less powerful you will be.

Mostly is button mashing but it makes you feel that you are actually a good time

What I didn't liked?

The storymode is a bore. They are trying to make a lot of lore but in the end is just too boring 

Some of the characters really are hard to control and some of the characters are a bit too overpowered 

Status: Played all of the characters. Had a great time

Fun Factor: A great fighting game. Should be played with a friend as always