Important – Product Includes Content With Redemption Deadline: Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition includes several items. They are the Mortal Kombat video game (DVD, in package), its downloadable content (included on the disc), a music compilation (downloaded .zip file to a PC, requires redemption code), and the Mortal Kombat movie from 1995 (Xbox Live/Zune Video download in the case of the X360 product featured in this review, via redemption code). The cards with these codes note that they expire around December 31, 2012. None of the game content is time-limited, only redeeming your bonus materials is.

Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition follows the by now established trend of a successful title offering a ’Game of the Year’ package that includes things previously featured as DLC. In this case, you’re getting a pretty well made 2D (in game style, despite the 3D visuals) fighting game, several alternate costumes for some of the roster, and four extra characters. Whether you’re interested in single-player activities, local multiplayer, or online play, you’re covered just fine. Just make no mistake about the ’M for Mature’ rating on the front; enough blood and guts fly around during the fights that it’s very apt and this is not a game for kids.

Billed as a reboot of the series, Mortal Kombat pits two fighters against one another as they trade punches, kicks, throws, and various fantastic special moves; this is all typical for the genre. Building a ’super meter’ for doing so, which you can then spend to fuel improved special attacks, slip free of an opponent’s combo, or spend the whole thing on a devastating ’X-ray attack’ that gives a very cinematic view of the ensuing beating are also fairly normal by this time, so if you’ve played any fighting game within the last few years then you probably get the basic idea.

What makes MK stand out is how much content it offers, and that it goes to significant lengths to both reward practice while also allowing less devoted players to at least do a few decent but very simple combos built in to each character. There’s even a surprisingly lengthy and voice-acted story mode that lets you sample most of the roster, joined by a ’tower of challenges’ to offer an unusually large amount of single-player content for a fighting game. If you just want to mess around on your own or play casually with friends, you can. It only takes a few minutes to learn the basics, pick up a few combos, and have fun! The wide cast of characters who all share some common basic moves but have very different combos, special attacks, and noteworthy normal attacks also help keep things interesting.

This doesn’t mean it’s just some casual game for people who aren’t normally into fighters, though. Mortal Kombat has plenty of depth to learn if you’re willing to put in the practice. More complex combos, a better understanding of your character’s tools, and strong fundamental skills in the genre will take you pretty far. While the community has decreased somewhat since the game’s release in 2011, there are still plenty of players to go up against, and the developers have been fairly active in keeping the game updated.