Mortal Kombat: Deception

 Xbox
  • Publisher: Midway
  • Release Date: Oct 4, 2004
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 53 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 53
  3. Negative: 0 out of 53
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  1. GameSpot AU
    70
    One for the fans. Even though it is an "all-in-one" package of games, the Arcade Kombat mode remains the centre of attention.
  2. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    67
    It's unfortunate that the underlying mano a mano action can't match the rest of Deception's ambitious package, but precious little has been done to improve upon the last MK's ("Deadly Alliance") leaden, mash-happy combat. [Dec 2004, p.152]
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  3. Game Revolution
    67
    As it stands, Deception is just an obese version of "Deadly Alliance." There's a lot more fat to chew on, but very little new substance.
  5. XboxAddict
    64
    Provides some great fun in the form of mini games like Chess Kombat and a game of Puzzle Kombat here or there. However, the main event fight game leaves much to be desired.
  6. games(TM)
    60
    It's fair to say that Deception remains true to the series in that it delivers much of what you'd want from it, though this only means it's a reasonable fighting game with plenty of blood and some grisly deaths... Kould have been much better. [Dec 2004, p.110]
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  7. Extreme Gamer
    60
    Deception did nothing for me and it could be because of my countless hours playing "Soul Calibur," but I need more out of my fighting games.
  8. Xbox Nation Magazine
    50
    The worst of these bonus modes is the "new and improved" Konquest mode intended to flesh out the Kombat universe through an RPG-like interface. What you get instead is a shambling mess of an adventure made up of ridiculous fetch quests and crap voice acting.
  9. GameSpy
    50
    Despite how oddly compelling I found many of the diversions found herein, I couldn't get too into this game's dated fighting mechanic.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best Xbox Game of 2004
27
#27 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
58
#58 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Untitled94
    Jul 15, 2021
    8
    Great fighting game with a decent story. This game has so much variety to it with a lot of modes and collectables in the form of pictures,Great fighting game with a decent story. This game has so much variety to it with a lot of modes and collectables in the form of pictures, music and videos. They put so much into this game, I wish some of the later games would've had as much content as this game did. In terms of the regular gameplay, I prefer the 2011 MK over this one, but it's still fun.… Full Review »
  2. shootingstars99
    Aug 13, 2019
    6
    Mortal Kombat's jump to the 3D fighter world was as fun, yet extremely awkward. The movement is nowhere near the level that games like VirtuaMortal Kombat's jump to the 3D fighter world was as fun, yet extremely awkward. The movement is nowhere near the level that games like Virtua Fighter, Dead or Alive and Tekken are at. The combos, even the more intricate juggles were all easy to figure out within a few hours of having the game, and some characters just feel stronger than others. Mileena can do a 9 hit combo that involves juggling and popping back up enemies for 30% damage, while Kobra and Scorpion can get that in a 4 or 5 hit BnB combo. Most of us know by now Mortal Kombat is not the most intricate and execution heavy fighters around, and the main draw isn't the fighting at all, but the fatalities after the fact, because even if your brains are gone, you can probably still play Mortal Kombat. The game is a decent attempt at a 3D fighter, and is certainly fun, but ultimately is overshadowed by its 3D fighter contemporaries.… Full Review »
  3. evolution98
    Oct 8, 2017
    9
    My favorite Mortal Kombat game.

    The graphics are great. The character models, battle damage and blood look better than Deadly Alliance. The    My favorite Mortal Kombat game.

    The graphics are great. The character models, battle damage and blood look better than Deadly Alliance. The soundtrack is good but I like Deadly Alliance more. The sound is reused from Deadly Alliance but the voice acting and sound effects sound way better. The gameplay has been improved with the combo breaker mechanic, death traps, Hara Kiri's and the classic two fatalities system. I love the way that they brought back classic stages from the original Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 2 and Deadly Alliance. I also love that they brought back classic characters like they did with Deadly Alliance.

    The only thing I don't like is the Konquest Mode. It is a good mode but it's too short and the emphasis on finding collectible chests in which some of them are really hard to find and to unlock most of the extras, team photos, stages, costumes and fighters that are in the Krypt can get really irritating. I hate the way if you wanted to learn moves and battle classic characters you had to find them, then practice their moveset then go to a different area and fight someone else and unlock items which I found to be very time consuming as you already have practice mode to use and you can buy unlockables in the krypt. The ending is bad and Shujinko is dumb. They should have stayed with the Deadly Alliance version of Konquest mode as it was easier to earn money and you could buy the things you wanted in the Krypt.

    Another thing I didn't like is that some of the new characters and their fatalities are bad but not as terrible as Deadly Alliance. Most of the new and classic characters used recycled win animations which was a cheap thing to do. The game's arcade mode is WAY too short with only 6 fights as Deadly Alliance had much more and I think the Hara Kiri's were a waste of time.

    Overall, A great Mortal Kombat game. Buy it.    … Full Review »
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