In most types of games, a little bit of lag can usually be tolerated, especially when you're playing a game against a lot of other people. There's a good chance that everyone else has to deal with it, too, so you aren't necessarily at a huge disadvantage. On the other hand, since fighting games require lightning fast reflexes and the ability to quickly perform intricate combinations before your opponent, it's essential that everything run smoothly. Unless you don't mind taking a flurry of fists to the face before you can respond, you'd better hope that you've got a good connection.
In the next few weeks, there will be a lot of releases that could possibly make or break online fighting as we know it. If they perform poorly, we might have to wait until the next console cycle before we see any more hand-to-hand combat over the internet. However, if they're able to provide a smooth, lag-free experience for the combatants, there's a good chance that we'll be seeing a revival of the genre that fueled the arcade boom of the early nineties. Not surprisingly, some of the most beloved franchises from that period are going to be on the front lines, and they're going to have to prove to all of their diehard fans that they know how to take it to the next level. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the most promising online fighters that we'll be seeing in the future.
Mortal Kombat: Deception
Say what you will about the ultra-violent franchise, but there's no denying that it's got one of the most rabid fanbases in all of gaming. Many people feel that the series has gotten a bit stale of late, while others find that the games were never very good to begin with, only getting by on the over-the-top gore that made headlines back in the day. Still, blood sells, and there's just something about being able to rip off an opponent's head while taunting them that translates perfectly to Live play. Add to that two different fighting styles for each character, as well as the ability to wield weapons, and there's no doubt that the latest game will fly off store shelves from Danvers to Denver.
The early word is that the network code is extremely tight on this one, and players are automatically hooked up with other gamers in their area, ensuring a pleasant experience. The game also supports voice chat, as well, so you can talk smack while laying the smackdown. Unfortunately, you can't set up tournaments or anything like that, but you can view everyone's statistics, including wins, losses, and the number of times they've left (or been dropped out of) matches.
