The Mortal Kombat 11 game was released on all major gaming machines. You can get it on Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and the PlayStation 4. It was made by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. The game runs on a modified version of the unreal Engine three, and as the name implies t is the 11th main installation of the mortal combat fame series. 

Now that preliminary introductions have been done and you’ve gotten a grasp of this game’s basics, let’s get into the game proper. 

The Story Is Ridiculous But in The Right Way 

Now, to the story. There’s only one way to describe it; huge. The story mode is the most exciting superhero animated movie you’ll ever see. It’s ridiculous, of course, but in a way you’d expect games to be ridiculous. All the characters are fleshed out, and no single detail feels out of place. It picks up after the Mortal Kombat X story and then introduces Kronika, a game-changer who sets the scene for yet another timeline reset. And as all storylines that deal with time, this sets up some cool scenes where players have to confront their future or past selves. 

However, like every game, Mortal Kombat has its flaws. For one, the loot is randomized. That’s probably not a big deal, but it means you end up with things that you don’t need in this game. You may get extra gear for a character you don’t use, infinitesimal extra currency, and a fatality for some character you don’t use nor plan to. 

You may like it, but like all NetherRealm games, this one also comes with microtransactions. There’s a Kombat pack that features six characters, including Shang Tsung. The Kombat pack comes free with the 100$ premium version of the game or can be purchased separately for about $40. 

Does The Gameplay Add Up?

Ever since Mortal Kombat was immortalized as a game series over twenty-five years ago, it had the reputation of being this gory game where limbs were torn off at will and where blood was, well, everywhere. This game has always been known for the lengths its makers go to make it gory than for the gameplay itself. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as long as the gameplay adds up. 

But does the gameplay of this game add up? Well, it seems the answer to that question is an overwhelming yes. Ever since Mortal Kombat 9, the quality of gameplay of the game has seen a massive upgrade, and that upgrade continued with Mortal Kombat 11. Right out of the gate, some might be willing to argue that it’s the best Mortal Kombat game yet. 

Different But Better Controls

So, where do we start? The controls, naturally. Most 2D games are animated around a light, medium, or heavy attacks, but Mortal Kombat remains relatively simple with two kick buttons, two punch buttons, and one block button. However, it isn’t that simple. The game requires dial-up combos that are only possible if you have very specific knowledge of each button. Of course, you may have a hard time getting used to this game mode, but the game makes up for it by having an amazing fighting tutorial. The tutorial is so comprehensive that you can’t come out of it without having solid grasp of how you’re supposed to play the game and win.

One big departure from the previous installation of the games is the splitting of the meter. Now, there’s a defensive meter that is used for a special wake-up option and a combo-breaking move called a breakaway. There’s also an offensive meter that’s used for amplifying special moves to make them hit regardless of blocks and allow them inflict a lot more damage. The great thing about this split is that it allows a move called Fatal Blow to exist outside the meter system. Fatal Blows can deliver hits that have up to 35% fatality. These hits are extremely fast and can be very difficult to create. Thankfully, only one of these hits exists per battle. The best new addition to the actual gameplay of the game is something called Krushing blows. These are special hits that are activated automatically when certain in-game conditions are met. 

Is the Kombat Still Super Fast?

Mortal Kombat X was a relatively fast game, but anyone who expects that sort of speed with the 11th installation of the game may be sorely disappointed because it’s simply not as fast. That’s not all. The run button is, well, gone. Walk speed has reduced, and the super-fast combo strings that you may be used to have disappeared totally. 

Of course, you may not fall in love with the slowed-down pace of the game, but you’ll probably come to love it, as it makes the game a lot easier to follow. The fights are a lot more rewarding of tactical play as well because of the increased emphasis on smart positioning. Of course, you can still “rush” your way into wins, but now you can calmly play to win as well.

Verdict

Fighting games aren’t known for hitting all the right notes. Most of them are great in one department, and rubbish in the other. This is not the case for Mortal Kombat 11, though, as it’s good in almost all areas.  The story mode is equal parts fun, equal parts ridiculous, and equal parts challenging enough for you to follow it. The gameplay is most definitely better than most, and the tutorial will teach you everything you need to know about the game easily. Overall, NetherRealm did a great job on this one and it’s worth playing.