If you're a fan of the series, there's little reason not to pick it up right away.
Mortal Kombat saw a dramatic resurgence in 2011 after the much-loved franchise changed ownership from Midway to Warner Bros. This month witnessed the release of the tenth major Mortal Kombat game, hence the name Mortal Kombat X. It's a landmark moment for the series, and this is a game befitting the moment.
Unlike games like Street Fighter and Tekken, Mortal Kombat was never taken seriously by hardcore fighting fans, and MKX might still not change that, but the developers have now thrown in several tweaks to make the game more competitive-friendly. But that's not to say that MKX isn't fun for everyone. In fact, it's probably the most accessible of all Mortal Kombat games, and the story mode is a great reason for it.
Stories in fighting games tend to range from terrible to non-existent, but MK games have always taken a decent stab at introducing its characters through a story. MKX does it too and it does it brilliantly. The story is broken up into various chapters, each focussing on one character. MKX takes place 25 years after the last game, so not only will you see series mainstays like Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade looking much older, but it also introduces a new generation of fighters, such as their daughter, Cassie Cage. The story mode isn't too long, but it's entertaining from start to end. It's a great way to try out multiple fighters and for series newcomers to get a foot in.
The story is just gravy though; the meat lies in MKX's brutal gameplay and there are little tweaks that make it even better than the already great 2011 game. Fighters now have three styles, each varying subtly in their move sets and combos. The X-ray moves return and they're just as cringe inducing (in a good way) as before. The signature, gore-filled finishers -- the Fatalities, also do not disappoint. In fact, one or two (if not all) of them will make you stare in awe for just how gruesome they are. But that's why you play Mortal Kombat, and I simply couldn't get enough. Old timers will also be happy to know that Brutalities return in MKX.
The challenge towers that MK games are famous for return, with the addition of living towers. These are updated regularly when you connect to the game's online servers, throwing up various tweaks that will challenge your play style and your skills. Online has received a much larger focus overall, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Faction system. The first time you start the game, you'll be asked to choose from one of five factions and almost everything you do in the game -- along with others in your faction from around the world -- will help your faction in its battle against the others.
Factions are a great way to bring a social aspect into the game, but it's tarnished by the fact that even a couple of weeks after launch, online multiplayer doesn't work too well. Matchmaking is slow and button lag ruins the experience. What's worse is that the game constantly coaxes you to pay for additional content, from locked characters like Goro, to content in the Krypt, to even easier Fatalities. Is it too much to ask that a Rs 3,500-game not hold back on its content or try to make you pay for shortcuts?
These few annoyances aside, Mortal Kombat X is a great looking, fun and deliciously brutal game that improves in the combat department in just about every way. If you're a fan of the series, there's little reason not to pick it up right away.
If you don't mind waiting, however, there should be a 'Komplete Edition' on the way in a few months, with a bunch of additional content included at a lower price. The online issues will probably be fixed by then too. If PC is your platform of choice, however, you should wait a few months regardless. It's a buggy mess, with the devs pushing out GBs worth of patches every few days to try and fix it. Wait for them to iron it out before jumping in.
Score: 8/10 (PS4, Xbox One); 6/10 (PC)
Game details
- Developer: NetherRealm Studios
- Publisher: Warner Bros Games
- Genre: Fighting
- Suitable for ages: 18+
- Platforms and prices: Rs 999 (PC), Rs 2,999 (PS3, Xbox 360), Rs 3,499 (PS4, Xbox One)
Images courtesy: Warner Bros. Games
The author is Editor, IndianVideoGamer.com
