Mechanically, Mortal Kombat 1 is the most satisfying feeling entry from Netherrealm Studios in some time. I lack the skill, experience, or vocabulary to really articulate it or fully appreciate it, but it just feels good. While playing the NRS titles, I've never really been privy to any of the animation issues that other seem to have, instead only being able to really understand the gripes people have when watching back footage. For most of the cast of characters, it's been even more difficult for me to spot the "jank" present in NRS's animation style - Except for Johnny Cage. Holy shit do Johnny Cage's animations look ridiculous.
But whatever, I don't really play these games for their refined combat. I've pretty much bought every NRS title since 2011's franchise reboot on day 1 for their substantial story modes. Going into Mortal Kombat 1, I was very excited at what seemed like a real refresh for the franchise in many of the characters' designs and origins. I was particularly stoked that for once in these games, all of these experts in various Asian martial arts were themselves depicted as Asian martial artists. I was also stoked at the lack of any of those military special forces guns, grenades, and drones bullshit.
The story mode starts off fairly promising with this return to form about being a game steeped in martial arts and mysticism film pastiches, but this quickly grinds to a screeching halt and devolves into modern day superhero movie junk. Despite being marketed as a fresh start, Mortal Kombat 1 seems intent on not being able to let go from the timeline fuckery story elements from Mortal Kombat 11. Not only does this game do it worse than 2019's entry, but it also serves to diminish any unique identity either game has.
I'm not asking for anything Shakespearean in quality here and fully expect Mortal Kombat to always essentially be about smashing ninja toys together, but it feels like the developers just lost focus or lost confidence in their own storytelling and resorted to essentially making a shitty Boss Logic caliber CG movie.
If I truly had my unreasonable, zero-dollar making way, a story revolving around the first Mortal Kombat tournament, Goro, and The Great Kung Lao in addition to a cast of mostly new faces would have been the most compelling path this latest time reset could have led us. Unrealistic, for sure, but man to swing so hard the other way was a big disappointment.
Oh well, here's hoping next time around is better.
But whatever, I don't really play these games for their refined combat. I've pretty much bought every NRS title since 2011's franchise reboot on day 1 for their substantial story modes. Going into Mortal Kombat 1, I was very excited at what seemed like a real refresh for the franchise in many of the characters' designs and origins. I was particularly stoked that for once in these games, all of these experts in various Asian martial arts were themselves depicted as Asian martial artists. I was also stoked at the lack of any of those military special forces guns, grenades, and drones bullshit.
The story mode starts off fairly promising with this return to form about being a game steeped in martial arts and mysticism film pastiches, but this quickly grinds to a screeching halt and devolves into modern day superhero movie junk. Despite being marketed as a fresh start, Mortal Kombat 1 seems intent on not being able to let go from the timeline fuckery story elements from Mortal Kombat 11. Not only does this game do it worse than 2019's entry, but it also serves to diminish any unique identity either game has.
I'm not asking for anything Shakespearean in quality here and fully expect Mortal Kombat to always essentially be about smashing ninja toys together, but it feels like the developers just lost focus or lost confidence in their own storytelling and resorted to essentially making a shitty Boss Logic caliber CG movie.
If I truly had my unreasonable, zero-dollar making way, a story revolving around the first Mortal Kombat tournament, Goro, and The Great Kung Lao in addition to a cast of mostly new faces would have been the most compelling path this latest time reset could have led us. Unrealistic, for sure, but man to swing so hard the other way was a big disappointment.
Oh well, here's hoping next time around is better.