Mortal Kombat 9
Encyclopedia
Mortal Kombat, also known as Mortal Kombat (2011), is a 2D
fighting game
with 3D graphics
(2.5D
) and the ninth installment in the Mortal Kombat series. It was developed by NetherRealm Studios
(formerly known as Midway Games
) and published exclusively under the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment label. The game was released for the PlayStation 3
and Xbox 360
systems on April 19, 2011 in North America, and on April 21 in Europe.
Mortal Kombat was officially announced on June 10, 2010, accompanied with a debut trailer which showcases the new presentation and gameplay features. Although set directly after Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
, the game focuses on the earliest period in the Mortal Kombat series (the trilogy Mortal Kombat
, Mortal Kombat II
, and Mortal Kombat 3
). The storyline involves the thunder god Raiden
attempting to change the present by contacting his former self.
Upon release, Mortal Kombat received positive reviews (achieving an aggregated score of 85 out of 100 at Metacritic
). The game is currently banned in Australia
due to "extreme violence".
stated developers intended for Mortal Kombat to be accessible to the casual player and more "engaging", with experts on the fighting genre consulted and new features were created to create a deeper fighting experience.
Principal gameplay involves one-on-one fighting in a single 2D
fighting plane, (at sixty frames per second
) although characters are rendered in three-dimension fashion, the intent being to give depth and range to portrayals of various projectiles.
Unlike previous Mortal Kombat games, four buttons on the game controller represent an attack and are linked to a corresponding limb. A "super meter" was also added which can be charged by various actions during battle such as performing a combo or getting hit by the opponent. The super meter can be charged to three levels, with three special actions available. A single level can be used to deliver an enhanced version of one of the character's special attacks; two levels can be used to interrupt a combination attack, and the full three levels allow for the delivery of a special combination attack called an "X-ray move". During this attack, the camera provides an internal view of a defending character and shows bones and organs being broken or ruptured. Extra features include the ability to play as multiple characters during the course of the story, a Fatality
training mode (allowing players to practice executing finishing moves), the Challenge Tower, Tag team
fighting and online mode.
The Challenge Tower mode is a single-player option Boon described as "similar to an arcade ladder". It includes 300 specific challenges of various difficulties providing currency rewards upon completion, with players having the option of using in-game currency to by-pass other difficult challenges. Amongst the various challenges are "Test Your Might" (requires rapidly pressing buttons and specific timing to destroy blocks of varying difficulty), "Test Your Sight" (following an object hidden under a cup or skull and revealing the object after a shuffle), "Test Your Strike" (destroying a specific block in a stack) and "Test Your Luck" (battles with certain conditions, such as no jumping) respectively. The four player tag-team feature is an original feature, allowing two players to play together. Characters can suddenly appear on-screen and perform "assist attacks" or "special entry attacks" while the second character disappears.
Developers stated that online gameplay for Mortal Kombat would be a main priority to play on. which GamePro editors called a "smart move", The development team stated interest in capabilities to link the player's progression feed to their accounts held on social networking websites such as Facebook
and Twitter
, and recreate the feel of socializing with players in an arcade. The online mode includes a "King of the Hill" option, where up to eight players can act as spectators and play the winner of a fight. Spectators may also rate the fights and use the "forum" to determine how to perform various combos or moves observed during a fight. A single-use online pass
is also included with the game which is mandatory to access the online components. Online passes are also available from the PS Store and Xbox Live Marketplace
.
describes the game as an altered re-telling of the events of the original first three Mortal Kombat games (MK, MK II, and MK3):
Following the events of Mortal Kombat Armageddon, both forces of light and darkness have been wiped out, with only thunder god Raiden
and Shao Kahn remaining to represent their parties. A severely weakened Raiden is about to be killed by Shao Kahn
, but casts a last-minute spell on his now shattered magical amulet, directing it to contact his past self with the vague message "He must win."
During the events of the first tournament hosted by Shang Tsung
, the past version of Raiden sees visions of the future courtesy of a now cracked amulet. Raiden comes to the conclusion that fighter Liu Kang
is to win the tournament and save Earthrealm from Outworld. Although Liu Kang succeeds, Raiden's amulet continues to deteriorate, a sign that future events remain unchanged. Disappointed with Outworld's defeat, Shao Kahn orders Shang Tsung's execution, but relents when the sorcerer suggests holding the second tournament in Outworld.
Raiden attempts to change the timeline by substituting Kung Lao
for Liu Kang (the original winner of the Outworld tournament) as the champion of the second tournament. Shao Kahn, however, kills Kung Lao in combat, with Liu Kang retaliating and mortally wounding the villain. Raiden notes the timeline is still unaffected as his amulet continues to deteriorate.
Healed by the sorcerer Quan Chi, Kahn enters into an alliance with the Netherrealm and invades Earthrealm. Together with fighters such as Nightwolf, Kurtis Stryker, and Kabal
, Raiden and Liu Kang attempt to stop Kahn, although many of their allies are murdered by Kahn's resurrected wife Sindel. Nightwolf, however, sacrifices himself to kill Sindel. Raiden confronts Quan Chi, and learning of the alliance with Kahn, realizes that the message "He must win" refers to Kahn himself — if he is allowed to merge Outworld and Earthrealm, he will be punished by the Elder Gods for a violation of the Mortal Kombat code for taking a realm without winning the tournament. Liu Kang, however, blames Raiden for the death of their allies and attacks an approaching Shao Kahn. In an attempt to change the future, Raiden accidentally kills Liu Kang. Grief-stricken, Raiden "surrenders" to Shao Kahn. The Elder Gods intervene, restoring Raiden's strength which he in turn uses to defeat and punish Kahn for breaking the Mortal Kombat code. After killing Kahn, Raiden vows to rebuild Earthrealm with survivors Johnny Cage
and Sonya
.
Quan Chi revealed to be the pawn of Shinnok, who intends to take advantage of the chaos and the elimination of Kahn to conquer both Outworld and Earthrealm in the name of the Netherrealm.
that there was a focus on including characters from the first three games (Mortal Kombat, MKII, and MK3), claiming "If you have a favorite character from those games, you're probably going to see him or her in the game." The game's roster offers twenty-seven characters (Baraka, Cyrax
, Ermac
, Jade, Jax, Johnny Cage
, Kabal, Kano, Kitana
, Kung Lao
, Liu Kang, Mileena, Nightwolf, Noob Saibot
, Quan Chi, Raiden
, Reptile
, Scorpion
, Sektor
, Shang Tsung
, Sheeva, Sindel, Smoke
, Sonya
, Stryker, Sub-Zero
and Cyber Sub-Zero - alternate character form) with the PlayStation 3 version featuring Kratos
from the God of War
series as a platform-exclusive character.
Game developers stated that the characters have been designed with the intent to make each character unique - each having their own individual stances, victory poses and Fatalities
with no shared animations. Lead designer John Edwards stated that characters are differentiated by features such as power and speed. Producer Shaun Himmerick stated that the internal and external character design required "two months or ten weeks". Boon stated that there is no exclusive character for the Xbox 360 version, claiming "Unfortunately, the circumstances didn't allow us to make a 360 exclusive."
, would dictate what features would appear in "the next game". During 2009, Midway Games Chicago
had filed for its bankruptcy and was purchased by Warner Bros. Interactive. This led the game to be developed by NetherRealm Studios
, becoming the first installment in the series to be published exclusively under the Warner Bros. label. On June 18, 2009, Boon confirmed on his Twitter
page that developers were performing motion capture
for the game and that it would not feature superheroes. Dan Forden
was also expected to return as the music composer for the game. In late 2009, Boon stated that the franchise was returning to its bloody origins and that the production team were aiming for a "Mature" rating, as opposed to the "Teen" on the previous game. Boon also showed concern about content being classified under the "Adults Only" rating.
Mortal Kombat was officially revealed on June 10, 2010 with a release for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2011. It was revealed at the Sony
E3 press conference that Mortal Kombat would be 3D compatible, and Boon stated that in dealing with the 3D capability, more attention to detail was required so as to not obstruct the gameplay. Ed Boon stated that the extras mode from previous games ("The Krypt") has returned with an "elaborate and sophisticated unlocking system" and puts "the other games in the series to shame." Some mild humorous elements are also included, such as the Babalities feature. Boon also stated that the production team are considering a PC port of Mortal Kombat as "there seems to be a market for [PC video games] in Europe." On April 5, 2011 Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NetherRealm Studios announced Mortal Kombat was finished and ready for mass production, with pre-orders having gone "gold".
, similar to the engine used by its predecessor, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Developers recreated the entire fighting engine so that it was restricted to a 2D plane of fighting, with senior Producer, Hans Lo, stating at Gamescom
2010 that the change from a 3D styled gameplay to 2D gameplay was advantageous for Mortal Kombat, as it increased graphical detail for characters, arenas and improvements in gameplay speed. Another new mechanic is the inclusion of "blood physics" (blood loss is portrayed as being more natural and being clearly visible on characters or surroundings).
According to Dave Pindara, the art lead for Mortal Kombat, environments were developed to create active objects and effects such as "scripted cinema events", "dynamic lighting effects", and "characters and objects that animated and reacted to the fights." Arena development began with 18 arenas but development of environments with different times of day and original arenas related to the plot, scaled up arena development to roughly 30 arenas. One unique feature is included with each stage such as "The Desert" which has a "sand tech", allowing for realistic sand motion during characters interaction.
Dan Forden, lead sound designer, stated the intent was to create a "cinematic game audio experience". Sound effect design included use and enhancement of the "bone-crunching audio design" of previous titles, and while the "dynamic experience" was vital, small details such as the "rustling of fighter's clothes" and background sounds were also included. Music for each stage was similar to previous games but with "a completely new arrangement".
page was added to the website, and an accompanying Facebook application was also released that showcased a teaser trailer for the game. On August 31, 2010, a teaser trailer called Shadows debuted on IGN
. The trailer included a track titled "Another Way to Die
", from the band Disturbed's album, Asylum
. On October 4, 2010, the Environment Bio trailer of the Mortal Kombat arena, The Pit, was released to explain the in-game backstory on its origins and evolution. Similar videos featuring The Living Forest, the Deadpool, and Kahn's Coliseum were released afterward, also explaining background information on the stages. In a similar fashion, character profile videos were released for Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Mileena, Liu Kang, and Raiden.
On June 10, 2010, a trailer was released which featured 2D fighting and also showcased other new features including a tag team mode. On March 8, 2011, a demo was released for download globally exclusively for PlayStation Plus members. As of March 15, the demo is now available for non-PlayStation Plus members. The demo (an arcade ladder with single or two player capability) showcases four characters - Johnny Cage, Mileena, Scorpion and Sub-Zero - and the stages The Living Forest and The Pit.
In May 2011, Performance Design Products sponsored the inaugural National Mortal Kombat Championship in Las Vegas. Mortal Kombat was also internationally represented in the 2011 Evo Championship Series, by being recognized as a "main tournament fighting game". Mortal Kombat was also the only game during the Evo Series' finals in which eight game characters were represented. PDP Nationals champion Justin Wong and Evo 2011 champion Carl "Perfect Legend" White spoke positively of Mortal Kombat' s place in future tournament events.
, dubbed a Mortal Kombat Klassic costume), and the Tournament Edition (includes fight stick controller as opposed to bookends and an art book) respectively. A European version of the Kollector's Edition was also released (includes the game, art book, a Scorpion & Sub-Zero figurine, a Steelbook case and downloadable skins. In the United States preorders at retailers Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart
were provided with classic Mortal Kombat skins for Kitana and Mileena. A classic Jade skin was also included with preorders of Mortal Kombat
or Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
on Blu-ray
(both released April 19, 2011). GameStop
, Best Buy
and Amazon.com
also participated in preorder bonuses and included classic costumes and fatalities for Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Reptile respectively. Mortal Kombat-themed costumes were also provided for the owners of Xbox 360
avatar
s who preordered any version of the game.
), Kenshi (a blind swordsman first introduced in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
), Rain (first seen in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
) and Freddy Krueger
from the A Nightmare on Elm Street
franchise. A free compatibility pack is available alongside each character that contains "klassic" skins for two characters and is available to all players.
A "Season Pass" available to Xbox 360 users offers the first four DLC characters together at an overall discounted price.Warner Bros. is one of the first few game companies that introduced the concept of season pass - a long term, pre-paid, post-launch downloadable content plan.
listed Mortal Kombat as "one of the reasons for people to own a gaming console in 2011", with PC Magazine
and 2D-X
editor Jeffrey L. Wilson
claiming this was one of the most anticipated titles of E3 2010
. News24
stated players will be able to "experience some real Kombat again". The E3 2010 showcase version of Mortal Kombat received the Best Fighting Game of E3 and Best Stage Demo of E3 awards by GameSpot
, and the Best Fighting Game of E3 award by GameTrailers
. Mortal Kombat received the Best Fighting Game of 2011 award in the 2011 Golden Joystick Awards.
Reviews for Mortal Kombat have been positive. At GameRankings, the combined reviews for the game are currently 86.30% for the PlayStation 3 version and a close 86.18% for the Xbox 360 version. The two versions received similar scores at Metacritic
.
GameSpot praised the quality of the story given the fighting game genre, while 1UP compared it with a "full length movie". Gameplay was well-received due to its balance, violence, and use of a "classic 2D template". GameZone
stated claiming Mortal Kombat was "a fitting reboot for the series would be an understatement", as "while offering plenty of nostalgia" the game is "a major step up for the series". Eurogamer
referred to the new online mode "King of the Hill" feature as a "welcome addition", despite some "noticeable lag" at times. One complaint concerned the shifting levels of difficulty in story mode, being described by IGN
as "needlessly cheap" that "forces you to fight cheap tactics with cheap tactics."
due to "violence that exceeds strong in impact". Warner Bros. unsuccessfully appealed the decision to the Classification Review Board, who ruled "the impact of the violence in Mortal Kombat is higher than strong and thus could not be accommodated within the MA15+ classification". The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service lists the game as a prohibited item. The Australian Minister for Home Affairs
Brendan O'Connor has asked to be briefed on the Mortal Kombat decision, citing "public disquiet on the issue".
2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
fighting game
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
with 3D graphics
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
(2.5D
2.5D
2.5D , 3/4 perspective and pseudo-3D are terms used to describe either:* 2D graphical projections and techniques which cause a series of images or scenes to fake or appear to be three-dimensional when in fact they are not, or* gameplay in an otherwise three-dimensional video game that is...
) and the ninth installment in the Mortal Kombat series. It was developed by NetherRealm Studios
NetherRealm Studios
NetherRealm Studios is an American video game developer based in Chicago, Illinois. The company was founded in 2010 replacing WB Games Chicago and Midway Games, which purchased assets in 2009 that were formerly owned by Midway Games Chicago after Midway filed for bankruptcy...
(formerly known as Midway Games
Midway Games
Midway Games, Inc. is an American company that was formerly a major video game publisher. Following a bankruptcy filing in 2009, it is no longer active and is in the process of liquidating all of its assets. Midway's titles included Mortal Kombat, Ms.Pac-Man, Spy Hunter, Tron, Rampage, the...
) and published exclusively under the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment label. The game was released for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
systems on April 19, 2011 in North America, and on April 21 in Europe.
Mortal Kombat was officially announced on June 10, 2010, accompanied with a debut trailer which showcases the new presentation and gameplay features. Although set directly after Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon is the seventh game in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The PlayStation 2 version was released in stores on October 11, 2006 while the Xbox version was released on the October 16, with a Wii version released on May 29, 2007 in North America.The game was not released...
, the game focuses on the earliest period in the Mortal Kombat series (the trilogy Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat (video game)
Mortal Kombat is a 1992 fighting-game developed and published by Midway for arcades. In 1993, home versions were released by Acclaim Entertainment. Released in the Fall of 1994, the Microsoft Windows 3.1x version was released by Activision Interactive. It is the first title in the Mortal Kombat...
, Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat II is a competitive fighting game originally produced by Midway Games for the arcades in . It is the second game in the Mortal Kombat series. Like its predecessor, various home versions were produced...
, and Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game developed by Midway and released in 1995, first as an arcade game. It is the third game in the Mortal Kombat series...
). The storyline involves the thunder god Raiden
Raiden (Mortal Kombat)
Raiden is a player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Raiden, also known as Lord Raiden, is a thunder god of the Mortal Kombat universe and protector of Earthrealm. He commands many supernatural abilities such as the ability to teleport, control over lightning, and flight...
attempting to change the present by contacting his former self.
Upon release, Mortal Kombat received positive reviews (achieving an aggregated score of 85 out of 100 at Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
). The game is currently banned in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
due to "extreme violence".
Gameplay
Mortal Kombat co-creator and creative director Ed BoonEd Boon
Edward J. Boon is an American video game programmer who had been employed for over 15 years at Midway. He now works for Warner Bros...
stated developers intended for Mortal Kombat to be accessible to the casual player and more "engaging", with experts on the fighting genre consulted and new features were created to create a deeper fighting experience.
Principal gameplay involves one-on-one fighting in a single 2D
2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
fighting plane, (at sixty frames per second
Frame rate
Frame rate is the frequency at which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames. The term applies equally well to computer graphics, video cameras, film cameras, and motion capture systems...
) although characters are rendered in three-dimension fashion, the intent being to give depth and range to portrayals of various projectiles.
Unlike previous Mortal Kombat games, four buttons on the game controller represent an attack and are linked to a corresponding limb. A "super meter" was also added which can be charged by various actions during battle such as performing a combo or getting hit by the opponent. The super meter can be charged to three levels, with three special actions available. A single level can be used to deliver an enhanced version of one of the character's special attacks; two levels can be used to interrupt a combination attack, and the full three levels allow for the delivery of a special combination attack called an "X-ray move". During this attack, the camera provides an internal view of a defending character and shows bones and organs being broken or ruptured. Extra features include the ability to play as multiple characters during the course of the story, a Fatality
Fatality (Mortal Kombat)
In the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games, a Fatality is a finishing move that can be used against one's defeated opponent at the end of the final match, after the boss character says "Finish Him/Her." The Fatalities are usually lethal, featuring a brutal and morbid execution of the defenseless...
training mode (allowing players to practice executing finishing moves), the Challenge Tower, Tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
fighting and online mode.
The Challenge Tower mode is a single-player option Boon described as "similar to an arcade ladder". It includes 300 specific challenges of various difficulties providing currency rewards upon completion, with players having the option of using in-game currency to by-pass other difficult challenges. Amongst the various challenges are "Test Your Might" (requires rapidly pressing buttons and specific timing to destroy blocks of varying difficulty), "Test Your Sight" (following an object hidden under a cup or skull and revealing the object after a shuffle), "Test Your Strike" (destroying a specific block in a stack) and "Test Your Luck" (battles with certain conditions, such as no jumping) respectively. The four player tag-team feature is an original feature, allowing two players to play together. Characters can suddenly appear on-screen and perform "assist attacks" or "special entry attacks" while the second character disappears.
Developers stated that online gameplay for Mortal Kombat would be a main priority to play on. which GamePro editors called a "smart move", The development team stated interest in capabilities to link the player's progression feed to their accounts held on social networking websites such as Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
and Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
, and recreate the feel of socializing with players in an arcade. The online mode includes a "King of the Hill" option, where up to eight players can act as spectators and play the winner of a fight. Spectators may also rate the fights and use the "forum" to determine how to perform various combos or moves observed during a fight. A single-use online pass
Online pass
In the video game industry, an online pass is a form of digital rights management for video games with online functionality. Online passes are commonly in the form of a single-use serial code found in a game's manual . Although they are used to unlock content for a game, online passes are often...
is also included with the game which is mandatory to access the online components. Online passes are also available from the PS Store and Xbox Live Marketplace
Xbox Live Marketplace
The Xbox Live Marketplace is a virtual market designed for Microsoft's Xbox 360 console that allows Xbox Live members to download purchased or promotional content...
.
Plot
Developer Ed BoonEd Boon
Edward J. Boon is an American video game programmer who had been employed for over 15 years at Midway. He now works for Warner Bros...
describes the game as an altered re-telling of the events of the original first three Mortal Kombat games (MK, MK II, and MK3):
Following the events of Mortal Kombat Armageddon, both forces of light and darkness have been wiped out, with only thunder god Raiden
Raiden (Mortal Kombat)
Raiden is a player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Raiden, also known as Lord Raiden, is a thunder god of the Mortal Kombat universe and protector of Earthrealm. He commands many supernatural abilities such as the ability to teleport, control over lightning, and flight...
and Shao Kahn remaining to represent their parties. A severely weakened Raiden is about to be killed by Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn is a boss, announcer and recurring playable character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The main antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series, Shao Kahn is the Emperor of Outworld known for his godlike strength, extreme brutality and knowledge of black magic...
, but casts a last-minute spell on his now shattered magical amulet, directing it to contact his past self with the vague message "He must win."
During the events of the first tournament hosted by Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung is a boss and player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. A powerful and deadly sorcerer and a primary antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series, Shang Tsung is a shapeshifter who absorbs the souls of those he slays in order to maintain his youth and power...
, the past version of Raiden sees visions of the future courtesy of a now cracked amulet. Raiden comes to the conclusion that fighter Liu Kang
Liu Kang
Liu Kang is a video game character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. First appearing in the series' first title, Liu Kang is portrayed as a Shaolin monk who enters the Mortal Kombat tournament to save his world, Earthrealm, from being destroyed due to having lost nine consecutive...
is to win the tournament and save Earthrealm from Outworld. Although Liu Kang succeeds, Raiden's amulet continues to deteriorate, a sign that future events remain unchanged. Disappointed with Outworld's defeat, Shao Kahn orders Shang Tsung's execution, but relents when the sorcerer suggests holding the second tournament in Outworld.
Raiden attempts to change the timeline by substituting Kung Lao
Kung Lao
Kung Lao is a player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.Kung Lao is a former Shaolin monk and a former member of the White Lotus Society. He stands in the shadow of his great ancestor, the Great Kung Lao, but unlike his great ancestor he has no desire to be champion and would...
for Liu Kang (the original winner of the Outworld tournament) as the champion of the second tournament. Shao Kahn, however, kills Kung Lao in combat, with Liu Kang retaliating and mortally wounding the villain. Raiden notes the timeline is still unaffected as his amulet continues to deteriorate.
Healed by the sorcerer Quan Chi, Kahn enters into an alliance with the Netherrealm and invades Earthrealm. Together with fighters such as Nightwolf, Kurtis Stryker, and Kabal
Kabal
For Cabal see: Cabal For Kabal, a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series See: Kabal ....
, Raiden and Liu Kang attempt to stop Kahn, although many of their allies are murdered by Kahn's resurrected wife Sindel. Nightwolf, however, sacrifices himself to kill Sindel. Raiden confronts Quan Chi, and learning of the alliance with Kahn, realizes that the message "He must win" refers to Kahn himself — if he is allowed to merge Outworld and Earthrealm, he will be punished by the Elder Gods for a violation of the Mortal Kombat code for taking a realm without winning the tournament. Liu Kang, however, blames Raiden for the death of their allies and attacks an approaching Shao Kahn. In an attempt to change the future, Raiden accidentally kills Liu Kang. Grief-stricken, Raiden "surrenders" to Shao Kahn. The Elder Gods intervene, restoring Raiden's strength which he in turn uses to defeat and punish Kahn for breaking the Mortal Kombat code. After killing Kahn, Raiden vows to rebuild Earthrealm with survivors Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage, whose real name is John Carlton, is a video game character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Cage is portrayed as a film actor who enters the game's tournament, and provides the comic relief of the franchise....
and Sonya
Sonya Blade
Sonya Blade is a player character from the Mortal Kombat series. She is portrayed in the games as an officer of the United States Special Forces.-In video games:...
.
Quan Chi revealed to be the pawn of Shinnok, who intends to take advantage of the chaos and the elimination of Kahn to conquer both Outworld and Earthrealm in the name of the Netherrealm.
Characters
Boon stated in an interview with IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
that there was a focus on including characters from the first three games (Mortal Kombat, MKII, and MK3), claiming "If you have a favorite character from those games, you're probably going to see him or her in the game." The game's roster offers twenty-seven characters (Baraka, Cyrax
Cyrax
Cyrax is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat series. Making his debut in Mortal Kombat 3, Cyrax is a cyborg ninja who used to be human until he was automated, along with Sektor and Smoke.-In video games:...
, Ermac
ERMAC
ERMAC is a forum in which risk management professionals can nurture relationships with other risk management professionals. It also provides a forum in which these professionals can discuss topical energy risk management issues and ideas...
, Jade, Jax, Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage, whose real name is John Carlton, is a video game character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Cage is portrayed as a film actor who enters the game's tournament, and provides the comic relief of the franchise....
, Kabal, Kano, Kitana
Kitana (Mortal Kombat)
Kitana is a recurring player and a one-time boss character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. One of the lead characters of the Mortal Kombat saga, Kitana is the princess of the otherdimensional realm of Edenia and the daughter of Queen Sindel...
, Kung Lao
Kung Lao
Kung Lao is a player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series.Kung Lao is a former Shaolin monk and a former member of the White Lotus Society. He stands in the shadow of his great ancestor, the Great Kung Lao, but unlike his great ancestor he has no desire to be champion and would...
, Liu Kang, Mileena, Nightwolf, Noob Saibot
Noob Saibot
Noob Saibot is a video game character from the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. He debuted as a hidden character in Mortal Kombat II , although the later game Mortal Kombat: Deception established his true identity as that of the original Sub-Zero, who was killed by his nemesis Scorpion after...
, Quan Chi, Raiden
Raiden (Mortal Kombat)
Raiden is a player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Raiden, also known as Lord Raiden, is a thunder god of the Mortal Kombat universe and protector of Earthrealm. He commands many supernatural abilities such as the ability to teleport, control over lightning, and flight...
, Reptile
Reptile (Mortal Kombat)
Reptile is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat series of video games. Created for Midway Games by John Tobias and Ed Boon, Reptile debuted in Mortal Kombat as a hidden boss and appeared in subsequent titles as a playable character. The character has also appeared on various merchandise,...
, Scorpion
Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)
Scorpion is a recurring player and boss character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. He has been a playable character in all the games, with the exception of the original version of Mortal Kombat 3.-In video games:...
, Sektor
Sektor
Sektor is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat series. Making his debut in Mortal Kombat 3 in 1995, Sektor is a cyborg ninja who used to be human until he was automated, along with Cyrax and Smoke....
, Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung is a boss and player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. A powerful and deadly sorcerer and a primary antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series, Shang Tsung is a shapeshifter who absorbs the souls of those he slays in order to maintain his youth and power...
, Sheeva, Sindel, Smoke
Smoke (Mortal Kombat)
Smoke, whose real name is Tomas Vrbada, is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. First appearing as a hidden unplayable opponent in Mortal Kombat II, Smoke makes his playable debut in Mortal Kombat 3 as an unlockable character. While Smoke is human in MK2, he becomes a...
, Sonya
Sonya Blade
Sonya Blade is a player character from the Mortal Kombat series. She is portrayed in the games as an officer of the United States Special Forces.-In video games:...
, Stryker, Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)
Sub-Zero is the name given to two video game characters from the Mortal Kombat series. The older Sub-Zero first appeared in the first Mortal Kombat game, being replaced by his younger brother in Mortal Kombat II and the subsequent games...
and Cyber Sub-Zero - alternate character form) with the PlayStation 3 version featuring Kratos
Kratos (God of War)
Kratos is a video game character from Sony Computer Entertainment'sGod of War series, which is loosely based on Greek mythology. Kratos first appeared in the highly successful video game God of War , which led to the development of five additional games featuring the character as the protagonist...
from the God of War
God of War (series)
God of War is a series of action-adventure video games based on Greek mythology.The main trilogy—God of War I, II, & III—in the series were developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica division , with Ready at Dawn Studios developing the PSP and Javaground the mobile phone installment...
series as a platform-exclusive character.
Game developers stated that the characters have been designed with the intent to make each character unique - each having their own individual stances, victory poses and Fatalities
Fatality (Mortal Kombat)
In the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games, a Fatality is a finishing move that can be used against one's defeated opponent at the end of the final match, after the boss character says "Finish Him/Her." The Fatalities are usually lethal, featuring a brutal and morbid execution of the defenseless...
with no shared animations. Lead designer John Edwards stated that characters are differentiated by features such as power and speed. Producer Shaun Himmerick stated that the internal and external character design required "two months or ten weeks". Boon stated that there is no exclusive character for the Xbox 360 version, claiming "Unfortunately, the circumstances didn't allow us to make a 360 exclusive."
Development
In a November 2008 interview, Boon stated that game sales for Mortal Kombat vs. DC UniverseMortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a crossover fighting game from Midway Games and Warner Bros. Games. The eighth game in the Mortal Kombat series, MK vs. DC was released on November 16, . MK vs. DC contains characters from both the Mortal Kombat franchise and the DC Universe...
, would dictate what features would appear in "the next game". During 2009, Midway Games Chicago
Midway Games
Midway Games, Inc. is an American company that was formerly a major video game publisher. Following a bankruptcy filing in 2009, it is no longer active and is in the process of liquidating all of its assets. Midway's titles included Mortal Kombat, Ms.Pac-Man, Spy Hunter, Tron, Rampage, the...
had filed for its bankruptcy and was purchased by Warner Bros. Interactive. This led the game to be developed by NetherRealm Studios
NetherRealm Studios
NetherRealm Studios is an American video game developer based in Chicago, Illinois. The company was founded in 2010 replacing WB Games Chicago and Midway Games, which purchased assets in 2009 that were formerly owned by Midway Games Chicago after Midway filed for bankruptcy...
, becoming the first installment in the series to be published exclusively under the Warner Bros. label. On June 18, 2009, Boon confirmed on his Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
page that developers were performing motion capture
Motion capture
Motion capture, motion tracking, or mocap are terms used to describe the process of recording movement and translating that movement on to a digital model. It is used in military, entertainment, sports, and medical applications, and for validation of computer vision and robotics...
for the game and that it would not feature superheroes. Dan Forden
Dan Forden
Daniel "Dan" Warner "Toasty" Forden is an American sound programmer and music composer, and was the lead programmer on several high-profile arcade and pinball games...
was also expected to return as the music composer for the game. In late 2009, Boon stated that the franchise was returning to its bloody origins and that the production team were aiming for a "Mature" rating, as opposed to the "Teen" on the previous game. Boon also showed concern about content being classified under the "Adults Only" rating.
Mortal Kombat was officially revealed on June 10, 2010 with a release for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2011. It was revealed at the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
E3 press conference that Mortal Kombat would be 3D compatible, and Boon stated that in dealing with the 3D capability, more attention to detail was required so as to not obstruct the gameplay. Ed Boon stated that the extras mode from previous games ("The Krypt") has returned with an "elaborate and sophisticated unlocking system" and puts "the other games in the series to shame." Some mild humorous elements are also included, such as the Babalities feature. Boon also stated that the production team are considering a PC port of Mortal Kombat as "there seems to be a market for [PC video games] in Europe." On April 5, 2011 Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NetherRealm Studios announced Mortal Kombat was finished and ready for mass production, with pre-orders having gone "gold".
Design
Mortal Kombat runs on a heavily-modified version of the Unreal Engine 3Unreal Engine 3
Unreal Engine 3 is a computer game engine developed by Epic Games. It is the third generation of Unreal Engine, designed for DirectX 9/10/11 personal computers , the Xbox 360, the PlayStation 3, the PlayStation Vita, the Wii U, Android and OpenGL-based operating systems such as iOS and Mac OS X...
, similar to the engine used by its predecessor, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Developers recreated the entire fighting engine so that it was restricted to a 2D plane of fighting, with senior Producer, Hans Lo, stating at Gamescom
Gamescom
gamescom is a trade fair for video games held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is organised by the Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware...
2010 that the change from a 3D styled gameplay to 2D gameplay was advantageous for Mortal Kombat, as it increased graphical detail for characters, arenas and improvements in gameplay speed. Another new mechanic is the inclusion of "blood physics" (blood loss is portrayed as being more natural and being clearly visible on characters or surroundings).
According to Dave Pindara, the art lead for Mortal Kombat, environments were developed to create active objects and effects such as "scripted cinema events", "dynamic lighting effects", and "characters and objects that animated and reacted to the fights." Arena development began with 18 arenas but development of environments with different times of day and original arenas related to the plot, scaled up arena development to roughly 30 arenas. One unique feature is included with each stage such as "The Desert" which has a "sand tech", allowing for realistic sand motion during characters interaction.
Dan Forden, lead sound designer, stated the intent was to create a "cinematic game audio experience". Sound effect design included use and enhancement of the "bone-crunching audio design" of previous titles, and while the "dynamic experience" was vital, small details such as the "rustling of fighter's clothes" and background sounds were also included. Music for each stage was similar to previous games but with "a completely new arrangement".
Marketing
On September 28, 2010, the slogan "Kombat Begins In..." appeared with a clock counting down on the Mortal Kombat official website, the countdown ending on Monday October 11, 2010. At the conclusion of the countdown, a link to the FacebookFacebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page was added to the website, and an accompanying Facebook application was also released that showcased a teaser trailer for the game. On August 31, 2010, a teaser trailer called Shadows debuted on IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
. The trailer included a track titled "Another Way to Die
Another Way to Die (Disturbed song)
"Another Way to Die" is a song by American rock band Disturbed, released as the first single from their fifth studio album, Asylum. Airplay for the single began on the morning of June 14, 2010. That same day, a lyric video was posted by the band on their official YouTube channel and was released as...
", from the band Disturbed's album, Asylum
Asylum (Disturbed album)
Asylum is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Disturbed. Taking inspiration from aspects of lead singer David Draiman's life, Asylum is meant to take a fresh direction in the band's music career, while remaining consistent with the band's previous albums. The album was released on...
. On October 4, 2010, the Environment Bio trailer of the Mortal Kombat arena, The Pit, was released to explain the in-game backstory on its origins and evolution. Similar videos featuring The Living Forest, the Deadpool, and Kahn's Coliseum were released afterward, also explaining background information on the stages. In a similar fashion, character profile videos were released for Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Mileena, Liu Kang, and Raiden.
On June 10, 2010, a trailer was released which featured 2D fighting and also showcased other new features including a tag team mode. On March 8, 2011, a demo was released for download globally exclusively for PlayStation Plus members. As of March 15, the demo is now available for non-PlayStation Plus members. The demo (an arcade ladder with single or two player capability) showcases four characters - Johnny Cage, Mileena, Scorpion and Sub-Zero - and the stages The Living Forest and The Pit.
In May 2011, Performance Design Products sponsored the inaugural National Mortal Kombat Championship in Las Vegas. Mortal Kombat was also internationally represented in the 2011 Evo Championship Series, by being recognized as a "main tournament fighting game". Mortal Kombat was also the only game during the Evo Series' finals in which eight game characters were represented. PDP Nationals champion Justin Wong and Evo 2011 champion Carl "Perfect Legend" White spoke positively of Mortal Kombat
Retail versions
Mortal Kombat was available for pre-order in three different editions, being Standard, Kollector's Edition (a copy of the game, art book, Sub-Zero and Scorpion figurine bookends and a downloadable content skinSkin (computing)
In computing, a skin is a custom graphical appearance achieved by the use of a graphical user interface that can be applied to specific software and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users....
, dubbed a Mortal Kombat Klassic costume), and the Tournament Edition (includes fight stick controller as opposed to bookends and an art book) respectively. A European version of the Kollector's Edition was also released (includes the game, art book, a Scorpion & Sub-Zero figurine, a Steelbook case and downloadable skins. In the United States preorders at retailers Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
were provided with classic Mortal Kombat skins for Kitana and Mileena. A classic Jade skin was also included with preorders of Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat (film)
Mortal Kombat is a 1995 American action and adventure film directed by Paul Anderson. Based on the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games, the film was the first part of the Mortal Kombat film series...
or Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is a 1997 American martial arts action film that was the sequel to 1995's Mortal Kombat, and was directed by John R. Leonetti, who had served as the cinematographer for the previous film...
on Blu-ray
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
(both released April 19, 2011). GameStop
GameStop
GameStop Corporation is an American video game and entertainment software retailer. The company, whose headquarters is in Grapevine, Texas, United States, operates 6,500 retail stores throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New...
, Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
and Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
also participated in preorder bonuses and included classic costumes and fatalities for Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Reptile respectively. Mortal Kombat-themed costumes were also provided for the owners of Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
avatar
Avatar (computing)
In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character. It may take either a three-dimensional form, as in games or virtual worlds, or a two-dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities. It can also refer to a text...
s who preordered any version of the game.
Extra features
Netherrealm Studios released the Klassic DLC pack (containing the classic outfits and fatalities that were exclusive to pre-order deals) on June 7, 2011. Downloadable characters include Skarlet (a red female character based on a rumor in Mortal Kombat IIMortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat II is a competitive fighting game originally produced by Midway Games for the arcades in . It is the second game in the Mortal Kombat series. Like its predecessor, various home versions were produced...
), Kenshi (a blind swordsman first introduced in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, originally known as Mortal Kombat V: Vengeance or simply Mortal Kombat 5, is a fighting game developed and published by Midway for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo GameCube, and Game Boy Advance...
), Rain (first seen in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game in the Mortal Kombat series, released in arcades in 1995. It is an update of Mortal Kombat 3 and was later updated again into Mortal Kombat Trilogy...
) and Freddy Krueger
Freddy Krueger
Frederick Charles "Freddy" Krueger is a fictional, horrifying character from the Nightmare on Elm Street series of horror films. He first appears in Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street as a disfigured dream stalker who uses a glove armed with razors to kill his victims in their dreams,...
from the A Nightmare on Elm Street
A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise)
A Nightmare on Elm Street is an American horror franchise that consists of nine slasher films, a television show, novels, and comic books. The franchise began with the film series created by Wes Craven. The franchise is based on the fictional character Freddy Krueger, introduced in A Nightmare on...
franchise. A free compatibility pack is available alongside each character that contains "klassic" skins for two characters and is available to all players.
A "Season Pass" available to Xbox 360 users offers the first four DLC characters together at an overall discounted price.Warner Bros. is one of the first few game companies that introduced the concept of season pass - a long term, pre-paid, post-launch downloadable content plan.
Reception
During its release month, Mortal Kombat sold two million copies between both PlayStation 3 and Xbox versions according to Ed Boon. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, publisher of NetherRealm Studios’ Mortal Kombat, reported that Mortal Kombat has shipped close to five million units, which, according to Warner Bros., covers the cost for the entire Midway asset acquisition. Prior to the game's release, TechtreeTechtree
Techtree is a technology website, based in Mumbai, India. The website does reviews, previews, and news on technology.-Founding:Techtree was started by ITNation India Pvt. Ltd., founded by Pavan Sood and Rizwan Thakur...
listed Mortal Kombat as "one of the reasons for people to own a gaming console in 2011", with PC Magazine
PC Magazine
PC Magazine is a computer magazine published by Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009...
and 2D-X
2D-X
2D-X is an independent video game blog based in New York City, New York. It was created after founder and current Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey L. Wilson experienced frustration with what he perceived as contemporary 3D gaming's overly complex control schemes...
editor Jeffrey L. Wilson
Jeffrey L. Wilson
Jeffrey L. Wilson is a consumer technology and video game editor who has written for several publications in the past decade, including E-Gear, LifeStyler, LAPTOP, Parenting, PC Mag, Sync, Wise Bread, and WWE Magazine.Wilson is currently a resident of New York City, New York, where he works as an...
claiming this was one of the most anticipated titles of E3 2010
Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010
The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010, commonly known as E3 2010, was the 16th Electronic Entertainment Expo held. The event took place on June 14–17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. E3 is an annual trade show for the computer and video games industry presented by the Entertainment Software...
. News24
News24
News24 is a South African online news resource. It is accessible via the web, on DStv, and mobile phones. The main news sections are South Africa, Africa, World, Sport, Sci-Tech and Entertainment. News24 also reports business news through Fin24...
stated players will be able to "experience some real Kombat again". The E3 2010 showcase version of Mortal Kombat received the Best Fighting Game of E3 and Best Stage Demo of E3 awards by GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
, and the Best Fighting Game of E3 award by GameTrailers
GameTrailers
GameTrailers is a media website that specializes in video game related content. It provides free access to original programming , game trailers and recorded game play. Along with standard definition , many of the video clips are offered in a higher resolution .Users can upload videos, create...
. Mortal Kombat received the Best Fighting Game of 2011 award in the 2011 Golden Joystick Awards.
Reviews for Mortal Kombat have been positive. At GameRankings, the combined reviews for the game are currently 86.30% for the PlayStation 3 version and a close 86.18% for the Xbox 360 version. The two versions received similar scores at Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
.
GameSpot praised the quality of the story given the fighting game genre, while 1UP compared it with a "full length movie". Gameplay was well-received due to its balance, violence, and use of a "classic 2D template". GameZone
GameZone
GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
stated claiming Mortal Kombat was "a fitting reboot for the series would be an understatement", as "while offering plenty of nostalgia" the game is "a major step up for the series". Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
referred to the new online mode "King of the Hill" feature as a "welcome addition", despite some "noticeable lag" at times. One complaint concerned the shifting levels of difficulty in story mode, being described by IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
as "needlessly cheap" that "forces you to fight cheap tactics with cheap tactics."
Controversy
In February 2011, the game was refused classification by the Australian Classification BoardAustralian Classification Board
The Australian Classification Board is a statutory classification body formed by the Australian Government which classifies films, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia since its establishment in 1970. The Australian Classification Board was originally incorporated...
due to "violence that exceeds strong in impact". Warner Bros. unsuccessfully appealed the decision to the Classification Review Board, who ruled "the impact of the violence in Mortal Kombat is higher than strong and thus could not be accommodated within the MA15+ classification". The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service lists the game as a prohibited item. The Australian Minister for Home Affairs
Minister for Home Affairs (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Home Affairs has been Brendan O'Connor since 6 June 2009. The Home Affairs portfolio brings together agencies such as the Australian Customs Service , the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, which were previously the...
Brendan O'Connor has asked to be briefed on the Mortal Kombat decision, citing "public disquiet on the issue".