Mortal Kombat 11 is a game that
trades heavily off its rich history
and legacy. It’s those touches,
that knowing wink and nod to past
games, and the way it remains
faithful to those iconic long-time
series stalwarts, that fill us with joy.
For all that the visuals and fighting
mechanics have moved on, Johnny
Cage still does those trademark splits,
while the classic moves of Liu Kang,
Raiden and all the other OG fighters
are faithfully reproduced. The roster
is a solid mix of both classic and more
recent favourites, though sadly, it’s
not an entirely level playing field. Play
this online, in that more intensely
competitive environment, and yourThe combat takes a step up from
MKX in its fluidity and use of defensive
and countering moves, making for
some slightly more strategic fights
than we’ve seen before. Fatal Blow
replaces MKX’s ‘X-Rays’, and becomes
active when a player’s health drops
below 30 per cent. This comeback
ability makes for some tense moments
as both players are likely in or around
that health point as the round comes
to its conclusion. Blocking still
requires perfect timing and some
characters’ teleporting moves – we’re
looking at you, Noob Saibot – feel
practically unblockable. As for main
antagonist Kronika, well that’s one
tough time-manipulating opponent.
076 THE OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE
own favourite might not cut it. You’re
certainly going to go up against
players who have found the strongest
fighters and mastered every move.Get over here
On a basic level it’s possible to
button-mash your way through
a round, and the combos, sorry
‘kombos’, and special moves have
been simplified so you don’t need
to remember a ridiculous number of
button combinations. Once you get
familiar with a fighter, you can rely
on a couple of winning moves that,
timed right, can be all you need.
It’s all down to fast reflexes and an
element of luck in the timing, but
find your moves and stick with them
and you’ll likely win, and win often.
If we’ve gleaned one tip for you, it’s
that the uppercut (down and then Y
as you come back up) is king. Each
fighter has two different Brutalities,
the Klassic, which involves holding
down Y when you do an uppercut as
the last hit of the match, knocks your
opponent’s head clean off, and is the
same for all fighters. The second is
unique to each character. For both
versions, certain criteria have to be
met, but finishing your game with a
Brutality is still incredibly satisfying.
There’s no denying the quality
underpinning every move-set
and animation; and the visualsshort
cutWHAT IS IT?
The latest instalment
of the infamously
violent fighting game.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The most visually
intense and
beautifully crafted 2D
fighter yet.
WHO’S IT FOR?
Mortal Kombat fans,
fans of fighting
games, and those
with a strong
stomach. Don’t let
your kids play it.LEFT Icy ninja
Frost has been
given a
cybernetic
rework, courtesy
of Kronika.