Mortal Kombat X Review: Kombat Lives On

Game Reviewed: Mortal Kombat X

Release Date: April 14th, 2015

Developer: NetherRealm Studios

Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Platform: [Reviewed: PlayStation 4] Xbox One, PC

Genre: Fighting

Rating: M for Mature

Straight to it, Mortal Kombat is hands down the greatest of the entire series. Even without the addition of Voorhees and Predator, the core game itself pushes the boundaries of the franchise to a level beyond itself. The goriest and most brutal fighting game to date has arrived.

The only game that stands out as straight forward in terms to combat is Tao Feng, which is also ironically from the co-creators of Mortal Kombat. Everything has received an overhaul as X-Ray moves are the new fatalities and the fatalities are more like brutalities, causing players to cringe with disgust and happiness simultaneously.

Mortal Kombat focuses on a few new methods that we’ve seen in Injustice Gods Among Us and new fighting variations for each character. Similar to MK9 you’re still able to perform X-Rays, special attacks and break combo’s with the help of the X-Ray meter. However in MKX you can work around stages with the help of your environment, whether you’re evading a corner, leaping off objects, throwing objects or even a nice old lady at the wrong place at the wrong time.

For players the true signature for Mortal Kombat is hearing Shao Khan’s voice scream “Finish Him!” It’s even more of an adrenaline rush to successfully pull off your player’s fatality, embodying the catch phrase “Who’s Next?” With all said, performing or receiving fatalities in Mortal Kombat X is breath taking, literally and psychically.

You’ll find in MKX that not all fatalities are too complicated. Some finishers are able to be performed by simply utilizing the directional pad rather than a particular string of directions and buttons.  Throughout the story, Living Towers and buy simply making a microtransaction you can earn/buy “easy fatalities” allowing you to perform finishers with the simple press of a button. To some this may be an extremely cheap way to Kombat while to new comers it’s simply baby steps to embracing the Neatherealm.

Motal Kombat X story continues, but this time not by way of tournament. The Kombatants of the Earthrealm to help stop the elder gods from seeking claim over the Earth. And though you have the opportunity to play as the iconic characters of Mortal Kombat: Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, Scorpion and more, the story focuses more on the next generation and offspring characters Cassie Cage, Kung Jin and a few others.

One will truly appreciate the story mode as you will find yourself seeing or engaging against the fallen Kombatants such as Sindel and Stryker just to name a few.

Towers challenge also makes its return in the newly titled Living towers. Living Towers is a revamp of the old arcade mode that once was the MK tournament, opening new modes such as Test Your Luck, Klassic Towers and other challenge towers some of which you may even find yourself partaking as an iconic guest character.

Koins are earned your entire duration of Kombat, regardless of which mode and if it’s a win or loss. As you earn koins, you’re able to unlock fan art, new combos, fatalities, brutalities, costumes and more at the Krypt.

Mortal Kombat isn’t a decision, it’s a must have! If you’re looking for “the” best fighting game you can possibly play, look no further than Mortal Kombat X. It’s the smoothest addition to the franchise that’s proven to continuously evolve of the years. Thanks to NetherRealm Studios, the legacy continues.

Gameplay: 4.75/5

Visuals: 5/5

Controls: 4.5/5

Audio:  5/5

Replayability: 4.5/5

Overall Rating: 4.75/5