“You’re next,” according to the tagline of the latest iteration of Mortal Kombat named Mortal Kombat 11. The original one was released in 1992 and has been a long-running series ever since. That doesn’t mean it didn’t have controversy, though.
The original game on the arcades depicted decapitation and the removal of hearts by pulling them out. The game was a focal point of parents and governmental figures alike. This is what made the ESRB, or Entertainment Software Rating Board, that gives games ratings like E or M. Mortal Kombat has always been known for its violence and I think that’s what separates it from the other fighting games on the market.
Mortal Kombat 11 brings classic characters back like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Johnny Cage, Jax, and Kitana. It also brings new characters like The Kollecter, Geras, and Cetrion. The game also has paid DLC, or downloadable content, that allow you to play as characters such as The Terminator, Spawn, The Joker, and even Robocop, who is voiced by Peter Weller himself. The game has simple attacks that you can perform and special moves that require special inputs. You can even amplify them to make the special moves better with the cost of one bar of meter. Matches normally last about 3 minutes and players fight until one person’s health is depleted to zero. There are objects on the stages that you fight on that you can use to cause damage. At the end of a match, the victor gets a chance to perform a Fatality, or a finishing move. These are often very bloody and most aren’t for the faint of heart.
It’s genuinely a good game with an amazing story mode and amazing gameplay. I’ve personally had a ton of fun with my friends and I recommend giving it a try. I give it an 8/10.