Mortal Kombat 11

It doesn't have the same impact as the 2011 soft reboot, but it's definitely the best Mortal Kombat experience possible both in terms of atmosphere, character design, direction, and gameplay. Combat got incredibly fluid and the graphic upgrade is obvious especially in the environments. Mortal Kombat X's plot and roaster was not my cup of tea with all those new kids taking lead, but they found a way (excuse) to fix things and bring back fan-favorite fighters once more. Customization content is massive, but unfortunately needs to be unlocked by grinding which makes the experience a little frustrating. I liked walking around the Krypt and unlocking contents to a certain extent but I am not planning to spend all my limited free time on this game.

The fact this runs at 60fps is hilarious like talk about cheese grating, the characters look deeply uncanny and ill with how downgraded they were. The crypt as well, oh my god. N64 fog is making a comeback if MK11 is any indication. Also what's the point of a portable version if almost all the content in the game is locked behind an internet connection. You can't even do the tutorial without an internet connection. What.

While I still have to play X which I know I’ll get round to soon, I adored the ninth instalment despite lacking in playtime (I only clocked in a couple days worth before giving it to a family member, they had their Xbox up and running after all and mine has just perished lol), and I’ve had my fair share of fun playing the various other instalments throughout the years, some entries I absolutely adore (The ever-so-underrated Deadly Alliance; Shaolin Monks, etc.), to me Mortal Kombat 11 is possibly, probably my fave MK game yet. The fluid, slick combat and brilliant as ever fighting mechanics coupled with actually great graphics and a brutal roster alone makes for a terrific game, great job I say! But the actual characters they’ve included, Spawn? My main man! And Terminator and Rambo? This is excellent. I’m even playing as I write this (taking a quick break from going as Joker wrecking Rain. But wait, I did hope for Quan Chi to somehow make an appearance as a game roster playable, or be included game roster DLC at a later date. Nevertheless, I am more than content with this game. The atmosphere, characters, all modes, everything is a blast. A joyous occasion any night you play the eleventh MK. Superb quality. The game looks fantastic, the fighting is as bloody and brilliantly executed as ever, if there’s a fatality in need of being played and unleashed, it is this game right here.

The story mode on offer is in between MK9 and MK10 in terms of writing and interest, cleverly critiquing some of the writing badness of 9 but relenting on its interesting premise more than 10. The concept of the stupid time travel story is a bit under-explained because the heroes get to come back as well as the villains, counter to Kronika's plans, but the 75% mark onwards does get a lot more interesting with it. Overall the pace isn't where I want it to be but it's still thoroughly entertaining.

Unfortunately, once that's done, the single player content on offer is just mind rending. The progression system doesn't allow for speed or choice in customisation, which makes any prospect of meaningful progression distant, and the arcade towers are just bullshit. It strips back the passion of the actual fighting, some of the best in the series.