GAME REVIEW: Blood, guts, and glory in Mortal Kombat X

The “Mortal Kombat” franchise owes its success to a combination of two factors: its unrepentant embrace of our darker nature, and an inherent ridiculousness to remind us that, as gruesome as these games are, they’re all just a product of twisted whimsy.

 

“Mortal Kombat X” follows this formula to a tee. It’s gratuitously bloody, but it also catapults the violence to such ludicrous heights that it’s impossible to take any of it seriously. Few games can have you wincing in revulsion one second, and laughing uproariously the next.

 

But “Mortal Kombat X” is more than just the gore and the giggles; it’s a fast-paced fighter that’s as accessible as it is intricate, with enough variety to keep you punching those buttons for months on end.

 

 

Generations

 

It has been over two decades since the defeat of Shao Kahn, but the realms have yet to know true peace. Outworld is embroiled in civil war. With most of Earthrealm’s heroes dead, Johnny Cage turns to the next generation of fighters to put an end to the strife. But something more sinister is afoot. Dark forces are aligning to restore an ancient evil to power, and should they succeed, it could destroy everything the good have bled and died for.

 

Like its predecessor, “Mortal Kombat X” seamlessly interweaves storytelling with breathtaking combat. Its 12 chapters have you assuming the roles of the campaign’s major players, allowing you to see events unfold through their eyes, and training you in the minutiae of the game’s mechanics.

 

The script borders on cheesy, and the four-hour story itself lacks the ingenuity of its predecessor’s. Still, it’s a lot of fun, thanks to an outrageous mix of sci-fi and kung fu action. There’s even some decent character development thrown in there, along with a couple of sensitive moments. The detailed, interactive story mode is arguably the franchise’s most important contribution to fighting games, and in this aspect, “Mortal Kombat X” outshines all others in the genre.

 

But no one plays “Mortal Kombat” for its story alone. Thankfully, “Mortal Kombat X’s” fighting system is as magnificent as teased by all those trailers.

 

 

New blood

 

The fighting blueprint we saw in 2011’s “Mortal Kombat” is polished to near-perfection in “Mortal Kombat X.” Character movements are faster and more fluid than in previous iterations, while the dial-a-combo system makes chaining together mix ups a cinch. Grisly anatomy lessons are back courtesy of the bone-crunching X-Ray attacks, while the Fatalities are more sickening (and more darkly comedic) than ever. Making a comeback are Brutalities, which are basically “softer” Fatalities that, to be performed, require certain conditions to be met during the match.

 

Borrowing from “Injustice,” the environments in “Mortal Kombat X” also feature interactive elements. The elderly civilian in the background? You can grab her and use her as a missile. You can vault off walls or swing from vines, getting you out of tight spots safely and quickly.

 

Combined, these mechanics ensure “Mortal Kombat X” is as intense as it is methodical, rewarding aggressiveness and the timely exploitation of opportunities.

 

But the best thing about “Mortal Kombat X” is its character roster, which offers a wonderful mix of old and new blood. The next generation of fighters is representative of the bold new direction NetherRealm Studios is taking the franchise. Fortunately, the risk pays off; the eight newcomers are excellently designed, both aesthetically, and with respect to the variety they bring to the table. Standouts include warrior emperor Kotal Khan, bow-wielding Kung Jin, gunslinger Erron Black, and the high-tech ninja, Takeda. Speaking of aesthetics, it’s nice to see that greater effort was put into making the women look less like ninja strippers and more like warriors expecting a duel to the death.

 

24 seems a modest number for a total character count. That is, until you take into consideration that each character has three distinct Variations, or fighting styles, to select from. The implementation of the Variation system is a stroke of genius; not only does it reinvigorate classic fighters, it also opens doors to diverse strategies. Want Scorpion with some potent zoning options? His Hellfire Variation allows him to hurl fireballs. Prefer the carnage up-close and personal? Ninjutsu gives him two swords for some ninja-style butchering.

 

 

Slaughter in its various forms

 

“Mortal Kombat X” provides a wealth of modes. Challenge Towers inserts unusual modifiers into matches, such as seesawing floors, freezing rain, and narcolepsy. Living Towers does the same, except the conditions change with time.

 

Faction Wars turns “Mortal Kombat X” into a community, motivating players not only to play for themselves, but for their team. The game prompts you to select one of five groups, ranging from Sub-Zero’s Lin Kuei to Kano ’s Black Dragon. Your online and offline activities contribute points to your chosen faction. If, at the end of the week, a global tally puts your faction at top spot, your community receives a reward.

 

The Krypt allows you to spend Koins you’ve collected from fighting to unlock concept art, costumes, Fatalities, Brutalities, and more. This time, however, it takes the form of an amusing, first-person dungeon crawler. It feels very much like a mini-RPG, complete with monsters and secret areas that can be accessed using special items.

 

Multiplayer includes the basic one-on-one and team matches as well as King of the Hill, where up to eight players can watch fights and compete against each other. Depending on the competence of your internet connection, lag issues will crop up every now and then, as will the occasional crash. Still, it’s a robust mode that’ll encourage deep competition and months of furious brawling.

 

Gruesomely beautiful

 

“Mortal Kombat X” is by far one of the best-looking games on current generation consoles. The backgrounds are rich in detail. The character models are just as wonderful, though the texturing quality isn’t the same across the board. Shinnok is particularly well done; you could lose yourself in the deep, majestic crevices of his craggy face for days. On the other hand, Sonya Blade, who should be in her late 40s, has the glowing, creamy complexion of a 20-year-old. Maybe it’s just those regular Botox sessions?

 

And of course, the violence is as over-the-top as you can imagine. Spines are broken, eyes gouged out, squishy brains sliced and diced. You will feel every splintered bone, every disembowelment. Characters bleed by the gallon, and as the battle ensues, you’ll see persistent wounds and even sweat on the models.

 

Take all this with the spectacular sound design, and the game achieves a cinematic caliber, making “Mortal Kombat X” as fun to watch as it is to play.

 

 

Guts and glory

 

While easy to pick up, the latest entry in the iconic “Mortal Kombat” franchise possesses a complexity that’ll please hardcore players. It’s confident in its absurdity, fusing together martial arts mysticism, high-tech military lunacy, and inhuman levels of bloodletting without even blinking. Add to these a darkly charming story, a wealth of content, and a rock-solid character roster, and “Mortal Kombat X” exemplifies the glorious experience that all fighting games should aspire to be. — TJD, GMA News