Mortal Kombat X: New faces, more blood n' guts

Gory 2D fighter “Mortal Kombat” is experiencing a resurgence of late, mainly thanks to 2011’s “Mortal Kombat 9”, which served as an excellent reboot of the franchise. And while everybody was positively floored by the recent announcement of its sequel, “Mortal Kombat X”, few will be prepared for the new changes co-creator Ed Boon et al have planned for the tenth entry into one of video gaming’s most beloved series.

 

Though not much detail has been revealed regarding the story, it seems “Mortal Kombat X” takes place 25 years after “Mortal Kombat 9”, and will feature, in Boon’s own words, “the next generation of fighters.”

 

 

New blood

 

Because everybody loves new characters, it stands to reason to discuss the latest additions to “Mortal Kombat’s” expansive roster first.

 

So far, four new characters have been revealed. Or should we say four and a half?

 

The first character is actually two entities in one – a first in this series, and a rarity in fighting games in general. Ferra/Torr consists of a diminutive female (the former) riding upon the back of a huge, orc-like brute (the latter). Theirs is a most interesting dynamic, mostly involving Torr tossing Ferra around like a living weapon. It’s pretty obvious who’s the brains in this duo, and who’s the mindless, shambling instrument of destruction. But who wouldn’t be driven out of their mind with Ferra’s annoying, high-pitched voice constantly drilling orders into your ears?

 

 

The second character is a genuinely creepy humanoid wasp thing named D’Vorah. An agile fighter who can run up walls, she has a variety of insect-themed attacks at her disposal. For instance, she can impale enemies with long, exoskeletal limbs, which strike at dizzying speeds and then retract into her body just as quickly. How and where she hides those things, no one knows.

 

Then we have the bubblegum-chewing Cassie Cage, who has inherited the cockiness of her father, Johnny Cage, and the intensity of her mother, Sonya Blade. Her get-up is vaguely reminiscent of Solid Snake’s, down to the grey skin suit and various weapon holsters. It’s appropriate given her mother’s former line of work. Unlike her mother, however, Cassie brings her guns to the fight.

 

Lastly, there is Kotal Kahn, an intimidating demigod with an Aztec motif. How he is related to series villain Shao Kahn is unclear at the moment.

 

 

“We’re taking an aggressive approach with new characters,” said Boon. “We’re going to introduce a number of new ones. It’s going to be a really very different experience.”

 

He added: “It’s hard because there’s 60-something characters in the MK universe to choose from. But we made a choice to have a good representation of new characters.”

 

The visual design of the new characters will focus on “simplicity and elegance.”

 

“We didn’t want to get too complex (with their design),” he said. “We wanted big variance in materials (and) really wanted to get leather, cloth, worn out materials in there.”

 

It is also refreshing to see that the three (or two and a half) women revealed so far do not resemble the skimpy bikini models or ninja strippers like some characters of previous “Mortal Kombat” games did.

 

“When I look back on MK9, I think we turned the dial a little too high with the female anatomy and stuff like that,” said Boon.

 

Of course, Scorpion and Sub-Zero will be returning, as they should be, given they are the Ryu and Ken of the series.

 

It is unclear how large the final roster will be, but recent demos seem to hint at 24 characters – 72, if you take into account that there are three versions of each character.

 

Three different fighting styles per character

 

“Mortal Kombat X” will retain many of the mechanics that have become synonymous with the series, such as fatalities and the block button, and those that were introduced in “Mortal Kombat 9”, such as the bone-crunching X-ray moves, enhanced special moves, and breakers.

 

“A lot worked in MK9 and we certainly don’t want to throw all that just out to throw it out,” Boon told Polygon. “We have a great foundation of what worked with the game and we’re layering something new on top.”

 

“Mortal Kombat X” offers a new feature—several unique fighting styles for each character.

 

This time, there will be three variations per character, and only one can be selected at a time during character select. For example, one version of Scorpion allows him to immolate himself, which damages enemies when they get too close. Another gives him the ability to summon a dive-kicking, leg-grabbing demon.

 

D’Vorah can choose between lacing her attacks with poison, and using larvae as projectiles. In one of Ferra/Torr’s versions, Ferra can even sit the fight out, urging her beast on from the sidelines. Kotal Khan can call down a persistent shaft of sunlight that heals him but damages opponents, or he can choose totems that provide buffs.

 

Each variation will be visually represented in subtle ways. Cassie’s “Spec Ops” style has her wearing an earpiece that allows her to call in utterly cheap airstrikes. Her “Hollywood” style, which makes her the bane of all men thanks to the “Nut Kracker” move, has her donning stylish shades like her father.

 

With three movelist variations per character, Boon hopes to add more depth to the game’s fighting system. Picking the right version of a character for a particular fight will now demand more strategy than before.

 

For the development team, it also means a more challenging time balancing the roster.

 

“We’re going to have tons of (competitive players) coming in and just hammering on the game,” Boon explained. “We have so many more variables in the mix, we need to get those guys in as much as possible. It’s great to have this big canvas, but we want have it balanced.”

 

More changes

 

“Mortal Kombat X” will include environments that can be interacted with. Characters can swing from tree branches, throw barrels at opponents, or jump off tents.

 

A stamina meter will prevent players from abusing certain actions, however. Though performing certain moves (such as running forward and dashing) and interacting with background objects will deplete it, the meter also recharges over time.

 

 

The game’s speed will also be faster, and the animations more fluid, perhaps all in an attempt to move away from the stiff, almost robotic feel of its predecessors.

 

“Mortal Kombat X” is, of course, far from finished. Still in development is its online feature, details of which both developer NetherRealm Studios and publisher Warner Bros. will reveal some time in the near future.

 

“It’s an online game that everybody who owns the game is participating in,” said Boon. “It’s something that’s going to be a huge community push. We want everybody to care about this meta-game. You’re going to want to do your part, because there are perks to doing well. And there are… not necessarily punishments, but the fact that you don’t get those perks is kind of ... well you’re going to want to do well.” — TJD, GMA News