There's less than a month left until the game's release, and the Mortal Kombat 1 beta, made available to those who pre-ordered the game, gives a taste of what's to come. While it doesn't feature the story mode or all of the fighters available in the video game, it does show how this soft reboot can rejuvenate the franchise in every sense of the word. NetherRealm Studios listened and found the right balance between the past and the present.
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After Mortal Kombat 11, fans were left asking the big question: What do we do now? Mortal Kombat 12 couldn't be a simple sequel. The series evolved after the 2011 soft reboot of Mortal Kombat, aka Mortal Kombat 9, by introducing new characters and deviating from the original plot. However, while these changes breathed new life into the series, they also moved away from the spirit of the original series and what made Mortal Kombat what it is. Mortal Kombat 1 goes back to basics in terms of look and feel, but with all the benefits of modernized gameplay.
A tip of the hat to the past in all the right places
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The inclusion of classic costumes from characters like Jax, Sonya Blade, and Kano is heartwarming. Sure, it's not digitized actors like before, but the character models are great throwbacks to a bygone era of the franchise. They look great on screen and are likely to evoke all the memories and excitement of long-time players of the series.
The Mortal Kombat 1 beta menu screens also feature music that pays homage to the original arcade classic. As soon as the notes sound, a smile appears, the first thought being: “That’s Mortal Kombat”.
The game does not fall into nostalgia, however. The Mortal Kombat 1 Beta incorporates a lot of what made Mortal Kombat X and 11 critically acclaimed games into their design and gameplay. The stage settings are striking and add to the atmosphere, as does the ability to choose to fight during the day or at night. It's not just a background for combat, as the stage plays a vital role in the overall feel of the game.
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Kameos and Kombos
In terms of combat mechanics, NetherRealm Studios is not reinventing the wheel in Mortal Kombat 1, but is developing a few elements. The biggest new feature: The Kameo Fighters. Like Marvel vs Capcom, this is the possibility of choosing another character to support you in the fight. Throughout the round, the main character calls for reinforcements and the kameo fighter intervenes to help him.
Although the Mortal Kombat 1 beta offers four Kaméo fighters (Sonya Blade, Kano, Frost and Jax) to test, it's Frost who stands out here. Its ability to freeze proves to be an asset in combat, while its speed makes it an indispensable ally in delicate situations. For those already thinking about spamming the Kameo Fighter button, think again: after calling a friend, there is a delay before they can return.
Mortal Kombat 1 also places emphasis on combos, particularly chain building, encouraging players to dash and pull off mega-hit combos for maximum damage. The result is a new fluidity and a new freedom in the combat mechanics to allow these combo sequences. In the beta, Johnny Cage and Li Mei are the two strongest fighters.
Cage's repertoire is comprised of fast, hard-hitting, eye-pleasing moves, combining different types of kicks, punches, shadow abilities, and good humor to form a complete package. For his part, Li Mei has the rare ability to execute powerful ranged attacks as well as impossible to defend melee combos. Although it's too early to tell, since the other characters haven't been experimented with yet, she could become the Jade of this game in the sense that players gravitate towards her due to her OP fighting style .
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Overall impression of the Mortal Kombat 1 beta
From the release of the first images, no one doubted the winning potential of the game, the track record of NetherRealm Studios speaks for itself. The Mortal Kombat 1 beta paints a promising and bloody picture of what awaits us in the full version. Speaking of blood, this might just be the bloodiest game in the series, with both players looking like Carrie White at the end of each match, not to mention the brutal (and sometimes funny) finishers. Crimson masks and splashed clothing abound!