While the "Mortal Kombat" franchise has had a major hold on the gaming industry for a long time, it took me quite some time to actually play it. It helps that I didn't really play more "adult" games until I was in high school (starting around 2012), so I wasn't really able to jump into the series until "Mortal Kombat X" in 2015. I will say, though, that I greatly enjoyed that game, as it came right as I was starting to play fighting games a lot more. While I've always been a "Super Smash Bros." player, that game's increased eSports presence made me interested in trying out other fighters, and "Mortal Kombat" was obviously one of the biggest. My love of "Mortal Kombat X" made me excited for "Mortal Kombat 11," and I played a solid bit of it on the PlayStation with my brother. With its recent Game Pass release, I decided to jump back and play through the story mode. While the game didn't hit me on the same level as "Mortal Kombat X," that's not to say I didn't enjoy my time with it.
"Mortal Kombat 11" serves as another strong entry in this iconic fighting game franchise. While the story mode is as over the top as you would expect, I think it works for the game in regards to making something extremely bombastic and bold. It holds nothing back, and that's what makes it so appealing. The graphics are also fantastic, and the insane attention to detail that goes into the insane deaths and brutality is something I can't even imagine being in the studio making. Gameplay-wise, this is another solid set of fighting, with a bevy of fun characters and great mechanics that make the game as deep as you would expect. There's a very diverse lineup of additions to the game that make them all worth trying out on your own. And the large addition of DLC characters from classic franchises (including film franchises) makes this quite a unique crossover. I also appreciate the increased amount of features for single-player gameplay, between the main story as well as the Towers of Time mode, making the game great to play whether you are going solo or joined by others.
I did have a few issues with the game that held it back for me. Personally, I couldn't get past the slower combat system in comparison to "Mortal Kombat X." I understand how more competitive players could enjoy it, and how it emphasizes footsies a lot more, but it often became hard for me to work with. Also, I do agree with the notion that the emphasis on grinding, as well as the always-online component, can be a bit annoying.
Overall, "Mortal Kombat 11" might be a step back from "Mortal Kombat X," but that's more of a testament to how much I enjoyed that game. This is still a very well-made fighter with plenty of replayability and content that will leave you satisfied for a long time. The addition of some great DLC characters across well-known franchises also makes this worth trying. Plus, with its recent Game Pass release, as well as the next-gen version being available, there are more ways than ever to give it a try if you haven't already.
Final rating: 8 out of 10 "Great"