The relaunch of the well-known fighting game, Mortal Kombat 1, has made aficionados of the genre quite excited. A recent test allowed pre-orderers and a chosen few to see firsthand what NetherRealm Studios has planned for September. Although there wasn't a lot of stuff to play, it was plenty to give me an idea of what to anticipate from the full release. These are my thoughts about Mortal Kombat 1.
Reactions to Mortal Kombat 1 Beta: A Potential Classic
I can confidently state that NetherRealm Studios has something exceptional on their hands after spending the whole weekend playing the Mortal Kombat 1 beta. I was glad to see Mortal Kombat return to its trademark brutality and gore after playing Street Fighter 6's cartoonish flair. The first's redesign is looking like a fantastic addition, and it's encouraging to see that it's staying true to its original concepts while also including some fresh, very effective ones.When you play Mortal Kombat 1, the first thing you'll notice is how exquisitely made the characters and venues are. It is pleasing to see that this game, which is the first in the series to use next-generation systems, does not let down. For a visual game like this one, the good graphics are extremely crucial since they make the game seem more lifelike than it did.
Kameos and Fighting Styles
During my beta game, I experimented with every character that was accessible, including Johnny Cage, Liu Kang, Kenshi, Kitana, Sub-Zero, and Li Mei. Even while each character has a distinct playstyle and amazing design, not every player will find happiness with them all. Certain playstyles are tailored to accommodate players with varying tastes, such as those who like a rapid moveset or a heavy hitter. Although I believe Kenshi's animation may need a little bit more speed, every character felt fantastic.With the introduction of Kameos, a new mechanic in Mortal Kombat 1, playstyles are pushed even further. The best parts of the game are in kameos, where you may make combinations with background figures serving as side characters. Mortal Kombat 10 and 11 didn't always allow for such amazing combinations between your basic character and Kameo.When done properly, kameos feel incredible. I had a great sense of satisfaction when I used my ice as Sub-Zero to freeze my opponent and when Kano entered next and eliminated him with a laser beam. This is only an illustration of every combination that may be created by skillfully combining the two characters. Even though you're the only one managing both, the Kameo mechanism gives you the impression that you're operating as a team.In terms of fairness, it seems like Mortal Kombat 1 is aiming for more accessibility while also taking a more difficult path. Allow me to clarify. Some sequences are so difficult to execute that they were giving my fingers cramps. However, this becomes equitable when you can use the one button on your Kameo to deliver a powerful punch. This lessens the intensity of battles and allows you to recover more quickly in the event that you err and are unable to complete a challenging combination using the analog stick or d-pad.
Fatalities That Will Turn Your Stomach
"Complete Him!" The brutality of these deaths is on par with, if not more so than, previous posts; these words have never sounded so lovely. Even though each character in the beta only had one Finishing move, they were all really entertaining to watch, even if some of them made me feel rather sick. What has made this genre so fascinating is pulling off these last techniques to put a dent in your opponent's face, and Mortal Kombat 1 retains every bit of that entertainment value.One drawback of these Finishers is that they required more skill to perform than other Mortal Kombat moves since there was no visual cue to inform you how near or far away from your opponent you needed to be to use them effectively. I thought this was a guessing and remembering game since the tutorial didn't disclose anything. All in all, this is a little quibble that can be resolved with easy with a patch and with the publication of the final version in September.Concluding RemarksI had a great experience playing the Mortal Kombat 1 beta overall. As I mix and match characters with other Kameos, I'm eager to see how the entire roster feels in-game and what vicious combinations I can come up with. Kameos are a great addition, the action is fluid, fatalities look amazing, and it is really entertaining to play. I honestly think that NetherRealm Studios is going to have a smash game out in September, and even those who aren't usually lovers of the "fighting genre" in video games should give it a try.