Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)

Mortal Kombat is the title for the 9th fighting game in the Mortal Kombat series, developed by the newly named NetherRealm Studios (formerly Midway).

The game was first hinted at by developer Ed Boon on January 2009, shortly after the release of the previous game in the franchise, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.

On June 18, 2009, Boon confirmed in his Twitter page that they were performing motion capture for the game.

He also revealed that the game is not related to the Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe game, and that they were again aiming for a "Mature" rating, contrarily to the "Teen" rating attained by the previous game.

Plot
The story retells the events of the original trilogy, in an new timeline where Raiden receives a message from himself in the prime future where Armageddon has happened and Shao Kahn became the supreme leader of all the realms. Because of this plot, characters and scenarios present are the classic ones, bringing the old back to new and starting a new conflict. Raiden tries to keep things from changing as his future self explains them. He prevents Human Smoke becoming a cyborg, attempts to prevent Noob Saibot's creation, Liu Kang from winning Mortal Kombat 3 (as well as killing him), Johnny Cage and Sonya Blades' deaths, and eventually the end of this plot is similar to the preminitions.

Chapters
The story mode of Mortal Kombat is told in 16 chapters, with one character being playable in each chapter. The order of the chapters are listed below.

1. Johnny Cage

2. Sonya Blade

3. Scorpion

4. Cyrax

5. Liu Kang

6. Jax Briggs

7. Smoke

8. Sub-Zero

9. Kitana

10. Jade

11. Kung Lao (Though the final fight in this chapter you play as Liu Kang)

12. Stryker

13. Kabal

14. Cyber Sub-Zero

15. Nightwolf

16. Raiden

thumb|300px|right|The Opening Cinematic to MK 9

Gameplay
The normal blows have changed a lot, instead of having a few punches and kicks divided between high and low, now there's a button for each limb: front arm, front leg, back arm, and back leg. This combines with most martial arts techniques. The player also can make many special moves and execute them without much effort. Also added with new gameplay is the intro and outro animations. Each character will have a different intro and outro, depending if they decided to do a fatality or not.

The controls also refer a lot to Mortal Kombat 3, with the clash limited to a single plane, the fastest pace of struggle, many movements that throw the opponent into the air, and several others that take advantage of aerial combat. The "run" button will not come back, but there will be a quick dash and paste to the player's opponent and inflict even more damage if they're quick in getting their combo. Also out is the infamous system "dial-a-Kombo", which was introduced in MK3 and used pre-defined sequences of buttons to execute "ready" combos. The combos are more akin to those found in MK1 and MKII, consisting largely of chaining regular attacks and special moves together. In the words of Ed Boon: "You're making your own combos. We aren't programming them in as much". This brings a lot of freedom to play and with the speed of return, as it is very easy to improvise a few effective beatings.

Another welcome return are the "real" Fatalities. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon used the infamous Kreate-a-fatality and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe used far less violent versions of the finishers. Now violence is back with great pride, this time the team began creating the game for fatalities, an element that was before the end of the development cycle. From this process emerged ideas how to combine fatalities, "before, Kung Lao had a fatality in which he cut a guy in half and another in which he beheaded a person, now he has one where he does both," claims Ed Boon in an interview with Giant Bomb. Surprisingly, Babalities have also returned from MK 3.thumb|300px|right|Babalities are back!

One new feature that has drawn much attention and keeps very well the climate of brutality is the introduction of X-Ray Attacks. With them, the player can see the internal damage caused by the blows on the opponent. The player must wait until their special bar is full before they can use the X-Ray moves for their fighter and this is not necessary to use combo breakers or versions of the thumb|300px|right|Stage Fatalitiesspecial powers that cause more damage, since both use their special abilities bar. There is also distinct damage done to the characters during the matches.

The game will feature three different one player modes: Story Mode, in which the player assumes the role of several different pre-designated characters and the main plot is told; a tournament ladder reminiscent of the earlier MK games which features a sub-boss, boss, and animated ending for each character; and a training mode which allows players to hone their skills with their chosen character.

Mortal Kombat will also include several mini-games, like the classic Test Your Might, and Test Your Sight, as well as the new Test Your Strike and Test Your Luck. The game also includes a massive 300 mission challenge in a new mode called The Challenge Tower.

Also recently announced is the Fatality Practice Mode, where the button combinations for the Fatality are shown above, and a green square on the ground indicates the correct distance for the Fatality to work. If the player moves away from the square, it turns red, indicating that the Fatality will not be executed.

An online feature called King of the Hill, is a spectator view, in it observers are given the ability to interact directly with those currently engaged in battle.

It seems that NetherRealm studios are going to take advantage of the PS3 custom soundtrack feature. It will allow players to listen to the music they want while playing the game.

Confirmed Characters
The game features 28 playable characters for Playstation 3 users, and 27 playable characters for Xbox 360, in addition to an unknown number of downloadable (DLC) characters, 3 unplayable bosses, and hidden characters. Cyber Sub-Zero is unlocked upon completing chapter thirteen in the Story Mode, and Quan Chi is unlocked upon completing the Story Mode 100%.
 * 1) Baraka
 * 2) Cyber Sub-Zero
 * 3) Cyrax
 * 4) Ermac
 * 5) Jade
 * 6) Jax Briggs
 * 7) Johnny Cage
 * 8) Kabal
 * 9) Kano
 * 10) Kitana
 * 11) Kratos (Playstation 3 exclusive)
 * 12) Kung Lao
 * 13) Kurtis Stryker
 * 14) Liu Kang
 * 15) Mileena
 * 16) Nightwolf
 * 17) Noob Saibot
 * 18) Quan Chi
 * 19) Raiden
 * 20) Reptile
 * 21) Scorpion
 * 22) Sektor
 * 23) Shang Tsung
 * 24) Sheeva
 * 25) Sindel
 * 26) Smoke
 * 27) Sonya Blade
 * 28) Sub-Zero

The following characters are non-playable bosses:
 * 1) Goro
 * 2) Kintaro
 * 3) Shao Kahn

The following characters appear in secret battles in Arcade mode when certain requirements are met:
 * 1) MK1 Reptile
 * 2) MK2 Smoke
 * 3) UMK3 Jade
 * 4) MK2 Noob Saibot

The following characters have been confirmed as DLC characters:
 * 1) Kenshi
 * 2) Lady in Red - she was a rumored red ninja from Mortal Kombat II. She is now a new DLC playable character.


 * On January 10, 2011, Ed Boon updated his Twitter asking for fans to weigh in on which characters they'd like to see as DLC: "Seriously guys. Tell me your order of preference for a DLC character. Rain, Shinnok, Kenshi, Robo-smoke, or new character?" "Ooops...forgot one. Or Tanya. "

Cameo Appearances
Throughout the trailers and the promotional images, numerous, unconfirmed characters were seen in the background of certain arenas.
 * Daegon, Kenshi, Reiko, Frost, and Sareena are shown fighting in the background of the Pit II stage.
 * Kira, Li Mei, Tanya, Kitana, and "The Lady in Red" are shown chained in Shao Kahn's Arena.
 * Rain, Shinnok, Shadow Priest, an unknown male character and occasionally Classic Noob Saibot are shown looking over Meat on The Cathedral stage.
 * Goro on his throne.
 * Shao Kahn on his throne.
 * Shang Tsung (Elder Form) on his throne.
 * Shadow Priest at the Soul Chamber.
 * A broken rock statue of Sindel's head and hand can be seen in the background of Jade's Desert stage lying in the sand (Screenshot below in Gallery)
 * The rock statues of Goro, Baraka, Kano, Rain and Reiko can be seen in the background of Shang Tsung's Gardens.
 * Motaro, Khameleon, Classic Smoke and Shinnok appear in a couple of cutscenes during storymode but not as opponents or playable characters.
 * Classic Smoke sometimes peeks out behind the trees in the Living Forest.
 * The original version of Cyrax can be seen still stuck in the sand in Jade's Desert stage, to the far left of the stage.
 * Bo' Rai Cho, Kenshi, Zombie Liu Kang, Hotaru, Li Mei, and Shinnok's Giant Skull Hands are featured at the beginning of the Story Mode
 * Onaga and Taven are seen when Raiden sends a message to his past self.
 * Two Masked Guards are shown in The Courtyard.
 * Kenshi and Reiko were named after the younger Sub-Zero got captured by the Lin Kuei.
 * Bo' Rai Cho's name was mentioned during Story Mode, and in Shang Tsung's ladder arcade ending.

Confirmed Arenas

 * 1) The Armory
 * 2) The Bell Tower
 * 3) The Cathedral
 * 4) The Courtyard
 * 5) Dead Pool (Stage Fatality)
 * 6) The Tower
 * 7) Goro's Lair
 * 8) The Graveyard
 * 9) Kahn's Colosseum
 * 10) Chamber of the Flame (Playstation 3 exclusive) (3 Stage Fatalities)
 * 11) The Living Forest (Stage Fatality)
 * 12) The Desert
 * 13) Hell (Stage Fatality)
 * 14) The Pit II (Stage Fatality)
 * 15) The Pit II Bottom
 * 16) The Rooftop
 * 17) Shang Tsung's Gardens (between Pit I, Palace Gates and Warrior Shrine)
 * 18) Shang Tsung's Flesh Pits
 * 19) Shao Kahn's Throne Room
 * 20) Soul Chamber
 * 21) The Street (Stage Fatality)
 * 22) The Subway (Stage Fatality)
 * 23) Throne Room
 * 24) Training Dojo
 * 25) Wastelands of Outworld

Achievements/Trophies
The following achievements/trophies are in Mortal Kombat 2011:

Fatality!: Complete 1 Fatality

Tough Guy: Win 1 Online Match

Cold Fusion: Unlock Cyber Sub-Zero

Ultimate Humiliation: Perform every fighter's hidden finishing move

Quan Tease: Unlock Quan Chi

You've Got Style!: Unlock all Alternate Costumes

Humiliation!: Get a Flawless Victory in an Online Match

There Can Be Only One!: Win 10 King of the Hill matches in a row

Cyber Challenger: Complete 100 Online Matches

Undertaker: Unlock 50% in the Krypt

The Krypt Keeper: Unlock 100% in the Krypt

Tower Master: Complete all Tower missions

Arcade Champion: Complete Arcade Ladder with All Fighters

Cast

 * Dana Lyn Baron - Sonya Blade
 * Ronald M. Banks - Quan Chi
 * Ed Boon -
 * T.C. Carson - Kratos
 * Bob Carter -
 * Tom Choi - Liu Kang
 * Richard Epcar - Raiden
 * Jin Hyong -
 * Andrew Kishino -
 * Ken Lally - Smoke
 * Linda Lee -
 * David Lodge -
 * Jim McCance -
 * Michael McConnohie - Ermac, Kano
 * Matthew Mercer -
 * Jim Miller - Sub-Zero
 * Lani Minella - Sindel
 * Larry Omaha -
 * Rhasaan Orange -
 * Jeff Pilson -
 * Jamieson Price -
 * Gerald C. Rivers - Jax Briggs
 * Garret T. Sato - Goro, Kung Lao, Sektor, Shang Tsung
 * Patrick Seitz - Scorpion, Shao Kahn
 * Karen Strassman -
 * Marz Timms -
 * Ping Wu -

Additional Information
Midway, along with the Mortal Kombat franchise, has now since become part of Warner Bros. Many former Midway employees are now employees of Warner Bros. It was confirmed on Ed Boon's Twitter that Chameleon and Hsu Hao will not be returning for Mortal Kombat 9. There will be many other unpopular or "clone" characters not returning along with them.

On September 27, 2010 Ed Boon updated his twitter with the message ''"Sitting @ Starbucks in LA with free wifi & some time to kill. Maybe I'll sketch out some of our last fatalities & frien--- um, fatalities." ''hinting at the inclusion of friendship fatalities in the game. It has yet to be officially announced that friendships will be featured in the game, so for now it could be some playing around with the fans on Ed's part.

Keeping the thread of the Friendships, Ed Boon updated his twitter on February 13, 2011 saying "2 fatality moves and 1 move for peace. Its all for love. L.O.V.E."

However, if Friendships are indeed in the game, they have yet to be discovered.

On December 7, 2010 a leak from the official website released several audio files from the game. Those leaked files included voice overs for some confirmed and unconfirmed characters, music for arenas, and announcer voice overs (fight, finish him, fatality, etc). Among the Announcer audio files was "Announcer Brutality," However, the Brutality finisher has yet to be seen in the game.

The MK team wanted to include a exclusive Xbox character but for unknown reasons, they couldn't

Reception
PC Magazine called this iteration of Mortal Kombat one of the most anticipated titles of E3. The 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo showcase version received the Best Fighting Game of E3 and Best Stage Demo of E3 awards by GameSpot, and the Best Fighting Game of E3 award by GameTrailers. GameSpy called Mortal Kombat the "Fighting Game of Show" in their "Best of E3 2010". Game Informer also rated Mortal Kombat eighth in their "E3 Hot 50" calling Mortal Kombat "...the most violent game ever made..."

Many sites welcomed the return of the series to form: praising it not only for returning to the roots, but taking them to a totally new level.

Release
Mortal Kombat (2011) was released on April 19th in America and April 21st for Europe.

Mortal Kombat was available for pre-order in three different editions: "The Standard Edition," "The Kollector's Edition," and "The Tournament Edition." The Standard Edition consists of a copy of Mortal Kombat with no extras. The Kollector's Editions consists of a copy of Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero and Scorpion bookends, an art book, and a Klassic Ninja DLC that allows you to unlock a Klassic Costume for Ermac. The Tournament Edition is the same as the Kollectors Edition but instead of bookends and an artbook, it contains a fight stick controller. In addition, PS3 owners who purchase a copy of either Mortal Kombat or Mortal Kombat: Annihilation on Blu-Ray (which is also released April 19th) will receive a code to unlock Jade's "Klassic Kostume."

The game has been denied a classification by the Australian Classification Board, due to "violence that exceeds strong in impact." Warner Bros. appealed the decision to the Classification Review Board, but they were unsuccessful, with the board determining that "the impact of the violence in Mortal Kombat is higher than strong and thus could not be accommodated within the MA15+ classification". The game is now on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service list of prohibited items. Importing the game is illegal in Australia, with any copy found at the border being seized, and its recipient possibly receiving as much as a A$110,000 fine. The Australian Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor, who is looking to resolve the issue of a R18+ certificate for video games, has asked to be briefed on the Mortal Kombat decision, citing "public disquiet on the issue."

Demo Version
A demo version of Mortal Kombat was released on March 8 for Playstation 3 users that have PSN Plus with regular PSN users getting the demo on March 15th, with Xbox 360 not getting one before release. The demo includes Johnny Cage, Mileena, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero as selectable characters, and Living Forest and The Pit (the latter including a Stage Fatality) as arenas. The player has the option of a single-player, four character Arcade Ladder, or two player offline Versus matches. Beating the Arcade Ladder in the demo treats the player to a montage of footage from the finished game called "The Kombat Kontinues", which included moves, fatalities, and X-rays which were previously unrevealed.

Trivia

 * This is the first fighting game in the franchise to include battle intros for the characters, something that has been a mainstay in many other fighting games. However, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks had battle intros for the characters in the game's "Versus" mode, although that isn't one of the fighting games, and is classified as an adventure game.
 * The developers' first Mortal Kombat game to be made as Netherrealm Studios.
 * Although commonly listed as the first Mortal Kombat to have a tag team mode, this is not strictly true. Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition and Mortal Kombat Trilogy also had this feature, as well as Mortal Kombat Deception's double enemy stages.
 * This is the first game to show all Lin Kuei cyborgs in their human form, before the automation.
 * This is also the first time we see Sub-Zero in a cyborg form, as he was the only Lin Kuei ninja to not have a cybernetic form.
 * This is the first game Kintaro has fatalities of his own.


 * The announcer for this game is voiced by Jamieson Price, who is also the announcer for Super Street Fighter IV, therefore both rival franchises share a aesthetic element with each other.
 * In the Xbox 360 version of the game, the character select screen has 2 Cyber Sub Zero Select windows. This is because in that slot was to mean to have an exclusive character. One can only navigate to one of these Cyber Sub zero slots. The other cannot be reached, except only by another player, who thus cannot access the other slot.