Mortal Kombat 11 Review

Mortal Kombat has remained one of the premier fighting series ever since its introduction in 1992. While the likes of Street Fighter and Tekken have come and gone, MK has remained strong for decades. Mortal Kombat 11 is the latest title of this world-famous property. With it comes many of the things that fans love, including the overblown violence and outlandish characters. However, this latest game also has a lot to get right considering the success of recent entries.

Story

Fighting games are well known for their over-the-top stories. Oftentimes, the plots in the genre are comically silly. They also generally soon grow out of control with the sheer number of new installments. Mortal Kombat is no exception to this rule. In fact, the franchise might have one of the most bombastic and bizarre plots of any fighting game. Yet, it is something that longtime fans have fully embraced and expect with each new entry.

In Mortal Kombat 11, a corrupted Raiden has decided to rid Earth of all its enemies. He executes Shinnok following his defeat in the last game, beheading him as a warning to other conquerors. The goddess Kronika takes exception to this and uses her ability to manipulate time to undo Raiden’s actions. Establishing allies with other villains, she begins a plot to set time back permanently.

If all that sounds overly complicated then that is because it is so. The bizarre twists and complex events are a necessary mechanic. So many characters have been killed off in previous games that this ridiculous narrative is the only way to bring them back. Despite this, the story manages to be a fun and enjoyable ride. Don’t expect nuanced writing but the plot is a thrilling way to set the scene for the battles.