January 26, 2011 -- The Official UK Xbox Magazine has a brand new Mortal Kombat preview online, featuring six unseen screenshots that show-off both fighters' dynamic move stances, as well as the material repercussions delt to their state of dress!

The preview, free to read at OXM.co.uk, makes cultural note of some of the proportionate peculiarities of of MK's fighting femme fatales, but is mostly generous in it's assessment of the series' latest installment. Of particular interest, the specials bar that controls players' access to upgraded special moves, combo breakers, and the already trademark X-Ray attacks, which show more complexity than a mere brute force body blow.

More interesting is what happens at the second stage. Hit the trigger at that point while you're being wailed on and you'll be able to stop any offensive combination dead. Given that the combo system is more accessible and flexible than it was in previous games, this is likely to come in handy.

Finally, once it's topped up, you get access to those miniature fatalities that are the X-Ray moves. While they won't finish your opponent off, they're satisfying, showstopper attacks that look like they cause genuine, medically accurate harm.

They're by no means an instant win button, though. X-Ray moves come in different flavours. Some must be pulled off while in close proximity to your opponent while others, such as Sektor's rocket attack, are projectiles that can connect from a distance.

This glowing emphasis on Mortal Kombat's revised fighting engine comes on the back of announcement that the game will be included in the line-up of the 2011 Evo Championship!
A feat rarely glimpsed by the long running American franchise; including in the pro Evo tournament circuit indicates the ultimate compliment to NetherRealm Studios' efforts to inject depth into the mechanics of the game.

OXM don't appear to be any more clued in to the mysterious time warping storyline of the game, which was connected to an unfortunate turn of events at the end of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, during early announcements by NetherRealm Studios. The recent reveal of the Official Prima Strategy Guide [full story] did, however, reiterate Raiden's intent to meddle in events set during the first tournament and beyond, with suggestion the series canon may incur permanent changes.

There has been no word about the inclusion of a Microsoft system exclusive, which would play counterpart to Sony's inclusion of Kratos as a bonus character [full story]. Read the full Xbox preview article at OXM.co.uk. Mortal Kombat will be released April 19 for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Both consoles offer standard and kollector's special editions of the game.

Thanks to queve for word on this preview. If you think you have MK news for Mortal Kombat Online, be sure to let us know using the submission form. You can also follow MKO on Twitter for updates direct to your person, @MK_Online!