The battles are coming thick and fast in Mortal Kombat X: the tie-in series published by DC Comics! Contending Outworld Empress Mileena finds herself face-to-face with Mortal Kombat (2011) addition Skarlet in a digital chapter 26 preview on Blastr!
Superstar comics artist Jae Lee provides an evocative cover in his usual shadowed style. Series regular Shawn Kittelsen writes, with Dexter Soy and Veronica Gandini on interior art.
Fans enjoying the presence of characters who didn't make the cut of the 2015 video game will find plenty to enjoy as newcomer Kotal Kahn battles Reiko! Plus: a new character emerges to cause mayhem!
In the age of downloadable content, what constitutes a "finished game" is fast becoming a subjective debate. Mortal Kombat X arrived three months ago, pre-loaded with the guarantee of more things to come - some free, some for a price. Day one purchases pushed Warner Brothers' model for post-release capitalism the farthest its ever gone, but the virtue of DLC offerings as developer mea culpa, or life-extending service, remains a warm embrace amidst the cold commercial cynicism.
The parade of Mortal Kombat X DLC next floats Hollywood guest character: The Predator [full story] - a presence most can agree isn't part of the standard package. More contentious amongst fans is the number of Fighting Arenas - thirteen base stages in total, down 48% from Mortal Kombat (2011)'s twenty-five (with variations).
Normalizing the notion of expanding Mortal Kombat X's interactive vistas has been Creative Director: Ed Boon. He revealed in early May that Klassic Arenas have already been discussed for downloadable content. As you might imagine, that got Mortal Kombat Online talking - crunching the klassics to come up with the Top 10 Klassic Arenas We'd Like To See Return in Mortal Kombat X! Count them down with us:
#1 The Wu Shi Academy First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002) Last Appearance: Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe (2008)
As Raiden bellowed back in 2005's action spin-off Shaolin Monks, "We must return to the Wu Shi Academy!" The centre for martial arts heroism has been with us for more than a decade: a constant presence as safe haven to Earthrealm's defenders - despite only appearing as a playable arena three times (including Shaolin Monks)! When compared to the more frequently revisited stages of MKII, it's easy to understand why this tops our "klassic" list.
Mortal Kombat X lays the klassic martial arts references on pretty thin, supplanting the usual meet-up locales with a revamped version of the story centric Sky Temple. This alone makes a return to the Wu Shi Academy all the more appealing by aesthetic contrast.
There's a certain appeal to inducting a newbie fighter like Kung Jin into the Shaolin fold with a fight on the Academy grounds, too. Raiden compels him to complete his training there during a much discussed story sequence - something we'd love to play out with the thunderer and Kung Lao in-game!
With its towering tribute statues and suspended sparring area, the Wu Shi Academy has a visual sense of grandeur that shouldn't be overlooked. The current generation of graphics could do great things with day/evening variations. and extra depth could be added to the scene with fan service references. Seeing Bo' Rai Cho stroll the surrounding gardens with students, or an onlooking cameo by the likes of Kai would help round out an overdue return to an arena with staple potential.
#2 The Living Forest First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II (1993) Last Appearance: Mortal Kombat (2011)
When it comes to truly klassic arenas, it's tough to go past The Living Forest! The simple high concept of animated trees with faces has loomed large over the series as one of its most memorable repeating backgrounds.
Over the years, we've seen the Outworld forest reinvented with improving technology, adding something slightly new each time. This evolution has taken us from the full frontal yawn of Mortal Kombat II's pixel faces -- to the fully realized, foe munching flora of Shaolin Monks and Mortal Kombat (2011).
Mortal Kombat X already has a cold, unwelcoming forest featured memorably in the first announce trailer, but The Living Forest has a character all its own. Gloomy and hostile, The Living version is inherently more active than its snowy MKX precursor, offering the chance to get more inventive with sound design, as much as visual. Stage interactions are a must, and if we can get a good Stage Brutality out of it - that'd be swell, too.
Further embellishments could really deliver a knock out punch. The Living Forest is part of a dark corner of Outworld - a realm in flux since the demise of Emperor Shao Kahn, and the civil war between Mileena and Kotal. Reflecting the violence and turmoil with some dead Osh-Tekk warriors, and a more aggressive and overgrown Living Forest could be one way to keep things fresh. Occasional cameos by a revenant Smoke or spirit Jade could be a fun referential gag to balance the grim mood of MKX, as well.
#3 The House of Pekara First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002) Last Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002)
For a series that cut its teeth (and dismembered its enemies) with spikey stage fatalities, and blood stained death arenas - tranquillity is a downright strange thing to look for. Yet, that's exactly what the House of Pekara delivered in spades, making it one of the most memorable stages of the "3D Klassic" era.
The new age splendour of nature reclaiming a church-like ruin is appealing unto itself, but at its inventive best, Deadly Alliance injected nuance over today's spectacle. The House of Pekara was made truly special with these added details - lingering spirits, and occasional summer showers contributing to the unique atmosphere of the stage.
Detailed plot points tell us this was the burial ground of the warrior king ancestors of then-new kombatant: Kenshi. Legend tells it was also in the labyrinthine under structure that Shang Tsung disguised himself and fooled Kenshi into unleashing the souls of his ancestors. Kenshi was blinded in the process, and replenished the parasitic sorcerer. With Kenshi's Mortal Kombat X variations making good use of this history - it would be fantastic to see the hallowed grounds reinvented with current technology!
#4 The Pit First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992) Last Appearance: Mortal Kombat (2011)
Rarely has Mortal Kombat had an instalment without a version of The Pit. The iconic death arena has been with the series since the beginning, introducing the very first stage fatality with its spike-laden pit bottom in 1992. So iconic is the concept, that the Pit Bottom itself has grown into a legendary arena distinct from the top - reprised most recently with a demon populated incarnation in Mortal Kombat (2011).
Each Pit has taken on a distinct character, leaving the idea wide open to interpretation for a Mortal Kombat X downloadable return. One way the concept might be refreshed is with Aztec inspired architecture and materials to reflect the regime of Kotal Kahn. Some tiered stone, green grass and a deadly plunge would be all that's necessary to get the thrills of the klassic concept back for a new generation!
The only thing keeping this trademark stage away from the top of the list is its frequent staple appearances in the series, and the heavy emphasis on stage fatalities that aren't quite as relevant to Mortal Kombat X as other installments.
#5 Kahn's Coliseum First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II(1993) Last Appearance: Mortal Kombat (2011)
The concept of a Roman inspired gladiatorial arena was a simple one for a series called "Mortal Kombat", but undeniably effective. Like so much of MKII; Kahn's Coliseum has been revisited throughout the series, defying its dependent relevance to a single story by the sheer force of its iconic brilliance.
The 2011 reboot gave us opportunity to revisit Kahn's Coliseum once again, delivering the most spectacular vision to date! Fully realized as a colossal, densely populated arena, it embellished the status quo of Kahn's central throne and a roaring crowd, adding monster wranglers and even more pomp and circumstance. With Shao Kahn's death, we have to assume at least some of this has changed, but that doesn't mean the joy of fighting in Kahn's Coliseum needs to end.
At the close of the twenty-five year storyline of Mortal Kombat X, Kotal Kahn has eliminated his rivals (namely Mileena), and ended the civil war for Outworld's throne. Governing with a brutal testament of justice, there's every chance Kotal Kahn has been using the coliseum for his own public executions - but we think it would be more interesting if he hasn't. War takes its toll on kingdoms, and like the arenas of Rome, we think it would be fantastic to reintroduce Kahn's Coliseum as a decrepit shadow of its former self. This "klassic" DLC would be silent - the crowds too poor and afraid to fill its seats. The stone theatre would be crumbling, and the stains of past battles darkened and dusty. An echo of the past, telling the story of twenty-five years of unrest in visual.
#6 The Dead Pool First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II (1993) Last Appearance: Mortal Kombat (2011)
Like other MKII arenas on the list, The Dead Pool has a timeless appeal rooted in its simple high concept. Its darkly macabre acid pools may not have a logical place in the plot of Mortal Kombat X, but as a stand-alone downloadable arena, it delivers a charm the rigid logics of the current generation simply cannot match!
We aren't big believers in Mortal Kombat as the shock horror series some feel it is, but there's no denying The Dead Pool is where some of this reputation is rightly earned.
The Dead Pool was given fantastic treatment in Mortal Kombat (2011), so the challenge is to make it feel different enough to justify its return. Like Kahn's Coliseum, it could be tremendously interesting to see The Dead Pool in a state of decay and ruin. The result of the unchecked corrosive fluids could be a darker, more uncomfortable, more dangerous version of the stage. Stage interaction could really be the key here, making use of splashing acid, and the many chains that have traditionally hung throughout the arena. For a bonus flourish, it could be nice to see a disfigured Executioner lurking in the background - a forgotten servant of Kahn whose time in The Dead Pool has taken a brutal toll.
#7 Shang Tsung's Island First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992) Last Appearance: Mortal Kombat (2011)
It's about this point you're going to start to notice a theme emerging even more than it did in Mortal Kombat X. While some klassic arenas are welcome to return as we know them - others are the perfect opportunity to reflect the twenty-five years that have elapsed since we last saw them. Case in point: Shang Tsung's Island!
2005's Shaolin Monks had the island imploding in on itself as a result of Shang Tsung's defeat in its controversial retelling of the original mythos. The 2011 franchise reboot opted for a more modest conclusion to the tournament, leaving the island in tact for new tales. We live in hope that there may yet be another official Mortal Kombat tournament between Outworld and Earthrealm in the future, but for now, the passage of time is interesting enough to warrant a return.
DC Comics tell us Havik and Reiko inhabited the sorcerer's island for a time, while Mortal Kombat X revisits the island in a private mission by Johnny Cage. These occupations needn't stand in the way of a reinvention of Shang's Island as a familiar locale in a state of ruin. Signs of past battles, decoration in decay, and overgrown plant life are exactly the kinds of details we'd like to see when we return.
#8 Goro's Lair/Kuatan Palace First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992) Last Appearance: Mortal Kombat (2011)
There was a lot of fanfare surrounding the return of legendary Mortal Kombat sub-boss: Goro! As a Mortal Kombat X downloadable character, he was given the royal treatment, packaged universally as pre-order bonus and featured in a slew of pre-release trailers and events. We were excited to see the Shokan Prince back in action - so it came as a shock that he factored very little into the presentation of the game itself.
In the original Mortal Kombat, Goro's Lair helped sell the grandeur of the half-man, half-dragon Champion of Mortal Kombat. While we wouldn't oppose the return of the klassic subterranean dungeon arena, it might be more interesting and relevantn to appropriate the name with some flourishes of The Kuatan Palace - introduced to the games In Mortal Kombat: Gold (1999) and made playable in Deadly Alliance (2002).
It was left to DC Comics to tell most of the tale of Goro, which established a rivalry between he and Kotal Kahn, who had incorporated the Shokan Empire into his conquest of Outworld. The series showed the final days of King Gorbak, making a return to the Kuatan Palace at least tangentially topical.
Mortal Kombat arenas have a long history of seated onlookers. Shang Tsung graced multiple arenas in the original Mortal Kombat,. while Shao Kahn famously watched on throughout MKII and MK3. Goro's Lair/Kuatan Throne Room could be the perfect opportunity to give us another throne occupying watcher. This could be Goro himself subject to active kombatants -- much like Goro's Lair of Mortal Kombat (2011) -- or, for an extra flourish, King Gorbak. Either way, it would be nice to complete the presentation of Goro as a feature character.
#9 The Lost Tomb/Sarna Ruins First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002) Last Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition (2003)
Long before Mortal Kombat X let players swing on trees and brutalize old women: Deadly Alliance introduced the gimmick of destructible arena elements.
The silent stone warriors of The Lost Tomb would offer an interesting visual in an updated, two-dimensionally oriented version of the now klassic 3D kombat arena, and would suit the new interactive system to perfection! The joys of tossing human facsimiles needn't be exclusive to Sub-Zero any longer, as players pick from a line of statues located at the side of the stage! For extra ammunition, why not have the clay army replenish itself by moving a warrior forward each time a statue is destroyed in battle?
Inescapable as a dominant focal point; the underground temple pays homage to Shinnok's amulet - the ever reoccurring macguffin that is centrepiece to Mortal Kombat X's story. Back in 2002, the talisman was the instrument of The Dragon King Onaga, whose invincible army resides idly in The Lost Tomb. We still don't know how the timeline reboot has effected Onaga's Deception return. It could be delayed, or never to occur. Either way, the indifferent existence of the Sarna Ruins would hopefully accommodate this unique arena's return as MKX DLC. If its contents are too troublesome to potential sequel plans, moving the fight outside, to the desert landscape where the Sarna Ruins temple can be seen amidst sandstorms, could be culturally deviant enough to keep it interesting.
#10 Reiko's War Room First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006) Last Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006)
Believe it or not, the thrill of fighting on an oversized map was enough to make Reiko's War Room a cult hit in 2006. It helped that it tied into the Konquest story mode, where Reiko also received a much needed design overhaul, and clearer characterization. It officially closed the book on Mortal Kombat 4's Shao Kahn rumors, and laid the groundwork for the characterization fans have enjoyed in the recent Mortal Kombat X DC Comics tie-in.
Is this really klassic enough an arena to bump out other perennial favourites? Admittedly, we're blurring criteria with the addition of this particular arena.
There's a deceptive amount of potential in building this arena up for a new incarnation. It could be fun to use the map underfoot for some leverage based stage interactions - pulling the proverbial rug. There's also plenty of room for refurbishment, offering a more interesting backdrop, with more stage elements. A book or parchment of the story mode referenced "Reiko Accords" would be a fun, weapon-based easter egg. A Kahn Hammer inspired interactive weapon could also be a nice touch. Likewise, including Reiko himself in the background, perhaps in the mode of Shao Kahn, complete with complimentary commentary throughout the fight, could be a way to build the stage up utilizing existing mythology. All of this would be moot without one key detail, though - a downloadable or unlockable Reiko.
We look back to Injustice: Gods Among Us for precedent for this kind of graduation. In the DC superhero fighter, it was Martian Manhunter who made the leap from background cameo, to eventual playable downloadable fighter [full story]. The shocking omission became the first post-Season Pass character sold separately - a tactic earmarked for sorely missed Mortal Kombat X characters like Fujin.
Using Reiko's cult status and the DLC arena system to smuggle a secret unlockable character into the game would go a long way to earning NetherRealm Studios and Warner Brothers street cred for creativity and generosity. It is, however, a highly unlikely eventuality, if current indicators are anything to go by.
There are still many more klassic arenas that could find their way into Mortal Kombat X! Which ones would you like to see? Register to share your thoughts on the forum. Support the kommunity by liking & sharing this story and others via MK_Online, Facebook & YouTube.
Recent talk of downloadable arenas for Mortal Kombat X could be yielding the first results come July. NetherRealm Studios have teased upcoming crossover character Predator with what appears to be a partial screenshot of a new environment.
If taken at face value, the screenshot seems to suggest an interior stage based on the Predator alien's spaceship - where trophies of past conquests can be seen. The Predator species are all about big game hunting - and there's no bigger game than Mortal Kombat X!
If it is a new fighting arena, it will be the first addition since the game's April release. A previously released screenshot shows The Predator's trademark heat vision, which leaves the door open for the spaceship to play a role in a cinematic X-Ray attack, or fight intro sequence.
Previous crossover character Jason Voorhees was released in May. The notorious Crystal Lake killer did not come with any arenas. Mortal Kombat X is noteworthy for featuring only thirteen fighting locales - nearly half as many as the last game.
Think you know what The Predator's plans are? Register to share your thoughts on the Mortal Kombat X forum! Debate the alien's potential powers against klassic kombatants in the Fan Koliseum!
Tuesday saw the official launch of Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment's Batman: Arkham Knight - the much anticipated final chapter for developer Rocksteady Studio's hugely successful Bat-game revamp. Wishing the game makers well were their counterparts at NetherRealm Studios, who paid congratulatory tribute with a bat-insignia clad Scorpion.
"Even Scorpion wants to be Batman! Congrats to Rocksteady Games on the release of Batman: Arkham Knight!"
We can only assume it was a slightly less delicious congratulations than the rice krispie, decapitated head cake sent by Rocksteady to mark NetherRealm's April launch of Mortal Kombat X. We did not receive comment about a reciprocal cake at the time of this writing.
The visual crossover is a moment of levity for the beleaguered Batman franchise - forced to suspend PC sales amid crippling problems for ports. It's a problem Mortal Kombat X can relate to. A troubled launch marred the 2015 fighter in its first month, with latest rumors suggesting Chicago based studio High Voltage Software have been removed from the project.
NetherRealm Studios collaborated with Rocksteady Games on past Arkham games, notably entering the mobile development space with Batman: Arkham City Lockdown. They contributed to completion of Batman: Arkham City, later featuring the characters in a skin pack for Injustice: Gods Among Us. Scorpion has continued to battle Batman in video game form after the 2008 crossover Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe, appearing as a guest character in Injustice, and Injustice Mobile.
Scorpion and the other Kombatants have been doing an awful lot of cosplay of late. Recent dress-up variations have included: Samurai, Monsters, Soccer Fans, Offbrand Red Sons and Predator Fans. Creative Director Ed Boon eliminated the possibility of DC crossover characters for Mortal Kombat X, last July. No change has been announced.
A fan of Arkham Knight and the DC Universe? Register to discuss all things Batman and more in the DC Universe Injustice forum! Crossover to talk Scorpion in the Mortal Kombat X forum!
Mortal Kombat X introduced its first guest character in May with the downloadable addition of horror slasher icon Jason Voorhees. This July, one of action/sci-fi cinema's heavyweight warriors will also step into the fight with the arrival of The Predator! Get a taste of things to come with the first screenshots of the coming Predator/Prey Pack:
Mortal Kombat X Creative Director Ed Boon shared the first screenshot [top], including Predator film star Carl Weathers as a bonus skin included for Jax. Weathers starred in the original 1987 film as CIA Agent George Dillon: responsible for gathering and overseeing a mercenary team fronted by Arnold Schwazenegger's Delta Force Major. Their covert mission becomes a fight for survival when the alien predator begins hunting the team through the dense growth of the fictional Val Verde jungle.
The Predator is remembered for its unique arsenal of advanced technology and weaponry. From a mysterious warrior culture, it employs heat vision and invisibility cloaking - as demonstrated in-game by another Mortal Kombat X screenshot, last April. Fans may have gotten an even earlier glimpse of the alien warrior's yet-to-be-revealed weaponry in a stick figure storyboard.
Players who've purchased the Kombat Pack will get first access to The Predator and accompanying skins: Carl Weathers as Jax, Infrared Scorpion & Commando Johnny Cage. Register to discuss DLC and more in the Mortal Kombat X forum. Pit The Predator against Kombatants in fantasy fight debates in the Fan Koliseum!
Mass character fixes have hit Mortal Kombat X in the latest patch for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The super-sized update is also believed to contain multiple new secret Brutalities. Check out the official patch notes:
General Gameplay Fixes:
You can now turn off auto saving of Match Replays in game play options (this is defaulted OFF you will need to turn these ON after getting this patch if desired)
Improvement to PlayStation®3 system generic driver support (The user can now turn off the DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller after pairing a compatible fightstick to the console. The DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller can only be turned off AFTER pairing the fightstick.)
User now can leave a KOTH session as king without taking a loss
There are new secret brutalities to discover!
Character Specific Fixes: D'Vorah
Reduced the cancel advantage after Pterothorax combo (Towards + FP, FP, BP) by 2
(Swarm Queen) - must be in the Bug Bomb held loop for 3 frames before you can dash cancel out of it
Cassie Cage
Single Shot is +2 on hit (up from -9)
Ermac
Adjusted hitbox on Soul Burst & Soul Burst to make it harder to low profile
Increased Soul Burst damage by 4
Increased Soul Blast damage by 10
Erron Black
Increased the cancel advantage of Down + FK by 3 (no longer connects into Tackle on hit)
Ferra/Torr
Increased damage on Grab 'n' Stab by 3
Increased damage on Deep Stab by 4
Goro
Increased hit advantage on Shokan Grab & Shokan Slam to 28 (up from 8)
(Kuatan Warrior) - increased hit advantage on Chest Lunge to 20 (up from 5)
(Kuatan Warrior) - increased hit advantage on Chest Charge to 23 (up from 5)
(Dragon Fangs) - increased hit advantage on Shokan Stabs to 22 (up from 7)
(Dragon Fangs) - increased hit advantage on Shokan Massacre to 23 (up from 5)
(Tigrar Fury) - decreased combo damage scaling after Ground Scorch
Jacqui Briggs
Stanky Leg (BK ~up BK) is now listed in the movelist
Jason Voorhees
Increased the hitbox on Back Breaker, Spine Shatter, Choke, Choke Slam, Tight Squeeze, & Crippler to make it harder to low profile
(Relentless) - reduced the recovery frames on Dark Pursuit (enhanced) to 54 (down from 106)
Jax
Opponent can no longer techroll after X-ray
Johnny Cage
(Fisticuffs) – Away + FP now has 10 startup frames (up from 9)
(Fisticuffs) - all Speed Bag hits are now always -3 on block instead of every 4th one being 0
Kano
Black Dragon Ball (enhanced) damage increased by 4
Uprise Ball (enhanced) damage increased by 3 and is now -5 on block (down from -27)
(Commando) – Choke & Strangle are now -4 on block (down from -14)
Kenshi
Down + BK can no longer be high parried
It is now easier to juggle combo after Sword Dance
Several moves were not combo damage scaling correctly on hit
(Possessed) - Sickle Lift reaction is now consistent (no longer more or less hit advantage depending on height)
(Kenjutsu) - removed armor from Tele-Strike
Kitana
Now pokes out with a fan in Punishing Poke (Down + FP)
Rising Blades can now be special move 2in1’d out of on hit
2nd fan in enhanced Fan Toss is now a mid block
Back Slash (Towards + FP) is now -9 on block (down from -34) +5 on hit (up from -20) and has 25 less recovery frames
Learn Respect combo (Towards + FP, FP) is now -2 on block (down from -1FP) +6 on hit (up from -3) and has 9 less recovery frames
Fake Out combo (BP, FP) is now +2 on block (down from -12)
Increased damage on Fan-Tastic combo (BP, FP, BP) by 4 and is now -3 on block (down from -10)
Fan Swipe (Towards + BP) is now -6 on block (down from -18) +8 on hit (up from -14) and has 12 less recovery frames
Gut Gash combo (Towards + BP, BP) -6 on block (down from -17) and has 9 less recovery frames
(Demolition) - adjusted the damage & hit stun of the grenade attacks
Takahashi Takeda
(Shirai Ryu) – the last hit of Air Spear & Spear Ryu will now combo damage scale correctly
(Lasher) - Whip Thrash & Whip Strike now hits on both sides
Tanya
Last hit of throw will now combo damage scale correctly
Adjusted several hitboxes to hit more consistently
Can't attack for 10 frames after a blocked Quick Teleport
Removed armor from Quick Teleport
(Kobu Jutsu) - Back Stab combo (Away + FP, BP + BK, throw) can no longer be punished on hit
(Kobu Jutsu) - 2nd and 3rd hits of Tonfa Swipe will have less block recovery frames the longer you delay the previous attack
Tanya (Pyromancer) – slightly increased pushback on blocked fireballs
Register to share your thoughts on the Mortal Kombat X forum. Skip straight to mechanics and issue online challenges in the dedicated Gameplay & Matchmaking forum. Support the community by getting involved and liking & sharing via @MK_Online & Facebook.
Fans who've completed the first Mortal Kombat X Mobile Challenge will have unlocked the latest Gold Kard character: Raiden! The Thunder God offers unique support stats to bolster any kombat trio. Learn how to best exploit these abilities in this very useful breakdown tutorial:
Raiden's special moves make the leap to the mobile platform, adapted to unleash electrifying attacks as a "glass cannon" attack and support character. There's still time to complete the challenge. Download Mortal Kombat X Mobile for free via Google Play and the iTunes App Store.
Players can look forward to an ethnically confused, shaolin soccer mish-mash with Futbol Johnny Cage, Capoeira Liu Kang & Gaucho Kung Lao. The latest in a series of kosplay skin packs that redress icons of the series in themed costumes.
Kombat Pack holders have already received multiple skins packs: Samurai Pack, Ultimate Horror Pack & Klassic Pack 1. Soviet fans can also relive the good old days with the Kold War Pack. Quan Chi, Jax & Kung Lao will receive traditional skins in the future Klassic Pack 2. No further designs based on the characters themselves have been announced at this time.
Pacote Brasileiro was released June 16th for R$ 8,00 ($3.99 US). Register to join the digital karnivale and share your thoughts on the Mortal Kombat X forum.
The last descendent of Earthrealm's greatest champion is back! Kung Lao has been reborn as a revenant of the Netherrealm, and he's kicking butt in a whole new way in Mortal Kombat X! You think your kung fu is good? Tip your hat to the master and learn his art in the latest Kombat Klass:
Kung Lao's variations are Tempest, Buzz Saw & Hat Trick. Each mode gives you different advantages to enhance your standard arsenal of special moves and basic attacks. Knowing characters can help you master their winning moves, or counter attack in the heat of battle. Broaden your mastery with previous Kombat Klass subjects: Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Cassie Cage, Jason Voorhees, Erron Black, Kitana, Kenshi, Tanya & Ermac.
Show your support for the Kombat Klass's ESL by purchasing the Blue Steel Sub-Zero. Register to issue online challenges, share tutorials and strategies, or demonstrate high level videos on the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum!
A problem shared is a problem halved, and in the case of Ermac, there are plenty of souls to go around! The eerie warrior wields the combined might of an army of fallen fighters. Learn to harness their skills in unison in the Kombat Klass:
Ermac's variations are Mystic, Maser of Souls & Spectral. Each mode gives you different advantages to enhance your standard arsenal of special moves and basic attacks. Knowing characters can help you master their winning moves, or counter attack in the heat of battle. Broaden your mastery with previous Kombat Klass subjects: Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Cassie Cage, Jason Voorhees, Erron Black, Kitana, Kenshi & Tanya.
Show your support for the Kombat Klass's ESL by purchasing the Blue Steel Sub-Zero skin from your online store, or out Ermac in the guise of a pharaoh with the Horror Pack. Register to issue online challenges, share tutorials and strategies, or demonstrate high level videos on the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum!
The ambassador of deception Tanya has returned to action as the latest Kombat Pack fighter in Mortal Kombat X [full story]! A newly playable warrior means new variations and tactics! Time to learn the art of aggressive negotiation in Kombat Klass:
Tanya's variations are Kobu Jutsu, Dragon Naginata & Pyromancer. Each mode gives you different advantages to enhance your standard arsenal of special moves and basic attacks. Knowing characters can help you master their winning moves, or counter attack in the heat of battle. Broaden your mastery with previous Kombat Klass subjects: Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Cassie Cage, Jason Voorhees, Erron Black, Kitana & Kenshi.
Show your support for the Kombat Klass's ESL by purchasing the Blue Steel Sub-Zero. Register to issue online challenges, share tutorials and strategies, or demonstrate high level videos on the Gameplay & Matchmaking forum!
As protector of Earthrealm he stands watch for eternity - but what happens when good gods go bad? The next Invasion Boss has launched full scale war against online players in Mortal Kombat X!
This time MKX Mobile ChallengeRaiden strikes again for the Elder Gods! The Thunder God represents the ultimate challenge - one you won't overcome on your own! This will be a team effort as the boss tier threat pushes you to do what damage you can, before succumbing to nigh inevitable defeat.
Players can choose to join the White Lotus Society, Black Dragon, Brotherhood of Shadow, Lin Kuei or Special Forces. Representing a clan earns points toward special unlockable items and achievements, with every action in the game contributing to your clan's total assault! Use clan recruitment posts on the forum to share valuable boss strategies to help spur your faction to victory!
The Special Forces were victors in Shinnok's Elder God Invasion. Choose your destiny and fight for them - or against them! Had a change of heart? For a small points penalty, you can switch clans at any time. Rising through the ranks of each clan will offer in-game benefits! Learn more about Clans & Invasions in the Mortal Kombat X: Next Trailer!
Whose side are you on? Register to discuss the invasion on the Mortal Kombat X forum, or share boss beating tips with your clan in the Fan Koliseum! Show your true colors by selecting a clan avatar from the Icon Library in your User Settings. Represent and recruit by liking & sharing stories via @MK_Online and Facebook!
You can't keep a fallen elder god down! Last week's Invasion Boss launched a full scale war against online players in Mortal Kombat X for a second time!
This time Shinnok returned to unleash his infernal power in the name of the Elder Gods! The fallen elder god represented a tall order challenge - one you couldn't overcome on your own! It was a team effort as the boss tier threat pushed players to do what damage they could before succumbing to defeat. In the end, the Special Forces emerged victorious!
Each week players can choose to join the White Lotus Society, Brotherhood of Shadow, Black Dragon, Lin Kuei or Special Forces. Representing a clan earns points toward special unlockable items and achievements, with every action in the game contributing to your clan's total assault! Use clan recruitment posts on the forum to share valuable boss strategies to help spur your faction to victory!
Choose your destiny and fight for them - or against them! Had a change of heart? For a small points penalty, you can switch clans at any time. Rising through the ranks of each clan will offer in-game benefits! Learn more about Clans & Invasions in the Mortal Kombat X: Next Trailer!
Whose side are you on? Register to discuss the invasion on the Mortal Kombat X forum, or share boss beating tips with your clan in the Fan Koliseum! Show your true colors by selecting a clan avatar from the Icon Library in your User Settings. Represent and recruit by liking & sharing stories via @MK_Online and Facebook!
Have you completed the Raiden Challenge? The Thunder God electrified portable devices in Mortal Kombat X Mobile - challenging players to obtain the ultimate victory in order to unlock Raiden himself! The challenge ran from May 28 until June 18th.
Unlocking Raiden meant facing five tiers of terror - consisting of 12 battles each, with the exception of the final tier of 15! The first tier was gentle, requiring Bronze kards. Tier 2 opened the fight up to Bronze & Silver tier kards. Tier 4 had a Kard Pack on the line, with players required to equip a Spec Ops kard. Tier 5 needed a Martial Artist kard to complete.
Did you unlock the thunder god kard? Register to share your success on the Mortal Kombat X forum! Support your favourite fighters from the game by voting daily on Mortal Kombat Online for the 2015 Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion!
Mortal Kombat X Mobile lets you take the fight wherever you go with kard kombat for iOS & Android devices! Looking to level up your tablet device? NetherRealm Studios is giving you the chance to win a new iPad Air 2 just by playing!
To enter the draw: simply take a screenshot of your most brutal team of three in Battle Mode and share the photo on the official Facebook competition post! Tell them why this is your deadliest kombo for a chance to be one of two iPad winners!
Competition entries close June 8th. While you're there, be sure to follow and like Mortal Kombat Online! Support the site by liking and sharing stories. Register to tell us if you win on the Mortal Kombat X forum! Good luck!
Playing away can be difficult at the best of times, but for Persepolis F.C. of the Asian Champions League - the Al Hilal home crowd reception was especially icey!
Fans of the Al Hilal blue side adopted Sub-Zero as an intimidating mascot visage, creating the kombatant in unison with crowd signs. They took the Mortal Kombat theme to its logical conclusion, flipping the signs to reveal "Finish 'em"! You can see the whole transition in a video posted by the club [above].
This isn't the first time Mortal Kombat and the world game have been on side! Mortal Kombat X recently included a football themed skin for Johnny Cage via the Brazil Skins pack.
Developments from the third Mortal Kombat live-action webseries have been surprisingly quiet since filming commenced in January. Actor/model Lewis Tan may have provided our first look at the film, however, sharing an Instagram snap of a "a special series" in the editor's suite:
Look closely at the editor's shot list and you should be able to make out the works Mortal Kombat. This supports previous unconfirmed rumors that Tan will appear in the new series as Kung Jin. A second image [aboved] shows a close-up of the actor, originally posted in February.
Kung Jin is a relative of heroic kombatant Kung Lao [Mark Dacascos in Legacy II], who turned his back on his heritage to survive on the streets as a petty thief. He is lured back to the Shaolin order by Raiden during Mortal Kombat X's story mode The character made headlines for being the first gay character in the series [full story].
The third live-action webseries is rumoured to be titled Mortal Kombat: Generations. It remains unclear if, or how specifically, the series follows previous instalments of Mortal Kombat: Legacy. Casper Van Dien (Johnny Cage) and Cary-HIroyuki Tagawa (Shang Tsung) are confirmed to return from Series 2.
With only the second Mortal Kombat X downloadable character upon us [this week]; it's fair to say Mortal Kombat Online's focus should still be on NetherRealm Studios' current fighting game. Despite a rash of persistent software issues; the tenth instalment has been a blockbuster success for "next" generation consoles (and PC) - fuelled by a massive launch! MKX has burnt bright - but also brought into focus the encroaching influence of big business. Now more than ever, that means a certain monotony of patterns.
To date; Warner Brothers' MK output may have been sporadic, but the more things change, the more they stay the same. The two year release cycle instituted by Midway Games has roughly been upheld over three NetherRealm titles, supported by the introduction of an intended parallel franchise: Injustice: Gods Among Us.
For the forward thinking: a post-launch burst of occasional DC Comics tweets in NetherRealm Creative Director [Ed Boon]'s feed lends to a sense of inevitability. If an Injustice sequel is indeed coming, it's likely that pre-production is already well under way, or entering development stages. Jokes about flash drives aren't the only reason we're thinking about a superhero fighting sequel, but they mount a case for what might lie ahead, and that warrants talking about.
Identity Krisis:Injustice isn't quite Kombat, but isn't totally unique, either.
The combined drawing power of DC Comics and NetherRealm Studios was undeniable, but from a Mortal Kombat vantage point, the game struggled to connect with an existing fighting game user base. Finding equivalency, rather than a sustained loyal audience; NetherRealm's attempts to differentiate their two franchise series led to a dubious, somewhat unnecessary identity crisis. The result was a game not quite appealing to Mortal Kombat, but not nearly as different as developers would hope to claim.
All things considered - Injustice: Gods Among Us was a meritorious outing. As a fighting game, it was certainly credible, and gave NetherRealm the room to experiment. It continued DC's efforts to further entrench their characters in the interactive entertainment space, but also gave back to the boutique comics industry, generating a major crossover attraction in their fledgling digital comics business. It did all this whilst overcoming the bad taste of 2008's lacklustre Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe, as well as unflattering comparisons to their trail blazing rivals. It ticked a lot of the right boxes - so how can it be better?
Time will tell what effect Mortal Kombat X launch problems and DLC strategies have on the paying audience. For the time being, it seems NetherRealm and Warner Brothers have all the luxuries of a strong built-in base for both of their major IPs. This means they also have the luxury to lead the way - carving out a new niche in the ever-repeating cycle of copycat AAA games. Ironically, we're finding inspiration in the failed efforts of a defunct Chicago developer working on a rival franchise.
PtoP Online recently unearthed four minutes of footage from EA Chicago's cancelled work on a 2007 Marvel Comics fighter [above]. An unofficial sequel to Rise of the Imperfects - it was rumoured to be called "Marvel: Destruction" after its destructible, sandbox environments.
The game obviously predates Street Fighter IV, MK vs DC, and the games that jumpstarted a renaissance of 2D planes in fighting games that persists as standard in 2015. While not particularly impressive on first viewing, the prototype footage taps an important and relevant vein absent from Injustice: Gods Among Us, and its contemporaries.
While Capcom may have proved the fighting game viability of superheroes in the mid-to-late nineties with their spastic, over-the-top Marvel games - the medium is not natural to the concept. Superheroes, by definition of half a century of history, do not fight within the rigid guidelines of side-to-side combat!
For the comics illiterate, you need only look at one of the many Hollywood blockbusters littering pop culture's landscape to recognize the inherent flaw of trapping a superhero in a 2D fighting game Whether its the city destroying battles of Superman & General Zod, the industrial armor wars of Iron Man 3, or the construction site conclusion to The Dark Knight - environment provides massive influential variables to the way characters move, interact and fight. Throw these disparate character types into one place - in much the way Marvel's Avengers has - and you further tap the awkward uniformity of a game like Injustice.
Granted; Injustice attempts to acknowledge the awkward inaccuracy of it all. Presentation plays a big part, with stage interactions offering different types of usage based on rudimentary character classes. Super moves also use cinematic flourish to introduce some environmental accessorizing - Batman's Batmobile special, Aquaman's shark attack shoe-horning the standards of the genre in as best they can. When compared to the truly ham-fisted attempts of Injustice's pill popping story mode, it's a lot easier just to swallow the conventions of the medium. Is it really the strongest option in such a crowded space, though?
Environmental Impact:Rudimentary city destruction introduced in MK vs DC.
In the lead-up to Injustice, NetherRealm Studios talked about diversifying their portfolio. Mobile development has given them a new revenue niche, but much as they've done since 2002, the team continues to turn out a fighting game every 2-3 years. 2002 was also when they introduced a fluid 3D plane in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance - iterating on MK4's side step mechanic while dreaming of multi-fighter, open arena kombat.
While "3D" fighting isn't necessarily in vogue in the hardcore scene, it is still out there. MOBA gaming marshals a strong following with softcore variants on fighting mechanics, while 3D mech fighters remain strong in Japan. Godzilla tramples destructible cities on US Sony consoles in July.
The environment is just one part of developing a pure superhero experience. The demands of balanced fighting games are challenged by the inherent inequality between different superhero types. Of course, avid comics readers know super-power weight classes can easily be mitigated with skills, strategy, weaponry and other circumstances. Captain America can go toe-to-toe with Hulk, using speed, agility and his nigh indestructible shield. Some characters interact uniquely with others - the chemistry of superhero powers being another largely untapped facet of Injustice's constrained roster. [Related Article: Battle Arena Week 1: Bane v Batman, Wonder Woman v Harley Quinn]
Generating the vast variables and resources necessary to achieve a fast paced, fluid, functional open arena fighting game would be an incredible challenge - but the perfect way for NetherRealm to step up to the plate, demonstrating diversity and originality. Successfully fusing hardcore fight mechanics with free-flowing superheroics could also give Injustice the distinct identity it lacks -- especially with simple stage interactions now part of Mortal Kombat X.
Eager to shake off the shackles of superhero fighting games? A DC super-fan? Register to discuss Gods Among Us and more in the DC Universe Injustice forum! Support the site by liking & sharing articles via @MK_Online, Facebook & YouTube!
The treacherous Edenian Tanya is returning to kombat in the latest official trailer for Mortal Kombat X! She joins the playable roster as the second of four additional fighters bundled in The Kombat Pack.
Long time fans will remember Tanya from her debut in 1997's Mortal Kombat 4. She participated as a facilitator for Mortal Kombat X big bad Shinnok - condemning the realm she is now fighting to restore in MKX. She enjoyed a brief return seven years later in Mortal Kombat: Deception and its compilation sequel.
The downloadable Tanya has received a design upgrade since her Story Mode appearance. She's also bringing with her a whole new array of fighting techniques, including the addition of naginata and tonfa weapons. It's a whole new Tanya for a new generation of kombat - and she already has hardcore fans talking!
Tanya ranked #2 on Mortal Kombat Online's pre-game Top 10 MKX Return Kombatants. She is currently awaiting Round 2 of the annual Supreme Mortal Kombat Champion tournament, where fans determine the best character of the moment. She defeated fellow Kombat Pack DLC fighter Tremor in the first round.
For a series that cut its teeth (and dismembered its enemies) with spikey stage fatalities, and blood stained death arenas - tranquillity is a downright strange thing to look for. Yet, that's exactly what the House of Pekara delivered in spades, making it one of the most memorable stages of the "3D Klassic" era.
There was a lot of fanfare surrounding the return of legendary Mortal Kombat sub-boss: 
Mass character fixes have hit Mortal Kombat X in the latest patch for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The super-sized update is also believed to contain multiple new secret Brutalities. Check out the official patch notes:
