Baraka is an interesting phenomenon in MK but his character design and concept is not unknown to fighter games. Look at him, he's vicious, and mostly raw brutality is often associated with him. His design also mirrors his behavior.
The "look mirrors the behavior" concept is not unafmiliar to character designers, mainly in comics. Look at Sabertooth from X-Men and you got a straight answer. Barakas face and his forearm blades are just the ideal looks that he needs when we're talking about viciousness.

His story sadly lacks creativity. But who can expect creativity from a character, who only seems collected at the moment, and in a seconds change goes rampage?

I mean, in MK2 he was the leader of his tribe and one of the special recruits in Shao Khans army. When Shao Khans rule was temporarely thrown over by Liu Kang (we know that Baraka led the attack on Kangs temple) he just wandered away. Gone.
In MK3/trilogy he came back to the battlefield, again in the services of Khan, killing off those who were a possible threat to the rule of Khan.
IN MK4 he fought by the side of Quan Chi-an interesting turn, since here we can guess that he had more brains and gone mercenary. (his ending sucked tough)
In Deception he worked for the Dragon King (meanwhile he became leader of his race, or was that already in MK4?) and the most interesting thing is, that Midway actualy created a very original plotline from his romance with Mileena: he had to kill-off his love, who actually betrayed him. Damn good. Actually it would have been a better twist if he could not kill Mileena, who was mercylessly killed by the designers. Sad.

Baraka is a good character and should survive at least one more game. But no more. I have a strange feeling that his storylines peak point comes soon if he makes it into MK7.

If Midway would have done a better search for martial arts, they would have given him Baranta as the second style besides Silat. baranta is true noma-dic fighting art originated from early Hungary. I think it would fit him better.

Baraka: 7/10

I'm glad Baraka came back...its about time he showed his ugly face in this series again after such a long absence (I don't count MK Gold). I've always liked Baraka, but my feelings about him have changed.

Since there is no longer a Baraka, but multiple Baraki that all look 100% identical to one another, Baraka just totally loses his unique appeal. Baraka is cool, yeah, but there's hundreds of others out there just like him...with the same blades in their arms and same identical look. Wtf? Stupid move in terms of creativity...Baraka's appeal is just totally gone now.

But in terms of his story, I kinda liked it. His ending was awesome...one of my favorites in the game, and i love how it linked directly to Mileena's, practically continuing off of it.

Gameplay wise he is simply awesome, one of the best, and possibly cheapest, damage dealers in the game. He can easily waste opponents without breaking a sweat, and has some surprising combos that can catch you off guard.

He should definitely come back in the next MK...he's becoming a rather important character.

Not all Tarkatans/Baraki look alike. There are minor differences between them: hair, face, just like us humans. Baraka, actually he has a potential that few Mk characters have.

I really like the evolvement of the mutants/nomads. I don't like the fact that they changed the name to Tarkatans, (even though that's a cool name!), but I love the fact that they're now a hybrid of Outworld denizens and Netherrealm demons.

I never like baraka specifically...I do not hate him either...he is a great(looking)character and he fights great...I also liked the love between him and mileena but I still dont know why they kill of eachother in deception...I agree with Libra who said that its a pity he killed his loved one off so easily...but he's not a character that appeals to me in a way that jade, kitana or scorpion do

did i say that??? hmmmm.....i dont remember.

anyway, im changing three days to two days. it seems three days is a little to long.

Baraka is pretty cool i love the blades his story is alright he looks awesome
he is probably5th or 6th on my list

For the first time, I actually like Baraka.
He is very powerful in this game, I think everybody can win with him he is very easy to control & easy to learn his combos. So I think he is an okay character in MKD.

im sorry, probably my fault, i misunderstood your words...orrr it was someone else who said it

he is a powerful jedi

Baraka Handsome Boy but quanchi killed him on mkgold

two days are over. next character is Sindel. have fun people!!!

Before I go to Sindel, MKRayden, Quan Chis ending was not canon, so Baraka survived.

SINDEL: besides his original concept of half dead queen of Shao khan, she's not very original. She is the mother of Kitana, and commited suicide after the event when King Jarrod lost to Khan, who proposed to her as king. OK, good enough.

The dimensional link line is also good in her bios, but the whole MK3 and trilogy concentrated around her. And this is where things get freaky: Why didn't earthrealms warriors kill the abomination, so they could close the portals. Whith Shao Khan cut off from reinforcements from Outworld, they could have defeated him more easily. Perhaps the Shadow Priests maintained the link after Sindel took up contact with Khan. Possibly.

OK I have a tendency to rate characters, so i'm gonna rate Baraka whom I forgot:

Sindels storyline-overall: 3/5
Sindels looks-overall: 2/5
Sindels special moves: 3/5
Sindels fighting styles: 3/5
Sindels finishers-overall: 3/5

Whole character overall: 3/5

I liked sindel since MK3...I like her storyline, not only because she's Kitana's mother but also because she was some sort of key..so she had a point, she had a purpose...I think she looks cool as well except for that long grey hair...that makes her look old...I like her scream and all....although I dont know how she's like to play with in deception, I think she looks cool, especially her alt costume....But in the movie, I thought she looked way dumb and acted like she was on doop or something...
She's one of my favourites

Oh, I almost forgot Baraka again, OK here he goes:

Barakas storyline-overall: 3/5
Barakas looks-overall: 3/5
Barakas special moves: 2/5 (they all blade related, but thats OK, effective)
Barakas fighting styles: 2/5 (hung gar for baraka? -baranta instead)
Barakas finishers-overall: 4/5

Whole character overall: 3/5

Sindel is a good character. Her looks in deception are great, and her two primary fighting styles fit her well. I must admit though, Im not that fussed about her weapon. To me it looks a bit out of place for her. I was also sdisappointed in the lack of special moves which Sindel had, she definitly should have her flight and some sort of air move.
I also think her fatalities are very fitting to her character, as is her Hara-Kiri.

In terms of storyline so far, I think Sindel si one of the mroe interesting characters. But, Im not really sure how they could tie her into the next game, unless they just say she wants to continue the fight against evil. Her Deception storyline was great, one of the best IMO, and her ending is one which I think is actually going to happen, to a certain degree. I dont think we've seen the last of Onaga though.

So overall I think Sindel is a good character. There is room for improvement, but hey there is in every character. I'm gonna copy someones idea of rating the characters, so here goes:

Looks: 7/10
Storyline: 8/10
Special moves: 6/10
Fighting Styles: 7/10
Weapon Style: 6/10
Finishers: 7/10
Ending: 8/10

Overall: 7/10

Hm, if thez wanna bring back kitana with a good motivation, mazbe Sindel could die this time. just a theory.

A good character deserves good deaths. Sindel isn§t a mainstream character, she§s onlz appeared twice and she played only a major role in MKD. In MK3 she was jsut the link, but nothing else.

Hmmmm Im not sure I agree that Kitanas return can only be justified if they Kill off Sindel. Kitana has a good backstory and present story and is involved with many other characters, which could base her return.

I personally think Edenia is going to be more involved in the next Mortal Kombat games. I think they are moving the focus gradually away form Eathrealm. Earthrealm was the main focus of Mortal kombat, but now they're giving us insights into the other realms, and they will be the main focus of new games.

In MK3 she played a much more important role. Now in MK:D she's just filler. i don't like her new look because she still looks evil and not good. what she does to try to stop the Dragon King probably won't be canon anyways. she should probably die and have Kitana be the queen of Edenia.

To me, Sindel has improved since MK3/UMK3/MKT. She looks better and her storyline is not too bad. Fighting wise, she seems to be a speed fighter with decent power. I like using her Fu Jow Pai the most. It was great that they put Zha Chuan in the game. I'm not a big fan of her weapon style though it's not that bad. I wish she could float like she did in MK3 as well as have a dual projectile move like in MKT. I would like to see her in the next MK game.

Sindel is an interesting character.She was an integral part of MK3's story and she is important in MK:D too.She has a really good story and she is a great character model.It's nice to see a woman that isn't a ninja.She has great styles in MK:D.They are all different but the make up for each others flaws.Zha Chuan is very strong and fast but it doesn't have good range.Fu Jow Pai is very fast has great range but it is mainly transitional so it doesn't have very many combos that keep you in Fu Jow pai.Its also a little on the weak side.Kwan Do has awesome range,great power,and great juggles.The only downside is that it is very linear and is easy to sidestep.I do think they should have given her her multiple projectiles,levitate,and her hair whip move.Other than that I think she is a great character and hope to see her in the next MK.

Yes, Kitana could be in the next MK. I just stated that Sindels death would give her an additional boost. I don't think they should have given her a better look, remember, she is an undead still. She hasn't been changed or anithing. Her goals altough changed, as she opposed Khan.

No dual missile attack, but the levitation could be great in such a 3D
engine.

Who's gonna be next? this is a great thread, i just wish that Hotaru would
be next, or a little bit sooner.

Ever since MK2 Baraka has been my favorite, and hes scorin with super sexy Mileena.