You know, that did cross my mind. However, I too doubt that'll happen since most people either don't want Smoke to return or are simply indifferent to his existence. It's no surprise either.

The fanbase was already divided in half over the cyber and human forms, and when Smoke finally returned with that horrible nano-design (seriously, what in the name Christ were they thinking; we waited 8 years for that!), a lot of fans apparently have moved on.

And on top of that, moved on to other ninjas. Noob's fanbase exploded in size. For the exact opposite reason, too: Smoke's fanbase divided in half, while the fanbases of Noob and the Original Sub fused together.

I thought the nano-design look was fantastic. I loved seeing his new costume design and overall look in MKD.

Smoke really needed a more original approach in order to feel unique when compared to the other 2 Cyborgs.

I'll agree that he needed an original appearance, but original can mean virtually anything. It only implies a negation: that he not look like anyone else.

But that was never my problem with the design. No one attacks Smoke's appearance on the grounds of being original. The problems lied in the aesthetic. His mask looked insect-like, which already is a strange move. even the predator-esque face mask of Cyrax came off as more human, and it should. Just because Smoke is cybernetic does not mean he isn't sentient.

Also, his ninja attire lacked artistic detail. Other than the v-straps that went over shoulders (which had a nice design, I'll concede), he was basically wearing a black jump suit with holes in it plus a utility belt. I actually did sort of like the gloves; it was a nice change from arm-guards. The shoulder guards weren't bad either, though they would have looked better in the context of a fuller more detailed suit (why protect your shoulders but not your chest?).

Speaking of which, why so little clothing? If the MK team was trying to show the translucent effects, then the design already failed, because he didn't look like a man made of Smoke, he looked like glass man with smoke inside him.

In the end, the human-Smoke fans just walked the other direction, while the cyber-Smoke fans went into a second divide over whether they liked or disliked the design. In other words, a fourth of the fanbase is still intact.

I saw the show, and it looked like a whole bunch more of the same. The new features really aren't new they're just improved; like free-fall combat. Just like air combat for MKA. Close combat is nothing special.

Fighting dynamics look the same and completely unchanged.

Seeing Superman run someone through a wall was nice, but its along the lines of multi-tiered combat. Just a new twist on something old.

The special moves are old. Really old. I'm not sure I saw one thing other than Cat Woman's throw and Batman's drop toe hold that seemed new and I have a feeling those are "throws."

Shang Tsung looks like Reptile.

The game just seems dull.

@tgrant, Sub's slide is actually one of his oldschool moves that should have never have left IMO. Cold shoulder is cool, but not as good or cool as his slide : )

For the other dude

Shang looks different, but definitely nothing like Reptile. Reptile is green....I thought Shang looked like a wrestler honestly lol, might be just me...

Fighting dynamics are changed actually, very much so trust me I play these games online. They're nothing like the previous MK games, that had dial ups, limited combo system. This game will have chain combos(that means custom combos)

The running thru walls is not old, in fact that's actually pretty cool to be in any fighting game. Before that was just someone falling off a roof like in MKD/MKA, VF and DOA.

The free falling kombat is nothing like air kombat in MKA, believe me...AK in MKA you could AC(air cancel) and continue to do extra damage, I highly doubt that would be remotely possible in MK8.

Klose kombat is very new, more of a boxing like sequence.

Game looks very good actually. Can't wait to see more.

Since when does Vandall Savage look like Reptile?

EA came out with a city wide fighting game for Marvel that had throwing through walls, attacking people in the crowd, throwing them. That was fresh, these are just new twists.

So how do you know about the fighting mechanic? Is there a downloadable demo somewhere or do you work for Midway?

That's a similar idea, but NOT the same exact thing as MK8's version...MK8's looks more "cinamatic" /CGI-ish as oppose to vid game.

I like everyone else here haven't played the actual game yet, however what I'm telling you is that as an online competitive player, I already see lots of differences. If you played online competitively you'd understand more of what I refer to.

And it's also a bit obvious, last 3 MK's had long, branch dial ups...this game doesn't for one that's a big change in the gameplay. Then there's also differences in 50/50/s, OTG's, FT's etc....if you know what those are.