I'm a member of GameFaqs.com's MKD forum, and someone asked us what features we'd like to see in the next MK game. I listed mine, and was told that I had some great ideas, and then heard that occasionally, the design team itself checks this place out for information and fan feedback.
So, while I'm sorry if this has been done countless times before, I'd like to see everyone post their ideas for special features and new evolutions in the future of MK here. You never know what may come of it.
Here are some ideas I've toyed around with:
1) Weapon specific Fatalities that essentially are shorter-to-input versions of Brutalities that ruthlessly dismember, slash, and crush the enemy.The only real thing this offers over a normal Fatality is bragging rights, but they could be visual dynamite, as well as being fun to do for those willing to learn and practice them.
2) More unique fatalities. I'd like to see an entire crew devoted to NOTHING but concepts for new Fatalities, and if I were on it, I'd try to bring back a pinch of the old-school shock value. No more "comical" fatalities. I'm sorry, but Bo Rai Cho's new flaming gas Fatality is an insult to serious players.
3) I would like it if before a fight, you could pick from a list of available fighting styles for your character, since there are certainly some we prefer over others. Remember a character you wanted to use in MKDA, but hated the pre-determined styles for? I do.
4) Video endings would GREATLY increase the fun in the single player mode, in my opinion.
5) Vicious counters and throw counters. Not stealing the DOA engine, by any means, but the throw/counter system in that was truly fun. I'd like to see a slightly less broken system implemented in MK7.
6) More minigames. One I'd like to see is a kart racing game. Sure, it's like stealing Mario Kart, but why not, if you've already jacked Tetris and Super Puzzle Fighter? :P
Think of the special abilities: Scorpion harpoons his enemy ahead of him, and retracts the harpoon quickly, lifting the winning cart high and literally flinging them several cars back as he pulls ahead to where they were. Sub-Zero freezing the enemy's kart and either leaving them dead in their tracks or ramming them to pieces. Baraka casually reaching over and puncturing a tire with his blade, so that for the next ten seconds, your handling is totally shot and you have to fight hard to keep control of your game.
I think that has a LOT of promise if done right and put totally online with up to, say, eight players. I REALLY hope Midway considers this idea, as I think it would dwarf the fun-factor in both Puzzle Kombat and Chess Kombat on its own, and I'm VERY much looking forward to PK and CK.
7) I would embrace a less rigid fighting system not dependant on dial-a-button combo memorization. These things don't trouble me, but they are a bit outdated, and most people I know simply can't commit a fourteen hit combo to memory, much less actually do it.
A LOT of high/low hit variation in combos would add entirely new levels of strategic value to your attacks. I mean, in real life, would you ONLY swing at the face of a man attacking you? Nobody has trouble just holding block. Now, watching for the sudden low attack around the fourth hit of that combo, on the other hand...
8) One more thing I'd like to see in MK is a tag-team function where it required two people on each team. You'd need to each have total mastery of a character to switch on the fly and split combos with each other, similar to what Noob-Smoke does, only with any two characters of your choice.
Or even if Midway limited it to preset team options, but left you about 15 or so teams to choose from, that would be excellent. That way, there'd be a possibility of two-person Fatalities.
An idea of what I mean is:
Baraka/Mileena
Baraka could stand in front of the victim, extend his blades, and swipe one through the enemy's stomach, splitting them horizontally, almost all the way through. Then, he'd bring one down into the top of their head, exiting through the crotch, a vertical split. BUT, before they even have time to fall apart, he steps aside, and Mileena does her trademark "through the floor" drop kick, hitting them in the face, knocking their torso off of their waist, and splitting THAT in two, vertically, as it hits the ground, leaving an intact waistline and legs to collapse, twitching.
9) Finally, I would absolutely love it if Midway should open a site up specifically for fan mail in regards to our ideas and criticism for future MK games. I think we as fans know what we want, and for them to devote a lot of time to reading our opinions, considering the impact of giving them some life, and then applying themselves to making our ideas a reality, that would not only impress me, but make me feel a lot more like MK was "my game".
Just some thoughts. Sorry about the fact that I can't type a short post, but I hate being halfway thorough in my descriptions. If only I could ANIMATE any of this...