Hey, he set me up, man.

Well, ain't that a kick in the Kabals.

Honestly, I can't wait for the game to come out so the discussion about the storyline isn't so confined to the *Spoiler* threads. It feels like there should be more discussion and debate about everything in the reveal here, but it's been surprisingly tame.

Yeah, I'd like to discuss these spoilers, too.

I hate to agree with most of the people on here, but in this case I have to; I was expecting some changes to the status quo, but they just took too many risks too fast. As people have pointed out, there were a LOT of changes made to the MK1 canon, before Raiden even had a chance to change ANYTHING; it just gave it that feel of "Well, this is how it was REALLY supposed to be like", like how George Lucas is handling the original Star Wars Trilogy, now. I also feel they're cribbing a bit too much from the story of Shaolin Monks, which - as we've established - was a horrible attempt to retell the story of MK2.

There's also a huge plot hole that I saw that makes no sense to me.

Also, I get the feeling that Kintaro is the least favorite of the team's Shokan characters;

Overall, I have to agree that the whole storyline sounds like a very, VERY bad attempt at a fix fic, taking the horrifically illogical writing of Armageddon with the idiotic retcons of Shaolin Monks and combining them into, as one person on here so eloquently stated, "Mortal Kombat; One More Day".

I actually like that they established there's racism in the Shokans and the dragon-looking spotted ones are one ethnicity, the ruling ethnicity because the king and prince are that kind, of course. While the tiger striped ones are another.

It finally explains why Kintaro looks the way he does, and I think having a reason to prove he's as good as Goro is really fits his character.

His ending is kinda bullshit though, yeah.

It's not necessarily the rivalry thing that I'm against; in the Malibu Comics, they established Kintaro being jealous of Goro's fame and feeling that he's being left in the guy's shadow, which I admit is a really good motivation for him; it's long been established that the Shokan are a proud people ruled by a concept of "Survival of the Fittest", so proving yourself to be just as strong if not moreso than even the Prince does make sense. What I don't like is that it's racially motivated; in his Armageddon bio, they did say he was from a different tribe of Shokan, but it was one "famed for their brutality", which sounded like they were praised for it. And really, how can someone so looked down upon by the other Shokan net the title of "Scourge of Outworld", even if he is Shao Kahn's personal bodyguard/general? I also don't like how they made him into an egotistical douche; you expect some sort of haughtiness from the Shokan, in general, but saying he's become so blinded by his own inflated ego he'd risk anything to get more prestige? That's rather out of left field, don'cha think?

Funny thing about pride-It often gets you stabbed in the back because some sniveling rat tattles on you to the big cheese.

Nah, it all fits my own understanding of Kintaro's background pretty well.

I know it's not quite canon but I've always pictured Kintaro as a gladiator who enjoys being famous and having his name cheered ever since Shaolin Monks. And I also think the fact that they've elaborated on the two ethnicities and their differences is nothing but a good thing.

I mean, that Armageddon thing that just called his kind "known for their brutality" is ridiculous in its generic-ness. ALL Shokan are reknowned for their brutality, that doesn't tell us anything useful about Kintaro's people.

Establishing a caste system with Prince Goro's kind at the top and Kintaro's as the lower class, on the other hand, DOES tell us more about Kintaro's kind and about the structure of Shokan society. Now he has a REASON to be jealous of Goro and want to prove who the better fighter is. Motive is a good thing.

Besides, a warrior culture can easily have racism. It has sexism too. They may let Sheeva fight and prove herself a warrior, but they also have harems - Goro's got seven wives.

Sometimes all 7 at once.
Goro's a big playa aint' he? Edit: Okay, that's an image I hope I blot out from my memory forever.

Too bad they didn't go into more detail about the Centaurians.

Either way, I think we both agree that it's stupid that, out of all of the Shokan, Kintaro is the only one to get shafted by his killing Shao Kahn. At least he's playable, this time. I wonder if they'll keep his look from MKA or redesign him again. Frankly, I liked his MKA design, much better than simply being a tiger-striped copy of Goro, and if they're really going to keep the caste system thing for the Shokan, having him stay with the MKA design would make sense.

Well...we do get a few more minor tidbits about how their rivalry is actively encouraged by Kahn...but yeah, kinda hard to learn more about the centaurs when none get a role in the damn game 'cause they're too fucking lazy to learn how to animate a 3D Motaro.

Maybe there'll be some pics and text about them in the Krypt though since making pictures of centaurs has to be easier than making models of them. After all, Deadly Alliance made use of its Kontent to flesh out little details better like where Quan Chi got his tattoos, how Shinnok's Amulet works, stuff about the Dragon Medallion and Sub-Zero and Frost's kori powers, etc.

What page has the link on it?

It's really sad.

Right now it doesn't seem likely, since most of the krypt stuff feature concept art, etc.

Speaking of concept art, the first Krypt item I'm unlocking is the Cyber SubZero artwork. Since the stuff in the krypt as of the leak is where the items are currently located, I don't expect it to be in a different coffin..

Lololo, really sad with an angry smiley.

SPIDER, COME LOL AT THIS.

I found it

Not that I'm particularly looking forward to him, I really hope CSZ isn't just some straight up palette swap of Sektor or Cyrax. Talk about lazy.... Edit: I don't lol at everything, you know. lol. God dammit.

My own plan is, since I'm going to be staying with friends out of town to attend a comic-con the week the game comes out, the first few times I play the game won't be on my own console. I'm going to figure out how you unlock everything Cyber Sub-Zero related.

Then, when I get home, I will deliberately avoid ever playing story mode again or doing any of those things. That way, there's no such character unlocked in my copy of the game.

Sounds like a plan, lol.

I actually REALLY enjoyed the new story. It isn't nearly as exhilarating reading it in text form, but I feel like I'll enjoy the story mode more when I see it acted out. I love all the plot turns, and it's taken a turn for the worst for everyone that isn't Quan Chi and Shinnok. So good. A couple things though...

1.)I wanted more from Sheeva.
2.)Can Reptile EVER catch a break? lol

Those were the things that immediately stuck out to me, but once I get my hands on the game I'll be more into it. One thing I do realize though is that this is a fighting game, and I'm not looking to be blown away by plot and mythology. I actually really enjoy MK's mythology, and I think anyone who is going into MK on a high horse and expecting a best selling novel WILL be disappointed. I'm playing this game to fight, and honestly this story is just icing on the cake. I am quite pleased. :)

Reptile needs to man up and start melting heads again. Fact.
I just hope Liu Kang doesn't actually die again.
I like the new super pissed off Kang.

So, wanna talk about these klues?:

VERSUS_KODE_RANDOM_PHRASE1=DON'T DEFEND IN A TEMPLE CORRUPTED WITH SHADOW...

VERSUS_KODE_RANDOM_PHRASE2=THE KRYPT WALLS HOLD SECRETS...

VERSUS_KODE_RANDOM_PHRASE3=WHAT LURKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIT?

VERSUS_KODE_RANDOM_PHRASE4=?SUNOB YTSAOT

VERSUS_KODE_RANDOM_PHRASE5=WHO HIDES IN THE FOREST?

VERSUS_KODE_RANDOM_PHRASE6=MOTARO TRANSFORMATION?!

VERSUS_KODE_RANDOM_PHRASE7=SHE WAITS FOR YOU AT THE TOP OF THE TOWER...

VERSUS_KODE_RANDOM_PHRASE8=THANKS FOR KARING!

1- Probably no blocking in the Temple
2- Probably prizes on the Krypt Walls
3-Reptile or Oni, maybe
4-Bonus Toasty, probably about it being unlockable or something
5-Jade and/or Smoke, maybe
6- Shang's fatality maybe?
7-Mileena's Flesh Pit outfit after beating Challenge Tower
8-Friendship. FRIENDSHIP?!

Sounds like Sheeva got demoted:

"Sheeva is a member of the four-armed Shokan race. Her markings reveal that she is of the royal Draco lineage. Like all Shokan, she pledged her life to Shao Kahn, bringing honor to her race by serving him. During an attack by Edenian rebels on Shao Kahn's fortress, Sheeva fiercely protected Queen Sindel and prevented her capture. She was subsequently appointed Sindel's personal bodyguard until the queen's mysterious death in Earthrealm. Sheeva is now the master jailer of Shao Kahn's oppressive dungeon."

"The Netherrealm has produced many vile beings, but none rival the Arch-Sorcerer Quan Chi. In lieu of Netherrealm demons, he prefers to resurrect deceased warriors for use in his sinister plans. Foremost among them is the tortured Shirai Ryu ninja Scorpion, who is Quan Chi's personal assassin. Quan Chi is building an army of such specters--the purpose of which has yet to be revealed. Another mystery is the sorcerer's involvement in the Mortal Kombat tournament. The Netherrealm has no stake in its outcome, which leads some observers to question his presence....'
I really love Quan Chi's bio for some reason..

He's Quan Chi. That's why.