her hair is too fuckin loooonnngggg.. the MK2 Kitana was great.

First of all, your English is atrocious. "Far more enjoying"? What the hell does that mean? What kind of person thinks it's a good idea to argue with someone when they can't even speak properly?

Secondly, the tale a game tells remains in the mind of the player FAR longer, and encourages them to buy the sequel to find out what happens next, far better than it's gameplay, so your argument is self-defeating.

Your opinion on Ashrah is fair. Personally, I didn't mind the character. I didn't like her, per se, but I felt there was something that stood out about her, and I admired that. Havik was definitely a winning character, but I think the Seido/Chaosrealm stuff was way too quickly introduced. Hotaru could have very easily just been Onaga's revived general, and Dairou his chief assassin. Instead, all these characters seemed somewhat disconnected from everything. I think Kobra had a cool feel, but his story was very...bland. I'd have liked to see him as someone fighting for good. A support for Shujinko, who really could have been treated better himself. Kira had potential for a follow-up to Deception, but I didn't find her particularly interesting in the game itself.

Just a bunch of random thoughts there, sorry. That being said, I sort of see Sareena as fitting in with those new characters who didn't really feel connected to the story. I don't feel she is particularly worse nor particularly better than Ashrah, but I liked Ashrah's appearance more.

As for the romance between Sub-Zero and Sareena, I hope it doesn't go anywhere. Just something I am still trying to figure out, though -- does Sareena actually know that the younger Sub-Zero is not the same Subby she met once upon a time? Scorpion got confused between the two, and I'm not sure she ever saw the older brother without his gear on, so she could very well assume that the two are one in the same. If she does know that they are not the same person, does she know that Noob Saibot is the older brother she used to have eyes for, and if so, what does she think about his fall?

If she is yet to discover these things, I think there is something genuinely interesting there. That would mean that Noob Saibot would logically have to return for the next series of games, which is actually fine with me.

As for the games going back to the tournament plots -- I think that is for the best. Things got very...chaotic when the games deviated from that. And while it does make sense to have allies, you quickly find that the character count goes up very fast. Is including a character like Sareena more important than including a more iconic character?



The "the MK Team is right to focus on gameplay" argument would have more validity if the gameplay actually got deeper, and became something outstanding for the series. The truth is, it's not. What helps MK stand out are the images associated with the game. The life or death dramatic importance for the fights within the game, the blood, the way it seems almost cocky about its gore, the booming voices and almost cheesy colour palette.

The actual control system, staying true the science of martial arts, being historically accurate, etc. are not MK's main prerogative. It's a straw-man argument to deflect someone's comment of "the story is horrible" with "well, they focus on the gameplay" when the gameplay is nothing to write home to mother about, either. I'm not bashing the game, in fact this installment sounds like a fun throwback to the retro installments, but I just don't think people should dismiss the story as they do.



I'm surprised that sex has not been as mined by the MK Team as it could theoretically be. I mean, I'm not saying the game *should* be pornographic, but violence and sex are two things that really gets thee 18-34 year old demographic's testosterone pumping, and let's face it, that's the main target demographic of the Mortal Kombat series.

It seems that Liu Kang and Kitana are involved in a relationship, but I'm surprised we haven't have a "slutty" female character yet. Most of the female characters dress it, but for the most part, they can't be linked to a male character. Or they usually are limited to just one associate. A female that used her body to earn the trust of male characters, and then spring an attack on them could actually be very cool. In some ways, it actually seems like the MK series is afraid of sex. I mean, seriously, "relationships" in Mortal Kombat? Kitana should be a little more cynical than that, after spending 10,000 years dealing with men.

Shifting gears a little bit, though, Kitana being a little wiser than Liu Kang, and trying to keep him at an arm's length while also trying to protect him like a big sister would could actually be a nice touch for the story. Instead, it seems like they've gone completely lovey-dovey with them. The idea of Raiden becoming infatuated with a mortal is also intriguing. There are possibilities in the lustful minds of some of the characters.

And, yes, I do agree. Kitana and Taven would make a much more appropriate pairing than Liu Kang and Kitana. Perhaps the story could even lean that way, and give us a somewhat jealous Liu Kang?

Changing the subject already? That's quick, sorry I made you to. If my English is [i]that[/i] incomprehensible, I guess you just follow your own adivce and stop replying.



That's the same for fighters, right? Tsk tsk. This might hold some merits to some games (no other fighter that I'm aware of though), but this time around Midway can't afford that their game ends up on a dusty shelf before the end of the week. Just ask yourself why they chose this route to begin with.
And just for your information, it's its. Wft does "far better than it is gameplay" mean? Nice own goal there.

I'm pretty sure that MKDA Tournament Edition established that Sareena knows the current Sub-Zero is not the one she met in Mythologies. As far as I know though, she doesn't yet know that the elder became Noob Saibot.

And actually, Mileena has in the past several games been portrayed as something of a seductress. She usually makes some sort of slutty remark before fighting. Tanya was supposed to be something of a seductress in MK4 as well, but it was almost imperceptibly subtle, and directed at Liu Kang who never would've noticed it anyway.

Kang probably did have Kung Lao on the mind...

I was thinking of Tanya, but she does seem like more of an intellectual seductress. It was very subtle what she was doing with Liu Kang. I hadn't noticed that about Mileena, but it doesn't surprise me. I'm torn on whether her character should have animal-like sexual urges, or whether she is disgusted, repulsed, insulted or even a little self-conscious (it does seem her character has a bit of a complex with Kitana's beauty) about sex. Although not terribly important in relation to how effect Mileena is at the Mian Chuan fighting style, these sort of things would help map out the psychological state of the character a little bit more.

Thanks for that information on Sareena. I wasn't too sure. Tournament Edition did end up being canon, didn't it? It's sort of more interesting that Sareena does know that younger Sub is, in fact, younger Sub, actually. A lot less messy.

Yes, Tournament Edition is definitely canon. TE is where Sektor formed the Tekunin, for instance.

The story definitely does play a role in the game but a secondary one, at the end I need something more realistic which is what I'm seeing and playing with.

I first liked Kitana because of her weapon, steel fans how you play with them and they sound sharp and her mysterious veil that hides her beauty.
Then Batman, he's not just strong but I like the feeling and sound effects while playing with him, I can feel his power. Also, people usually tell me that I look a bit like Val Kilmer who once appeared as Batman

Also, if I recall correctly it mentions Noob Saibot poisoning Goro.

Yes, I figured it would be canon. It was a side project, though, so you can never be too sure. For example, they could take some things as canon there, and complete ignore others. There were only minor changes to the story (I think Sareena, Sektor and Noob Saibot were the only characters added), I believe, so it should all be sweet.

I was thinking that, but doesn't Kitana bury Goro as part of her story at the start? I'm thinking that might be a detail from the Konquest mode, and that Noob Saibot just didn't get included in the game until Tournament Edition.

TE did add only Sareena, Sektor, and Noob, but all three characters' plots were continued on in Deception and Armageddon, just like Unchained then did with Kitana, Jax, Frost, and Blaze.

Also, I just looked it up (Kombat Pavillion has the text from all of DA's konquests) and MKDA made no mention anywhere of Noob Saibot. It was TE that established he was the one who (seemingly) killed Goro.

I know. You're right. It may not be worth it since she's not a major character. I was just saying that it's possible for her to become purposeful, useful, etc. again. That's all. It is possible for her and any other stale characters.

On Sareena, I think her story is indeed too similar to both Ashrah and Li Mei. Inner struggles between good and evil. But I am quite fascinated by Ashrah's story. I think it has the most potential for an interesting climax and conclusion. She is the only character whom I want to see return solely for her story. All other characters I like mainly for their look and moves, but Ashrah and Nitara's stories are like WOW to me and want them to return just to see their stories continued, that's how good I think they are.

I don't understand why Nitara didn't return for Deception. I guess she did find peace in her DA story, but it seemed so wasteful to include a character and then just forget about her. I felt she controlled too slow as a character, but her image did indeed have legs. They could have at least kept her indirectly involved in the storyline by having a new vampire character sent to stop Onaga as a preemptive strike by the vampires, knowing that their realm may be in danger.

Li Mei is really winning me over as a character, although I feel we have seen the last of her. The fact that she now has the same training as Liu Kang and Kung Lao would really imply she has what it takes to be Outworld's major protagonist, just as Edenia has Kitana. They certainly improved her image for Deception from Deadly Alliance, and changing her weapons from the Sai helped.

I suspect Li Mei's Deception ending came true, only to have the forces of light kill her before fighting Onaga.

Why else would she have been in the Netherealm in Armageddon Konquest? Even if that was just an illusion created by Shinnok, why would Shinnok choose THAT particular warrior, unless it was one he was already familiar with, because she dwelled in his realm? Li Mei would otherwise be beneath his notice as a relatively unimportant figure in the universe.

I dunno, I could be wrong. That's just my interpretation and I'm sure Li Mei fans will disagree because the idea of her giving in to the darkside or becoming the "Dragon Queen" doesn't seem too popular among them. Either way, I think Ermac makes a better "Main Hero of Outworld" anyway. He's actually powerful enough to do a good job of it, for one thing.

I would like to see Ermac become more important to the story. I've always liked Ermac. He's a very interesting character with a lot of unused potential. He could be Outworld's Liu Kang but without zombification and high pitched yelling

now where's the fun in that?

Ermac has his own totally awesome way of talking in plurals with an echo like Venom. That's where the fun is.

I think you may be reading a little too much into that little occurrence of Li Mei being used as an illusion warrior for Shinnok. It seems like a very random detail to me. But if you had told me that the flaming Johnny Cage model in the background of The Pit stage in Mortal Kombat II turned out to be the final boss of the era, I probably would have told you to get off the crack, so who knows?

That being said, I do think Li Mei could have succumbed to her dark urges. It would add some more sadness to the character -- who just cannot seem to win, can she? I can understand why Li Mei fans wouldn't want to see it happen, though. Kitana fans don't like seeing her turned into a damsel in distress, or being taken over by the Rage (or whatever it is called) so easily; so I can understand why Li Mei fans wouldn't want her to be at the mercy of her "evil taint."

Xia wrote a story for Li Mei, and I think Mei returned in it, having killed Bo' Rai Cho due to her bitch-virus, and then fought it off, and regretted being so weak, or something. Maybe I recall incorrectly. If Li Mei returned with that story, I would be very happy. It is tragic, and would create a conflicted character.

On that note -- I see Ermac as a tragic character, too. He was created by Shao Kahn out of the souls of many warriors (which makes him like 1000x a martial arts genius, which is very cool), and never really had a past or a life of his own. When he's freed, he tries to do good, and if he succeeds, more power to him. He's a great character that deserves a happy ending. A sad ending for Ermac would be quite poignant, though. If Shao Kahn created Ermac, who is to say that he could not destroy him? Ermac confronting Kahn during Armageddon, and finding Kahn's bind over him restored -- or even being absorbed by Kahn to give the fallen Emperor the strength he needs to survive Armageddon -- would be so tragic for Ermac.

If he did become the Champion of Outworld, or whatever, I would not complain. It is a nice arc for the character to follow, but there are many things they could do with the guy. He's got a lot of potential. Sadly, I think it upstages Kenshi, who has a more unique look (as far as the Mortal Kombat universe goes), and had a lot of potential in the story himself.

I don't agree with anyone who says having both Ermac and Kenshi is redundant. They only share two damn moves, and those can be changed. Nobody ever thought less of Reptile for having Sub-Zero's slide.

I dont usually agree with these kinda threads but you got alot of valid points, i was playing as Kitana earlier and it didnt feel right.
and its so true how shes never had a different look, how hard could be to have her wearing pants or a long sleeved top or a princesses gown. she should go more royal in appearence in the next game. she is a princess afterall.

No gowns please! lol. She's already too delicate in appearance as is.
She needs a more bad ass look. An ensemble that says I am not to
be messed with. Leave the regal, elegant stuff for the throne room.

why is everyone moaning and complaining about kitana when its us reptile and johnny cage fans who should complain they weren't even referenced in the game and there 5 times more recognizable than kitana reptile was the first hidden character in a fighting game and with a story like his he would have been one of the few good characters with a good ending as for johnny cage he was the ONLY ONE out of the original 7kombatants not to show up in this game so be happy kitana was even in the game

Please, do not tell me to be happy she is in the game. They screwed
her over and there is nothing to be happy about. If she's gonna be
included then she has to do more than just stand around and look
like an idiot. Now answer me this, if Reptile was in the game, but then
say they changed everything you know about his behavioral traits, and
turned him into a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle or something stupid,
would you "just be happy he's in the game" or would you be pissed
that they raped him and his story and everything he stands for.

"5 times more recognizeable"? You seriously believe that? Come on, man. Live in the real world.