Summary
Mortal Kombat 11wasreleased in April 2019 and received a story expansion and plenty of additional fighters in the form of DLC. The game was popular throughout its life but was followed up in 2023 byMortal Kombat 1, a newer take on the series that features the addition of an assist mechanic with Kameo Fighters.MK1has proven more controversial than previous entries in the series for numerous reasons.Mortal Kombat 11is not free of issues, but the game has enjoyed something of a resurgence since the launch ofMK1, making many fans wonder if the game is worth picking up or returning to in 2024.
Mortal Kombathas led the way forthe fighting game genrein recent years.MKhas offered substantial single-player content sinceMK9and implemented a modern rollback netcode inMortal Kombat Xwhile many other games in the genre are just catching up toMortal Kombatin this regard. NetherRealm has always tried to deliver a complete experience for all different types of players, which makes going back to older entries in the series more appealing than it might be for other franchises.MK1has flashy current-gen graphics and many content updates ahead of it, but those who return toMK11will find a thoroughly modern and feature-rich fighting game as well.
Mortal Kombat 11 Is a Slower Type of Game
Like manyStreet Fighterentries,Mortal Kombat 11is an extremely precise game focused on controlling space.MK11, as a result of this inspiration, is more focused on grounded combat and simple interactions thanMK1,which added more flexibility in the air,Kameo Fighters, and other options to disrupt the slow push and pull of neutral in fighting games.Mortal Kombat 1is a faster-paced game with more variables to worry about at any given time. For fans of more deliberately paced fighters,MK11will probably be a more satisfying game.
MK11 Has Content Worth Returning For
On top of providing a different spin on theMortal Kombatformula from the current entry in the series,MK11has plenty of content that has aged like fine wine. The story mode is excellent, as is the added content of theAftermathexpansion. There is also other single-player content in the form of towers. The online mode is still available as well, andthe PC versionMK11often has more players thanMK1. PlayingMortal Kombat11in 2024 is largely the same experience it was during the height of the game. The graphics aren’t as refined as those of fighting games being released right now, butMK11holds its own.
Is Mortal Kombat 11 Still Worth Playing?
Mortal Kombat 11’s unique take on the franchise means that its single-player content will always be worth returning to, especially for fans of the series' lore, since the story is a pivotal moment in the franchise. Fortunately, as of the start of 2024, the multiplayer is also easy to hop into. As the game ages, it may grow more difficult to find people to play with, but fighting games tend to garner longtime fans.Street Fighter 3: Third Strikewas released in 1999, and it still has a community of dedicated players. Given thatMortal Kombathas helped to define the fighting game genrefor decades now, it isn’t likely forMK11’s player base to dwindle to zero anytime soon.
Mortal Kombat11is a content-packed fighting game with an active community. WhileMK1has been released, many fans still prefer the slower pace and more refined balance of the previous entry. Even now, in 2024, returning toMortal Kombat 11is an easy decision to make. For anyone who wants to play aMKgame but can’t get into the newest entry,MK11is one of thebestMortal Kombatgamesand still stands shoulder to shoulder with other more modern titles in the genre, likeStreet Fighter 6andGranblue Fantasy Versus: Rising.
