The World of Myth Magazine

Welcome back, fellow gamers. I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe! During this quarantine, I have been working on many different games—even ones I don't necessarily like, just to have a wide variety of experience. Also, I have gotten myself into building mods for both the PC versions of Fallout 4 and Skyrim Special Edition. I found it is not easy, but fun. My greatest success being a craftable radio with my favorite style of music for Fallout 4. However, I also tested out a game from a series I never really hated, for lack of a better term, but never really held my attention. This month, however, I took a deep breath and dove into Mortal Kombat 11 by NetherRealm Studios.

The series got its start in 1992 and, through the years, spawned many sequels, movies, a live-action TV series, cartoons, and even a live-action tour. But it was not without controversy. The highly graphic violence portrayed in the game, the worst of which being the Fatality moves, helped lead to the creation of the ESRB rating system.

To those following the series know there's a very extensive storyline, which in some ways rivals the Star Wars universe as far as storytelling goes. Over the years, many of the MK characters have had their story arcs portrayed in one format or another, typically being mentioned or played out in-game. I admit the tales behind the video game are fascinating, as are the characters themselves. Who wouldn't love playing a guy who could rip his face off and breathe fire at his enemy?

The biggest drawback for me was the fact that the game relies on button mashing. I never seemed to have the finger dexterity to push all the buttons in the right sequence needed to perform all the different fighting moves. Whenever I played, whether it was against the AI, or a friend, I was simply a virtual punching bag. So, like a spoiled little brat, I would toss my controller on the floor, and rage quit.

As I dove into Mortal Kombat 11, I found a feature that helped keep my interest, that being the ability to play through via AI vs. AI. I could experience all of the action with none of the blisters. The only mode you cannot rely on the AI to fight for you is the campaign, which, like the newb I was to the game, was set at easy. This way, I was able to enjoy the storyline without throwing my controller through my television.

Having my characters played by the computer did not impede on the dynamics of the game. There was still a certain amount of strategy when it came to how I would set up the character abilities. I had to take into consideration what items to use, like weapons, masks, and the like, and how to best upgrade each.

To me, the plethora of upgrades and items was one of its bestselling points. Being able to outfit the fighters to look like you'd like, and carry the cool looking weapons you can find and unlock was a lot of fun. But, after a while, it did get just a touch more than boring to me.

That's when I turned to another interesting feature, that being the ability to travel to and throughout the Krypt. The Krypt is a large, maze-like area filled with chests and such, which can be unlocked via coins (money) you earn from the fight matches. Here you can find anything from collectibles to enhancements you can use while fighting in the towers, which brings me to the next feature.

Outside of the campaign, the game offers tower challenges. Here the player has to fight their way up the ladder to the finishing boss. There are many different types of ladder challenges. Some unlock more equipment, while others tell a short story about the character you are playing. I can rightly assume that to those who love the game, of course, having more skill and patience than I can find endless playability to the game.

My favorite part, which is what kept me going as I played, is the vast amount of playable fighters presented in the game. Not only do you get to fight with well-known characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, or Johnny Cage, but NetherRealm Studios added in many iconic characters from outside the game's story. I find it kind of cool that I could fight as Spawn or the Terminator. You can even be Robocop if you wanted to. And as with the vanilla characters, each has its separate move list and finishing moves. Which are, to no wonder, as wicked and bloody as ever.

Now, to me, the replayability is not there. Even though I haven't even scratched the surface of unlocking items and such, I just find it too dull to binge play every day. I can imagine myself going back to it from time to time when I am bored with any other game I have, but I don't crave it. So, in my own humble opinion, I will give the game three and a half stars. It's got its good points, but nothing earth-shattering as I see it.

That's it for this month. As always, you can look me up on Xbox 1 and the PS4 under wickedwisdon66. Perhaps we could find a game to join together. Happy gaming!