The NetherRealm Studios community is anticipating a new game from the storied fighting game developer soon, and many suspectMortal Kombat 12to be its identity. It’s not what fans initially expected due to NRS’ established pattern of releasingInjusticetitles betweenMortal Kombatgames, but evidence has been mounting that the company is returning to its flagship franchise. After what may have been the deliberate leak of aMortal Kombat 12file in a NetherRealm producer’s photo, it became apparent that its announcement was only a matter of time. The reasoning behind rushing toward the nextMortal Kombatiteration is as yet unknown, but the large fanbase isn’t going to complain.
Mortal Kombatis known for its high degree of quality in the fighting game space, especially since the 2011Mortal Kombatreboot. It has a distinct style of gameplay that is easy to pick up, but hard to master, and each entry feels noticeably different. The visuals are cutting edge even bythe standards of other AAA games, and the music, subdued as it has become, remains iconic. The playable cast is full of charisma, and the series’ story modes have put that on full display with better writing than what one expects from a fighting game.Mortal Kombatalready has a lot going for it, thoughMortal Kombat 12can still benefit from looking to its competitors for further inspiration.
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Public Goodwill is Important for Mortal Kombat 12
Mortal Kombatand NetherRealm Studios have generally good relationships with their fans.Mortal Kombatis a hit with casual and competitive crowds, and NRS makes a point of listening to user feedback and showing off its gameplay publicly.Mortal Kombat Xeven had rollback netcode addedalmost a year after launch to benefit long-term players.
However, it still has some PR failings in areas that other games are not dealing with. The past few PC ports for NetherRealm games have all been technically lackluster in some way, and in an age where crossplay is becoming more prominent, one platform shouldn’t be forcibly excluded. There should be a concentrated effort to ensureMortal Kombat 12is optimized for PC at launch.
Preceding or succeeding the issue of ports, depending on the consumer asked, isMortal Kombat 11’s microtransaction controversy. A lot of negative discussions surrounded the game at launch due to it being a full-priced premium game that employed several free-to-play systems, including multiple currencies and a shop that could accept a premium currency. The new Krypt implementing random rewards and requiring some of these currencies made things worse.
However, muddying the issue further was that most of this system never amounted to anything; only a few cosmetic and intended DLC items ever required the shop, and everything else players can grind for (albeit at a snail’s pace) in other modes. It will be best forMortal Kombat 12to either follow the tried-and-true premium design of fighting games or fully commit to beingfree-to-play likeKiller InstinctandBrawlhalla.
RELATED:Everything Mortal Kombat 11 Has Added And Changed Since Its Release
New Directions Mortal Kombat 12’s Singleplayer Could Take
Mortal Kombatis known for pioneering the modern approach to fighting game story modes through the 2011Mortal Kombat 9, and its adventure modes and plentiful minigames werebeloved duringMortal Kombat’s PS2/Xbox era. Few bonus modes will fit into modern entries, but things like story mode, Towers, and the Krypt need to stay.
Accompanying them should be some humble yet novel ways for players to hone their skills, like the online training and player-made combo trials fromGuilty Gear Strive. Therollback release ofGuilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus Radded the ability to assume control mid-replay, which would be an incredible training tool in any game. Another good innovation is theGuitar Hero-like note chartCombo Babiesadded to its combo trials.Mortal Kombat 12could bring this visual aid to a mainstream audience.
None of that will draw in customers like a major singleplayer mode, and possibly a new take on aMortal Kombatstory mode.Mortal Kombat’s recent stories have included different elements like player choices between fights or quick-time events, but they are mostly a series of cutscenes punctuated by battles.
Mortal Kombat 12has several ways to go about making an interesting new story mode, including reverting to the third-person adventure format ofMortal Kombat: Deception’s Konquest mode. Embracing theShaolin Monksbeat-’em-up formatofArmageddon’s Konquest would also be a welcome change of pace. Other modes likeKiller Instinct’s roguelike adventure mode and various fighting games’ survival modes featuring items and upgrades (i.e. Heroes and Heralds fromUltimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3) would also make excellent side attractions.
Mortal Kombat 12 Should Continue Innovating MK’s Gameplay
Finally,Mortal Kombat 12’s gameplay must be addressed, at least regardingMortal Kombat 11. There has been a subtle trend in eighth-console generation fighting games involving scaling back characters and combat systems to deliver more straightforward and consistent experiences. The transition from the comically looseMortal Kombat 9and run cancel-fueledMortal Kombat XtoMortal Kombat 11was keenly felt.
Despite players having more custom Variation options, it felt likecharacters were still losing tools and versatility.Mortal Kombat 11’s later updates started to scale back the restrictions somewhat, parallelingStreet Fighter 5’s similar updates by strengthening its cast in its final season. Still,Mortal Kombat 12will feel like a fresher experience if NRS injects some manic energy back into it.
There are a lot of ways to do this, but one of the most efficient would have to be scaling Variations back to two, or even one, per character. That way, it won’t feel like a given fighter’s options are divided between several versions of themselves, and it potentially makes room for a larger base roster. It’s also the perfect environment to bring backMortal Kombat: Armageddon’s Kreate-a-Fighter, giving players the most control yet over their characters’ move pools.
To fill out the perception of a looser game, optional battle rules bringing backMortal Kombat 9’s tag team mode orInjustice’s holding back to block could be included as unbalanced extras. Enabling them for use in online lobbies would promote fun over strict competition, and might draw in some fighting game fans who prefer those systems. With any luck,Mortal Kombat 12will learn from its franchise’s pastand the advances of competing titles and will be another quality game that fans can enjoy.
Mortal Kombat 12is rumored to be in development.
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