The launch of Mortal Kombat 1 is very close and in order to ensure optimal performance in their online modes, NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Games gave some players access to their online stress test. I had the opportunity to test it and I was able to get an idea of how its servers work but I also took the opportunity to give it a look before its launch. Although the test was brief, I did notice big changes in Mortal Kombat 1 that I will share with you in this article. Please note that the game will be released on September 19, so it is likely that this trial version and the final version will have some differences.
Video: Mortal Kombat 1: list of CHANGES that take it to a WHOLE NEW level
meters and resources
In Mortal Kombat 1 there is a bar with 3 segments that will be filled with our actions in the battle. Its operation is simple: the segments are spent to amplify the effect of a special attack or stop a combo with a Breaker. The latter is an emergency move well known to fans that returns to save us from a beating that seemed inevitable. To activate the Breaker we will have to invert the entire bar and the Kameo fighter must be available. The Breaker is very useful but somewhat expensive, since you will have to sacrifice all your resources to reduce your opponent’s punishment and temporarily get out of trouble.
How you remember, Mortal Kombat 11 included several systems that tried to balance the game and in the process affected the characteristic aggression of Mortal Kombat-X. Most of this system was removed, starting with the bars that controlled offensive and defensive mechanics.
This new system in Mortal Kombat 1 allows you to focus on the battle without so many distracting meters. It also helps combos run their course without as many interruptions and the advantage is clearer when the opponent is lying on the ground. This prevents you from having to guess your opponent’s next move and losing your turn on offense due to an unexpected attack.
Modifications and absences
The Breakaway that allowed you to fall faster to avoid taking more damage, the ways to get up by turning or with an invulnerable attack and the mini jump to try to open the guard above were removed. I think the most drastic change is the lack of the Krushing Blow, those devastating moves and character traits that activated when certain conditions were met and were a useful tool for extending combos. These movements became iconic in Mortal Kombat, as it happened with the X-ray movements. However, even though they are gone, the magic of seeing bones crack and organs shatter with a blow was preserved.
If you spent many hours playing Mortal Kombat 11you will notice that the control feels different with all these absences in Mortal Kombat 1. At first glance, this reboot seems to be slower but that depends on the style of both players, there are many options that allow you to play cautiously or go straight to the attacks.
Fatal Blow: all in one
For this installment, the Fatal Blows were kept, which can be activated when you have 30% health or less and are different, depending on the Kameo Fighter you use. They are a secret weapon with which you can turn the fight around because they deal brutal damage in seconds. You can rest easy: they are attacks as exaggerated and violent as ever; in fact, fractures and sudden approaches to tissues and jets of blood are still present.
It is interesting to see that the Kameo Fighters use their signature attacks in succession with the character you have chosen to fight. The only thing that seems strange to us is that, at the time of activation, their priority is irregular. When we played, sometimes the fatal blow absorbed the opponent’s attacks and was able to hit without a problem, and other times it was simply interrupted by the opponent with a hit.
reinforced defensive system
Mortal Kombat 1 brings back some mechanics to strengthen defense. We start with the Flawless Block, which rewards precision when blocking. This system opened a window to counterattack, and now simply prevents chip damage, that is, the damage when blocking an attack is reduced to 0.
There is also a system for you to get up more slowly after a fall; the time is fixed and can affect the opponent’s strategy. Another option is to get up with an armor-enhanced attack, but that depends on each character, and can be very different from case to case. The last option is to call your Kameo Fighter to attack while standing up, almost like a surprise attack.
In addition, there is an addition called upblock, a more technical system that allows you to absorb an air attack while you press defense and up; in this way, the effect of the blow vanishes and the opponent is left unprotected. In case of failure, the opponent can punish you for your bad prediction. This adds a risk factor that can be well rewarded if you block well or lose up to a round for making a bad decision.
Kameo Fighters: your best allies
Now let’s go to the stars of Mortal Kombat 1: the Kameo Fighters, who arrive with a load of nostalgia for the most veteran fans. They are key pieces in the whole fight and their function is similar to that of other games with assists, but with interesting details.
The first thing is that they have various forms of attack and you can choose them depending on which directional button you press. For example, Sonya can launch herself through the air with a punch, charge up her energy ring and throw it directly, or make her famous scissor grab of hers. Each character is very different and it is key for the combos to be longer. With Jax’s grab you can amplify his damage if you press a button at the right moment when he slams the enemy to the ground.
The test included Kano, Sonya and Jax, all with different and fun attacks that invite you to experiment. His appearance, attacks and fatalities take us back in time with references to the first games in the series.
The Kameo Fighters will be present at all times, and when you do a forward grab your helper will do it for you. The Fatal Blow will be different for everyone and they even have their own Fatality. Their uses will be very varied and we are excited to think about everything we can do with them in the final version of the game. If something is clear to us, it is that Mortal Kombat 1 your imagination will fly
Aerial game and more creative combos
The combo system changed a lot. For example, while it retains the focus of keeping the opponent in a barrage of blows until he hits the ground, there are now more aerial options. Each character is armed with preset combos to follow your chains once the opponent is airborne. This allows the opponent to be bounced back and forth or finished off with a flurry of fireballs, in Liu Kang’s case. Also, you can call in a Kameo Fighter to expand the number of hits.
This new structure is nice, but if you’re not used to tag games it may take a while to get used to it. The trade comes in handy for the franchise after trying to add defensive options in Mortal Kombat 11 That affected the pace of the game. Players appreciate that a game gives us the freedom to explore and use our imagination to create combos or attack routes.
The best part is that it seems that some characters will also have special properties. For example, Kenshi, the swordsman with mystical abilities, will be able to summon an ancestor with his Sento sword and use it as an extension of himself. Something like Zato-1 in Guilty Gear -Strive- who fights alongside Eddie separately. I hope there are more characters that offer something different than what we are used to.
home fatalities
This test version included a single player mode with the classic towers that let me get to know the characters a bit, however, the original intention was to test the game online. After some practice time, I decided to face other players online and the first day I had a mixed experience; In most cases, I was able to fight without a problem but in others, the battles stopped dead. On one occasion I was able to play against SonicFox, the best player in Mortal Kombat and many other fighting games. Unfortunately, the system logged us out after the first round.
The next few days the experience improved, and while I did notice subtle issues like ghosting in the background, the disconnections didn’t recur. This makes me have faith that NetherRealm Studios and their team will continue to support their servers. It was a good decision to include rollback netcode to ensure the best gaming experience. By the way, if you are a competitive player and you are worried about playing in the right conditions, the system will show you if the players are connected by Wi-Fi or Ethernet, so you can decide whether to take the fight or not.
Quitality also returned, a way to humiliate the opponent by leaving the game. Also, if you finish off with the right hit you can finish off a Brutality’s opponent; these finishers are part of the magic of Mortal Kombat and expect to see many extreme ways to take down the enemy.
Clean slate
In conclusion, Mortal Kombat 1 is a hemoglobin party that has paid a lot of attention to detail to please its fans and, along the way, implement a cleaner and more versatile system. Its realistic appearance shows situations ranging from the grotesque to black humor, always keeping in mind that it is pure fiction. We like that, despite the fact that violence and the universe created by Ed Boon are the letter of introduction, Mortal Kombat 1 he strives to experiment with new elements such as the Kameo Fighters. It is clear that the intention is that the control is more accessible and is full of options for you to exploit your creativity.
Related video: Mortal Kombat 1: first impressions
Editorial: Gaming / Facebook / Twitter / Youtube / instagram / News / discord /Telegram / Google news
