Mortal Kombat 11

Mortal Kombat 11 from 2019 by NetherRealm Studios is the series' most ambitious entry yet in terms of storytelling. The story revolves around time manipulation – the villain Kronika wants to restart history and forces both old and new versions of the fighters to face off against themselves. Alongside iconic faces like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Raiden, younger variants of the characters appear for the first time, allowing for bizarre generational duels in which a young Sub-Zero faces off against his older, embittered self. The tone of the story is also darker and more personal than in previous entries, since it revolves heavily around the consequences of decisions the characters made in earlier games in the series.

Gameplay-wise, the game slows the pace down compared to previous entries, emphasizing short, readable combos and a new Fatal Blow system – a single powerful special move per match, available only once the player is at critical health, which brings tension back to fights even in the final second. The return of the Krypt as an elaborate 3D hub world full of unlockable costumes, brutalities, gestures, and items gives the game content outside online matches too, rewarding players for exploration rather than mere grinding. The graphics engine has also pushed detailed damage and Fatality visuals to a new level of realism, so damage to characters visibly accumulates over the course of a match. Seasonal content in the form of the Kombat Pass then expands the game long-term with new fighters from other franchises, such as the Terminator or RoboCop.

Why play: Mortal Kombat 11 is an ideal choice for players who want to follow an elaborate story full of time paradoxes, as well as for those who want to enjoy slower, more tactical fights than in previous entries. The huge amount of unlockable content in the Krypt will also keep busy players uninterested in online multiplayer, and the presence of guest characters from other franchises will please casual pop-culture fans too.