Mortal Kombat X is the latest title in the long-running franchise, and according to many in the gaming world, this one could actually be the best of them all.
The only problem could be the addition of microtransactions — we just can't see why they're necessary. Microtransactions allow players to perform certain feats that take memory and skill. If a player has no idea how to do an easy fatality move, he or she could easily pay on the spot ($1 for five fatalities) to have their character perform the move.
If this is what easy fatalities have come to, then we would rather see them done away with completely. What is the point of allowing players to pay for something they could learn to do themselves — something that has only become easier to execute over the years? That's right, it's pointless — aside from making the game an extra buck.
On the other hand, this could be a good thing for casual players who have no cares other than enjoying the game — even if it costs them extra.
Apart from the draconian microtransactions, cricitcs appreciate that there are variations of every character that give them different gameplay styles. For example, there are three variations of Sub Zero, and with each option, the character can do different things. The variations are as follows:
- Cryomancer
- Unbreakable
- Grandmaster
Cryomancer allows Sub Zero to summon ice weapons, Unbreakable gives him the ability to use a frozen aura and a barrier of frost, and Grandmaster gives him the option to use ice clones.
These variations increase the replay ability of Mortal Kombat X, because chances are that players will want to try out every aspect of every character. We have to say, variations might be the best thing this game has going for it —something other fighting games have yet to do.
Here's what the critics had to say:
IGN: "Story only matters so much in a fighting game. Combat is king, and there's a ton of depth to mine from Mortal Kombat X. A much-needed transfusion of new blood, along with the ability to choose between three variations of every character means we'll be learning, grinding, and discovering for a long time to come. Its universe keeps getting harder and harder to take seriously, and its microtransactions are borderline gross, but Mortal Kombat X is a great fighting game all the same."
PC World: "If you liked Mortal Kombat IX, I think you'll like X. It's in many ways the same game, albeit bolstered by lessons NetherRealm learned in both MK9 and Injustice: Gods Among Us. The Story Mode is smoother, the interface is cleaner, the action and animations are more fluid."
Polygon: "Mortal Kombat X is friendly both to casual players who want to experience its rich suite of single-player content and knock around with some friends, but deep enough for competitive players who want to plumb its roster and variations. It's a robust, feature-rich competitive fighting game that hones what's worked for NetherRealm Studios in past games, and even shows hints of restraint and maturity amidst the gory hyper-violence. Paired with an ambitious online meta-game, Mortal Kombat X is one of the best fighting games in the series."
USGamer: "Mortal Kombat X offers everything a fan could ask from except possibly their favorite character. The graphics and animations received a huge boost thanks to the power of the new consoles, and while not perfect, the net code is vastly improved over previous NetherRealm fighting games. The story mode has been streamlined to make it shorter, but it still retains the cinematic flare fans have come to expect. Faction Wars add an additional layer of polish, even if they aren't as impactful as NetherRealm intended, and Test Your Luck will provide hours of fun for more casual players."
.....
At the end of the day, Mortal Kombat X is a great fighting game. The exceptional aspects, like variations, far outweigh the frustration of microtransactions.
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page.
