Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath

IT HAS BEGUN (MK 11 SPOILERS AHEAD)

Before I start talking about the DLC I want to say this, in my original review I felt that Mortal Kombat 11 was something really special. Not only did this game deliver an amazing fighting experience, breathtaking story mode, and crazy updated Krypt…they did right by fans and fixed in-game issues very quickly. NetherRealm Studios turned Mortal Kombat 11 into one of the best fighting games I have ever played. It was definitely a GOTY contender!

After playing the game for a year, I can say these comments still ring true. There have been constant updates and improvements to the gameplay and online version of the game. At this point, I will go as far as saying this is the most stable/non-buggy fighting game I have ever played. I knew the gameplay would get even better over time, but I never knew the story could get any better than it already was.

The story of Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath takes place directly after the events of Mortal Kombat 11’s original story. Liu Kang, with the help of Raiden, has now taken the mantle of the fire god and is Earth Realms’ new protector.  With defeating Kronika, he is also the new Master of Time and has many plans for Earth Realm in this new timeline. Just when things are starting to really look up for the duo the unexpected Trio of Fujin, Nightwolf, and Shang Tsung appear before the two heroes, warning them of things to come.  After a deep discussion, Liu Kang and Raiden decide to help the group fix the timeline and save the realm from utter destruction.

The story has roughly 10 to 12 hours of gameplay, depending on if you want to play through the multiple fighting choices in the story. These choices are just like the ones from the base title, you are given the option to play as one of two fighters. By doing this, you unlock more achievements and gear in the kustomization tree. Although I thought I knew what was going to happen in this story DLC, I was very surprised with some of the occurrences that took place. 

The story of MK11: Aftermath never felt stale for me, the storytelling and pacing was actually on-point and really made me feel like I was part of a cinematic adventure. There are not many studios out there taking the time to expand on the story of a fighting game, but Ed Boon and his amazing team have continued to expand the universe, game after game, and make it something we always want to come back to. 

A ROSTER FULL OF CHARACTER

Fan favorites Sheeva, Fujin, and the shocking addition of RoboCop are the newest additions to the MK 11 roster and boy are they fun to play with. Though Fujin and Sheeva are in the game’s story, RoboCop is just here for fun and man did fans lose their marbles. Some of you might be just a bit too young to remember, but back 1993 the game RoboCop vs The Terminator was released and it had a serious following. With the release of Robocop in MK 11 we can now finally get the follow up we always wanted…in a weird way. They even got the man himself, Peter Weller, to return for his role as Robocop, and it’s all the retro you will ever need.

Sheeva, Fujin, and RoboCop have some great abilities and really make for some well-rounded characters on the roster. Of course, the kustomization for these characters is just as amazing as the characters themselves, but there is one character that just steals the show that was not in this group of DLC characters and his name is Shang Tsung.

Shang Tsung is one of the main focal points in this story, though he is one of the greatest characters in Mortal Kombat, I always felt the games never represented him right…until now. Last year it was announced that Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (the actor who played Shang Tsung in the 1995 movie) would be returning to the role. The addition of Cary Tagawa to the game really made it feel like the Mortal Kombat movie we have always wanted. 

The acting from the whole crew was just perfect and truly shows the true genius behind Ed Boon and his amazing team…but Cary is a whole nother story. This man wasn’t just made for this role…HE IS SHANG TSUNG. I meant it, Cary is honestly one of the most intense actors in the business. Whether he is playing Shang Tsung or even playing Krull from his appearance in the 2001 film Planet of the Apes, Cary always goes above and beyond selling the SOUL of his character.

MY SOUL IS YOURS, NETHER REALMS

Lastly, I want to talk about the addition of new stages and fatalities added to the game. The stages in this game have always been something to marvel at. Hell, even the stages from Mortal Kombat 1 we’re pretty epic. With each game, the level design tells a story…so even if you never played the story mode, the world still feels alive. 

With the new DLC comes two former stages and one new stage that helps you relive the days of old. Klassic Dead Pool and Soul Chamber arenas are back and looking more horrifying than ever, but the brand new stage is the RetroKade arena. This stage showcases stages from past Mortal Kombat games while also showcases some of the items NetherRealms studios has worked on and has in their own office! I know to some this might not be that big of a deal, but it is just another thing showcasing how much the team loves their games and their fans.

Stage Fatalities have also come back with the DLC and you can’t miss out on this grotesque add-on. There is nothing better than fighting someone online on a stage like Dead Pool and finishing them with a klassic stage fatality. Friendship has also been brought back, giving the player a chance to perform and act of kindness instead of brutally killing their opponent. This is really cool to add back to the game and is the perfect addition for anyone that trolls when they win a match! 

OVERALL

Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath is what DLC should be in every game, not just a few texture packs and a small story. For $39.99 you’re pretty much buying a sequel to Mortal Kombat 11. The story, new stages, characters, and more make this a must-buy for any gamer. MK11 Aftermath breathes more life into an already flourishing game and puts this game on the top of the list for me. This expansion has reinforced why Mortal Kombat 11 was my favorite game in the series and the best fighting game I have ever played! Ed Boon and the team at NetherRealms really love their fans and it shines through with the DLC.