Info about Mortal Kombat 11 Shao Kahn:

Official game description:
Play as Shao Kahn, fully playable character.  
Emperor of Outworld. For millennia, Shao Kahn dominated the realms, rapidly expanding his Empire by conquest. But when he set out to claim Earthrealm, he was blocked by the rules of Mortal Kombat. Deterred but determined, Shao Kahn demands absolute victory.

Release date: Apr 23, 2019

Categories: Fighting Game, Character-based Combat, Single-player, PvP, Loot and Grinding, Character Customization

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: Fair; summary: The reviews focus exclusively on Shao Kahn as a pre-order bonus and separately sold DLC character. Complaints center on the practice of day-1 cut content and a bundle ownership issue, but there is no evidence of microtransactions, loot boxes, pay-to-win mechanics, or real-money currencies. A few reviewers even consider the DLC fair and worthwhile. Overall, the monetization is limited to traditional DLC and pre-order content, which is not predatory by the given criteria.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $2.00 - $4.00
  - Reasoning: The first review suggests the game is only worth buying with disposable income, implying a low priority. The second explicitly rejects the current ~6 EUR price as too high. Both indicate the community perceives the base game as overpriced, so a fair range should be well below 6 USD, likely around 2-4 USD.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The only explicit playtime claim is 100 hours in Mortal Kombat 11, but it refers to the base game overall and does not specify time dedicated to the Shao Kahn DLC. The story mode mention indicates the game has chapter-based progression, but no completion time for Shao Kahn content is provided. Thus, no reliable playtime metric for the DLC can be estimated.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Shao Kahn Loyalist (buy)
    - Motivation: To play as the iconic villain Shao Kahn regardless of gameplay strength
    - Playstyle: Relies on brute-force aggression and iconic moves, tolerates tier shortcomings for character authenticity
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: fan of Shao Khan
    - Reference games: Mortal Kombat
  - Gameplay Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: To execute satisfying combos and high-damage aggressive tactics
    - Playstyle: Aggressive, rushdown, focus on stringing combos and using specials
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Monetization Critic (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To obtain content fairly without repeated charges or devalued pre-order bonuses
    - Playstyle: Grinds for in-game currency and completion, cautious about future DLC purchases
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: pre-orderer
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Iconic and powerful character (weight 0.65): Shao Kahn is praised as an iconic, memorable, and powerful character in the series, with multiple players highlighting his significance in the lore and his role as a formidable antagonist. His brutalities and overall presence are noted as spectacular and imposing.
- General positive recommendations (weight 0.53): Overall, Shao Kahn is recommended and considered playable, with some mentioning that he is cool and worth having. The character's inclusion is seen as a positive addition to the game.
- Excellent gameplay integration (weight 0.5): Players report that Shao Kahn fits well into the roster and works effectively in gameplay, with improvements across various aspects making him feel great to play. His combos, damage output, and overall effectiveness are consistently highlighted as strong points.
- Fun and satisfying to play (weight 0.39): Many reviewers describe Shao Kahn as fun, enjoyable, and spectacular to use, with positive mentions of his friendship move and the overall entertainment value of playing as him. His ease of use and accessibility are also praised.
- Easy and powerful combos (weight 0.26): Shao Kahn has easy combos with high damage, making him accessible to players while still being powerful and effective. His fighting style combines brute force with devastating abilities.
- Diverse special moves (weight 0.25): Shao Kahn's kit includes a variety of effective special moves, such as a hammer throw with krushing blow, a fast long-range spear throw, and a shoulder charge with a spear variant. This versatility makes him effective across different combat scenarios.
- High-quality customization options (weight 0.24): Shao Kahn offers unique customization options, including costumes, helmets, and hammers, with gear changes for hammer, spear, and helmet. His visual and customization offerings are considered among the best in the game.
- Impressive fatalities and brutalities (weight 0.24): His finishing moves are described as works of art, with impressive fatalities and brutalities that provide visually satisfying spectacles, including tearing enemies apart with bare hands. Brutalities are noted to dominate in number.
- Satisfying and impactful attacks (weight 0.21): The character's heavy-hitting attacks, command grabs, and impact feedback are described as powerful and satisfying, with one of the best hitting feedbacks in the game. Players appreciate the visceral feel of his hammer strikes and the damage they deal.
- Good voice work and taunts (weight 0.2): Shao Kahn's voice actor is praised for doing a great job, and his taunts can strengthen the player or weaken enemies. His voice lines and ability to mock opponents are considered good features.
- Hammer-based combat is enjoyable (weight 0.19): Players enjoy using Shao Kahn's big hammer to smash everything, with the hammer being a central part of his combat style. His fights with the hammer are noted as enjoyable and effective.
- Enhanced by Aftermath update (weight 0.17): The character received significant buffs after the Aftermath update, which made him more fun and improved his performance. Players note that the DLC introduces new mechanics and combos, allowing for varied strategies.
- Faithful design and animations (weight 0.16): Shao Kahn's design is a faithful homage to the original character, featuring detailed armor and an imposing physique. His animations are excellent, and his fighting style combines brute force with devastating abilities.
- Effective in competitive play (weight 0.16): Shao Kahn is noted as a good character for Kombat League, with high performance and long attack range. His presence and power make him a viable choice for competitive players.
- Meaningful DLC integration (weight 0.16): The DLC integrates meaningfully into the game's narrative, enriching the story, and Shao Kahn brings the ruler of Outworld with conquering ambitions. The content is described as quite fun and worth having in the collection.
- Interesting Krypt improvements (weight 0.12): The Krypt has become much more interesting in this game compared to previous titles, though this point is less focused on Shao Kahn specifically. Players mention this as a general positive aspect of the DLC experience.
- No pay-to-win mechanics (weight 0.12): The game has no pay-to-win mechanics, as currency can be earned in-game, and all equipment and skins are purely cosmetic and do not affect combat. This is a positive point for players concerned about fairness.
- Unlockable through progression (weight 0.11): Shao Kahn unlocks automatically with the definitive version, and Frost is unlockable through story progression. This provides clear pathways for players to access these characters.
- Shao Kahn is overpowered (weight 0.07): Some players consider Shao Kahn to be very overpowered, which is seen as a positive or negative depending on the player. This reflects his strength and dominance in combat.
- Exclusive preorder content (weight 0.06): There is an exclusive character received via preorder that others cannot get, which some players mention as a notable aspect. This can be a point of contention for some fans.

Common complaints:
- Shao Kahn paywall criticized (weight 0.59): Multiple complaints highlight that Shao Kahn, originally a pre-order bonus, is sold separately as DLC for extra cost. This practice is seen as unfair, especially for those who already purchased premium editions.
- Shao Kahn weak gameplay (weight 0.4): Many players consider Shao Kahn to be slow, weak, and low-tier, with poor frame data and punishable attacks. He is often compared unfavorably to other characters in the roster.
- Shao Kahn pre-order exclusivity broken (weight 0.29): Players are upset that the pre-order exclusive character was made available to everyone shortly after release, undermining the value of pre-ordering. Some note it was even on sale at launch.
- Character pack inclusion requested (weight 0.21): Players expect Shao Kahn to be included in premium editions or character packs, rather than sold individually. The current pricing model is seen as nickel-and-diming.
- Shao Kahn not in base game (weight 0.21): Even with the full game and Kombat Pack, Shao Kahn is not included, which is seen as a major oversight. Players expect such iconic characters to be part of the base roster.
- Single character DLC overpriced (weight 0.2): Charging a steep price for a single character is considered unjustified, especially when similar content is available in larger packs. The cost is a point of contention.
- Shao Kahn voice acting criticized (weight 0.19): The voice acting for Shao Kahn is considered mediocre, with some preferring the original MK9 voice actor. This detracts from the character's presence.
- Shallow content offering (weight 0.19): The DLC content is shallow, offering only one character with no story expansion, new stages, or additional game modes. This is seen as a poor value proposition.
- Cut content concerns (weight 0.17): Shao Kahn is perceived as cut content because he appears in the story and has a Krypt chest, yet is sold separately. This fuels criticism of the monetization strategy.
- Shao Kahn lacks damage (weight 0.16): Shao Kahn's damage output is lower than other characters, and his krushing blow requirements are considered laughable. This makes him less rewarding to play.
- Shao Kahn neglected by developers (weight 0.16): Players feel that Shao Kahn has been largely ignored by developers, receiving few buffs and remaining at the bottom of the tier list. This neglect affects his long-term playability.
- Pre-order practice criticized (weight 0.16): The practice of pre-order DLC is harmful, as it encourages early purchases without guaranteeing true exclusivity. This is a broader industry issue highlighted by Shao Kahn's case.
- Shao Kahn difficult to master (weight 0.15): Shao Kahn has a high learning difficulty and is not well-suited for high-level competitive play. His moves are predictable and easily punished by experienced players.
- Frost also sold separately (weight 0.15): Frost, another character unlockable in story mode, was also sold separately, adding to the criticism of monetization. This pattern is seen as exploitative.
- Shao Kahn poor projectiles (weight 0.12): Shao Kahn's projectiles are described as slow and useless, making his zoning ineffective. This further weakens his competitive viability.
- In-game currency gate (weight 0.11): Shao Kahn must be purchased to complete tower missions, and not owning him blocks other content and coin farming. This creates a pay-to-progress feeling.
- Shao Kahn design disliked (weight 0.1): Shao Kahn's appearance without his helmet is described as ogre-like, and his skins lack variety. This is a cosmetic complaint that affects player satisfaction.
- Other characters deemed weak (weight 0.1): Other characters like Sub-Zero and Kabal are also considered weak or unnecessary, indicating broader balance issues. This is a common concern among players.
- Technical issues with DLC (weight 0.06): Some players experience black screens and crashes when accessing the exclusive content, suggesting technical instability. This further reduces the value of the DLC.

Gameplay feedback:
- Shao Kahn playable character (weight 0.4): Multiple clusters confirm Shao Kahn is a playable character with gear customization and availability in all standard modes, including story mode in the definitive version. He is described as a standalone character rather than part of the Kombat Pack.
- Hammer-based heavy attacks (weight 0.25): Shao Kahn's combat style revolves around his signature giant hammer, delivering heavy, long-reaching strikes. Players describe it as using a hammer against nails, emphasizing his brute strength.
- Frost unlockable via story (weight 0.21): Frost is unlockable after completing chapter 4 of the story mode, as noted in both clusters. This provides a clear unlock path for players.
- Slow but powerful playstyle (weight 0.21): Shao Kahn is slow and heavy but extremely powerful, with heavy-hitting attacks and long reach. He is weak against fast, agile characters, making him a high-risk, high-reward choice.
- Unique moveset and finishers (weight 0.17): Shao Kahn has his own moveset including Fatal Blows, Fatalities, and Brutalities, with over-the-top and bloodthirsty finishers. This adds to his character identity in combat.
- Lore and background (weight 0.15): Shao Kahn is described as the ruler of Outworld for a thousand years who failed to conquer Earthrealm due to Mortal Kombat rules. This background informs his aggressive fighting style.
- Customization and cosmetics (weight 0.15): Shao Kahn has character-specific gear and customization, while equipment and skins are purely cosmetic. This allows players to personalize without gameplay impact.
- Good for Kombat League (weight 0.11): Shao Kahn is noted to be good for Kombat League mode, likely due to his high damage and long range. This makes him viable in competitive play.
- Krypt loot box system (weight 0.11): The Krypt contains random items that are consistent across players, functioning like loot boxes with predetermined sets. This may affect player expectations for unlocks.
- Currency and time crystals (weight 0.11): In-game currency can be earned to unlock items, and the game uses a premium currency called Time Crystals. This monetization model may be a point of interest.
- Passive ability and presentation (weight 0.1): Shao Kahn has a passive ability that gives a small impact pulse when blocking attacks, and his fighting presentation includes mocking laughter. These details add to his character flair.
- Tower missions require use (weight 0.06): Tower missions require using Shao Kahn, suggesting he is a forced pick in certain game modes. This could be seen as a positive or negative depending on player preference.
- Game roster variety (weight 0.06): The game features 25 characters, each with 60 styles and 90 equipment pieces, offering substantial variety. Shao Kahn fits within this broader roster.
- Living towers grind (weight 0.05): Living Towers are available for grinding, likely providing ongoing challenges and rewards. This is a common feature in fighting games.
- Shao Kahn speed concerns (weight 0.05): Shao Kahn appears slow in gameplay videos and trailers, which may deter some players. However, his power compensates for his lack of speed.

Performance notes:
- Character exclusive content causes crashes (weight 0.08): The character's exclusive content leads to black screens and crashes, impacting gameplay stability.

Recommendations:
- Shao Kahn recommended for fans (weight 0.43): Multiple clusters highlight that Shao Kahn is a strong purchase for fans of the character or players who enjoy heavy, hard-hitting fighters. The recommendation is especially strong for completionists.
- Not worth buying for everyone (weight 0.28): Several clusters advise against purchasing Shao Kahn unless you are a dedicated fan, suggesting other DLC or waiting for a sale instead. The character may not appeal to all players.
- Consider Ultimate Edition instead (weight 0.2): Recommends skipping the standalone DLC and buying the Ultimate Edition or Elder God bundle, as it offers better value. Alternatively, wait for a sale on the DLC if you didn't pre-order.
- Worth it for fatalities and collection (weight 0.11): Some reviews highlight that Shao Kahn is worth buying for his two fatalities and his collection value, even if you don't play him often. His unique nature makes him a must-have for collectors.
- Conditional recommendations based on purchase timing (weight 0.1): Recommendations differ depending on when you bought the game; those who purchased after release are more likely to benefit, while others might prefer other options. Overall, only buy if you have spare money.
- Speed and combo lovers avoid (weight 0.06): One review notes that Shao Kahn may be too slow for players who prioritize speed and combo-heavy gameplay, indicating his playstyle is not suited for everyone.
- Try before buying (weight 0.06): A suggestion to test Shao Kahn in a private match with a friend or watch gameplay videos before purchasing, to avoid buyer's remorse. This indicates uncertainty about his appeal.

Other player notes:
- Pre-order bonus sold separately (weight 0.97): Multiple clusters highlight that Shao Kahn, offered as a pre-order bonus, is also sold separately as DLC at launch. This practice drew criticism for charging for content once exclusive.
- Character should be base game (weight 0.33): Players believe Shao Kahn was cut from the base roster to incentivize pre-orders, as he appears in story and towers yet remains paid DLC. This artificial paywall frustrates users.
- Iconic antagonist praised (weight 0.28): Shao Kahn is recognized as one of the strongest bosses in video game history and an iconic MK villain with a backstory. Fans appreciate his presence despite monetization concerns.
- Microtransactions cosmetic only (weight 0.26): The game uses Time Crystals as premium currency for cosmetics, with no pay-to-win elements. However, daily shop refreshes and loot boxes in the Krypt raise concerns.
- DLC not in Kombat Pack (weight 0.25): Shao Kahn is sold standalone, not included in the Kombat Pack or base game, forcing fans to pay extra even if they bought premium editions. This undermines pack value.
- Ultimate version includes character (weight 0.19): Owners of the Ultimate or Elder God bundle get Shao Kahn, but others must pay separately. This creates confusion over included content across editions.
- Price considered steep (weight 0.16): Many find the price for Shao Kahn too high for a single character, especially when comparable DLC characters are cheaper. This deters potential buyers.
- Frost similarly monetized (weight 0.15): Frost is unlockable in story mode but still sold as DLC, mirroring Shao Kahn's monetization and drawing criticism for paywalling unlockable characters.
- Price reduction after purchase (weight 0.15): The game's overall package value dropped significantly after purchase due to price cuts, making early buyers feel shortchanged. This affects perceived fairness.
- Comparisons to MK9 version (weight 0.15): Players compare Shao Kahn's current portrayal to his MK9 appearance, noting differences in speed, weight, and power. Some find the MK9 version superior.
- Premium edition lacks character (weight 0.12): Premium editions and Kombat Packs do not include Shao Kahn, requiring additional purchase even for dedicated fans.
- Comparisons to EA practices (weight 0.11): Critics compare the selling of pre-order DLC to EA's monetization strategies, labeling it as a greedy practice in fighting games.
- Refund policy limitations (weight 0.09): Some players missed the refund window, leaving them stuck with a purchase they regretted. Steam's policy is generally good but not always sufficient.
- Developer rationale controversial (weight 0.06): Ed Boon wanted Shao Kahn as a unique pre-order feature, but this backfired as fans saw it as a cash grab. The explanation did not appease critics.
- Voice acting quality declined (weight 0.06): The voice acting for Shao Kahn in this installment is considered worse than in MK9, impacting character immersion.
- Unique moveset praised (weight 0.06): Shao Kahn has a fuller moveset compared to his limited one in Mortal Kombat Armageddon, making him more enjoyable to play.
- Gameplay requires Shao Kahn (weight 0.06): Shao Kahn is necessary to complete certain tower missions, putting non-buyers at a disadvantage and making the paywall more frustrating.
- Visuals rated highly (weight 0.06): Shao Kahn's visuals and customization options are among the best in the game, behind only a few characters, adding to his appeal despite costs.
- More content than predecessors (weight 0.06): The game offers more content than previous MK titles, which some see as compensating for the paid DLC, but overall sentiment remains mixed.
- Pre-order timing issues (weight 0.05): Pre-order content like Shao Kahn appears at launch, but some expect it later, causing confusion and dissatisfaction.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.21): Players are disappointed that Shao Kahn, an iconic villain, feels underpowered, slow, and weaker than in MK9, with punishable attacks and underwhelming voice acting. Additionally, the pricing and availability of Shao Kahn and Frost as separate paid DLC, despite being in the story or pre-order bonuses, added to the frustration of not getting expected value.
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Frustration stems from Shao Kahn being cut from the base game and sold as paid DLC, leading to players rebuying content they already owned. His poor gameplay performance, lack of buffs, and the need to purchase him separately for completion purposes further aggravated players.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.17): Satisfaction arises from Shao Kahn's powerful gameplay, with high damage attacks, satisfying fatalities, and overall strong performance. Players also felt the DLC included good content and value, making the purchase worthwhile.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment comes from playing as Shao Kahn, who is cool, easy to use, and offers flashy combos and spectacular brutalities. The impactful feedback and the fun of wielding his hammer contributed to the positive experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement is driven by the opportunity to finally play as Shao Kahn, a long-awaited dream since 2014, combined with his brutal, powerful combat style and high-damage combos.
- Disapproval (weight 0.05): Players disapprove of Shao Kahn being a pre-order bonus or separate paid DLC, especially since he appears in the campaign. The high cost of a single character and the practice of paywalling content are seen as harmful.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger is directed at the practice of charging for pre-order characters and cutting content from the campaign to push pre-orders, as well as selling Shao Kahn despite promises of exclusivity.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration is expressed for Shao Kahn as an iconic villain, his combat style, and the high combo damage he can achieve, along with unlockable cosmetics that enhance his appeal.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance stems from the belief that Shao Kahn was originally part of the base game but was removed to boost pre-orders, forcing players to purchase him separately despite his full integration.
- Resentment (weight 0.02): Resentment is directed at the developer for charging for content that was previously unlockable through gameplay, and for pre-ordering not delivering the expected exclusivity or value.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement comes from the game's fatalities that humiliate opponents, particularly with Shao Kahn's hammer attacks and his arrogant laughter during play.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is fueled by the coolness of Shao Kahn and the gameplay style of a brute wielding a big hammer, which is appealing to players.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust is expressed at the practice of selling a single character separately as DLC, which feels exploitative to players.
- Amazement (weight 0.01): Amazement is felt at the ability to control the villain from MK2 and MK3, which feels amazing and exciting to players.
- Fear (weight 0.01): Fear is triggered by seeing Shao Kahn in cutscenes, as his imposing presence makes players want to flee from his power.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is experienced for pre-ordering the game instead of waiting for a sale, given the subsequent availability of the character and content at lower prices.
- Empowerment (weight 0.01): Players feel empowered when playing as Shao Kahn, as his strength makes defeating enemies easy and satisfying.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is felt by players who saved money by not needing to purchase the character separately, as the content was accessible without extra cost.}