Info about Mortal Kombat 1: Official game description: Mortal Kombat™ 1: Khaos Reigns Kollection ========================================= New to Mortal Kombat 1? Get started with the Kollection Edition! Mortal Kombat 1 ushers in a New Era of the iconic franchise with a New fighting system, game modes, and fatalities. Includes instant access to the Base Game, Kombat Pack, and Dragon Krystals. Gain access to the upcoming Story Expansion, Kombat Pack 2 and more! Khaos Reigns Story Expansion Kombat Pack 2\* Khaos Reigns Fighters Available At Launch: Noob Saibot Cyrax Sektor Guest Fighters Available Post-Launch (includes 1 week early access) Ghostface (Scream Franchise) T-1000 (Terminator 2) Conan the Barbarian Kombat Pack (Available Now): Omni-Man (Invincible) Quan Chi Peacemaker (DC’s Peacemaker) Ermac Homelander (The Boys) Takeda Takahashi Kameo Fighters (Available Now): Tremor Khameleon Janet Cage Mavado Ferra Jean-Claude Van Damme Skin for Johnny Cage (Available Now) 1250 Dragon Krystals (Available Now) \*Separate Kombat Pack 2 character bundle not available About the Game ============== **It’s In Our Blood!** ---------------------- Discover a reborn Mortal Kombat™ Universe created by the Fire God Liu Kang. **New Origins** --------------- Reflecting Fire God Liu Kang’s vision of perfection, Mortal Kombat 1’s brand new universe is familiar, yet radically altered. **Invasions** ------------- Invasions is a dynamic single player campaign with a variety of distinct challenges. With built in progression and RPG mechanics, mixed with MK1’s incredible fighting action, Invasions provides deep, and engaging challenges, and a ton of rewards along the way. **Kameos** ---------- Kameos dramatically enhance every fight, assisting teammates with their own Special Moves, Throws and defensive Breakers. Release date: 19 Sep, 2023 Categories: Real-time Combat, Single-player Story, Competitive Multiplayer, Character Customization, Character Progression, RPG, Character-based Combat, Strategic Combat - Hardware Profile: No data Feature extractions: - Community Price: No data - Playtime Metrics: No data - Time-to-fun: No data - Player Archetypes: No data 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: - Stunning graphics and presentation (weight 0.97): The game boasts stunning graphics, detailed character models, fluid animations, and impressive visual effects, creating a cinematic and immersive experience. Reviewers frequently compare the visual fidelity to top-tier games and praise the detailed environments and character expressions. The seamless transitions and overall presentation enhance the enjoyment. - Fluid, balanced combat system (weight 0.5): The combat system balances accessibility for new players with depth for experienced fighters, offering fluid and responsive controls. Reviewers appreciate the satisfying impact of each move and the strategic elements that require skill and timing. The game mechanics are well-built, providing a mix of technique and strategy. - Engaging and cinematic story mode (weight 0.29): The story mode is engaging and cinematic, offering a fresh take on the Mortal Kombat universe with interesting characters and plot twists. Reviewers find the narrative captivating and appreciate the balance between accessibility for new players and nods to long-time fans. The story is often compared to a bloody Netflix series. - Diverse and well-designed characters (weight 0.2): The game features a diverse roster of well-designed characters, including returning fan favorites and new additions. Reviewers appreciate the unique fighting styles and the visual appeal of the characters. The DLC characters are also praised for their quality and integration into the game. - Brutal and creative fatalities (weight 0.16): The game features brutal and creative fatalities with realistic gore, enhancing the visceral impact of each fight. Reviewers find the finishing moves satisfying and appreciate the level of detail in the animations. The game is praised for maintaining the series' signature over-the-top violence. - Enjoyable for solo/multiplayer (weight 0.15): The game is enjoyable for both solo and multiplayer experiences, offering a variety of content for casual players. Reviewers find the game fun to play with friends and appreciate the accessibility features. The game is also great for relieving stress and button-bashing fun. - Wealth of content and customization (weight 0.1): The game offers a wealth of content, including various modes, characters, and challenges. Reviewers appreciate the reward system for earning customization pieces through gameplay. The game is well-balanced, allowing players to succeed with any character based on skill. - Fun and rewarding combo system (weight 0.09): The combo system is fun and rewarding, with combos that are easier to perform but require skill and timing to master. Reviewers enjoy memorizing combos and finding openings to use them in battle. The game is great for those who enjoy labbing combos and experimenting with different combinations. Common complaints: - Less content than MK11 (weight 0.49): Compared to MK11, MK1 has significantly reduced character customization options, fewer game modes, and a less engaging story. Many reviewers missed features like the Krypt and found the new Invasions mode to be a poor replacement. The game also suffers from an overabundance of microtransactions. - Excessive DLC costs and microtransactions (weight 0.43): The game and its DLC are considered overpriced, with many reviewers criticizing the high cost of characters, skins, and story expansions. Some key characters, like Shang Tsung, are locked behind paywalls, even in premium editions of the game. This monetization strategy is seen as predatory and disrespectful to fans. - Horrendous PC optimization and stability (weight 0.39): The PC version of MK1 suffers from significant technical issues, including poor optimization, frequent crashes, and online lag. Many reviewers found the game unplayable even on high-end hardware. These issues persisted for months after launch, leading to widespread frustration. - Kameo system is unbalanced, flawed (weight 0.37): The Kameo system is a divisive mechanic that many reviewers find unbalanced, unnecessary, and detrimental to the core gameplay. It adds complexity, leads to repetitive combos, and detracts from the 1v1 fighting experience. Some reviewers also noted that certain Kameo characters are overpowered, creating further imbalance. - Unbalanced, toxic online experience (weight 0.32): The online mode suffers from unbalanced matchmaking, a toxic player base, and a lack of content. Many reviewers reported being matched against players with significantly higher skill levels, leading to frustrating and one-sided matches. The online experience is further marred by lag, instability, and a perceived lack of fair play. - Invasions mode is repetitive, unrewarding (weight 0.28): The Invasions mode, intended to replace the Krypt, is widely disliked for its repetitive gameplay, unrewarding progression, and lack of exploration. Reviewers found it to be a tedious grind with little to offer beyond unlocking basic cosmetics. Many felt it was a significant downgrade from previous single-player content. - Story is convoluted, relies on multiverses (weight 0.18): The story mode is criticized for relying on tired multiverse tropes, convoluted plotlines, and inconsistent character portrayals. Many reviewers felt the narrative was rushed, poorly executed, and ultimately disappointing. The overuse of time travel and alternate universes undermined the emotional impact and stakes of the story. - Feels like a step back (weight 0.17): Compared to previous entries, MK1 feels like a step back in terms of character customization, visual style, and overall polish. Reviewers noted that character designs are bland, the roster is limited, and the game lacks the dark, nostalgic feel of earlier titles. Some also felt the game was more difficult to learn and adapt to. - Story ending is rushed, unsatisfying (weight 0.15): The story's ending is often criticized for feeling rushed, illogical, and unsatisfying. Some reviewers also noted the lack of language support and technical issues within the story mode. These issues detract from the overall narrative experience and leave players with a sense of disappointment. - Khaos Reigns DLC is disappointing (weight 0.13): The Khaos Reigns story expansion is widely considered to be of poor quality, with a nonsensical plot, unsatisfying character resolutions, and a short playtime. Reviewers felt it was overpriced for the amount of content provided and did not meaningfully expand upon the base game's story. - Poor writing and art direction (weight 0.06): The game suffers from poor writing, cheesy dialogue, and uninspired art direction. Reviewers found the characters to be underdeveloped and the plot to be weak. These issues contribute to a generic and uninspired overall experience. - General negative sentiments (weight 0.05): This cluster contains general negative sentiments without specific details. Points like "the game is losing its dark, nostalgic feel" and "the game is difficult" are too vague to be actionable. Therefore, the importance score is reduced. Gameplay feedback: - Kameo system adds strategic assists (weight 0.27): The Kameo system introduces assist characters that can be called in to extend combos, interrupt opponents, and provide unique support. While adding strategic depth and variety, some find it clunky or prefer a tag system. Some Kameos are considered more viable, leading to potential competitive imbalances. - Combo-focused gameplay with aerial elements (weight 0.18): The game features a combo-heavy system with a focus on juggling and aerial combos, potentially leading to extended viewing times during matches. The pace of the game is somewhere between MKX and MK11. Some reviewers find the controls more difficult than in MK11. - Invasions/Towers offer single-player content (weight 0.11): Invasion and Tower modes offer single-player content with RPG elements, seasonal rewards, and character progression. These modes replace the Krypt from previous titles, providing replayability and a way to unlock skins and other items. Some reviewers dislike the Invasion system, preferring the Krypt or towers. - Character balance and roster diversity (weight 0.02): Characters have distinct strengths and weaknesses, contributing to overall balance. However, some characters may have limited move lists or feel underpowered. The roster size is considered somewhat small compared to MK11. - Repetitive combos in Kombat League (weight 0.01): Some players in Kombat League (KL) tend to overuse specific combos with certain characters. This can lead to repetitive gameplay experiences. The game features many original fighters, some as Kameo characters. - Character redesigns alter franchise lore (weight 0.01): The game features a rebooted lore, with some characters redesigned and their origins changed. Some reviewers feel that these changes went too far, causing characters to lose their identity. Performance notes: - Long shader compilation times (weight 0.05): The game requires lengthy shader compilation upon each launch, which can take 15-20 minutes. This process can make the game unplayable while running in the background, even on powerful PCs. Some players have reported crashes during shader loading. - 60 FPS cap on PC (weight 0.04): The game is capped at 60 FPS on PC, which is a limitation for players with high-end hardware capable of running the game at higher frame rates. Some players also report frame rate drops outside of the main gameplay, such as in menus or during cutscenes. - Online matches suffer lag (weight 0.04): Players report lag and stuttering in online matches, even with good internet connections and high-end computers. Some players also experience disconnections during ranked matches and instability in specific online modes like Towers of Time. - Hitches during saving (weight 0.02): The game hitches and experiences frame rate drops when saving, such as when picking up items, opening chests, finishing fights, unlocking content, or earning currency. This can disrupt the flow of gameplay and make these actions feel less rewarding. - Large storage requirement (weight 0.01): The game has a large file size, consuming nearly 200GB of storage and increasing with each update. This can be a concern for players with limited storage space. - Fighters sometimes blurry (weight 0.01): Some players have reported that the fighters sometimes look blurry. This issue may be related to graphics settings or hardware limitations. - MK11 servers not functional (weight 0): This point refers to MK11, not the current game. It is not relevant to the current analysis. - Must be played with HDD (weight 0): This point is likely a joke or sarcasm, as modern games are typically designed to run on SSDs rather than HDDs. It does not provide constructive feedback. Recommendations: - Buy on sale only (weight 0.53): Many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing, citing the full price as too high for the content offered. Some specifically recommend purchasing the DLC or complete edition only when discounted. This point is mentioned frequently and consistently. - Fun, engaging gameplay experience (weight 0.45): Several reviewers recommend the game for its engaging gameplay, impressive graphics, and the potential for fun with friends. However, some caution that mastering the game requires time and effort. - Good for MK franchise fans (weight 0.42): The game is generally recommended for existing Mortal Kombat fans who are interested in seeing a new take on the franchise, but some reviewers suggest that even fans should wait for a sale. Some reviewers note that long-time fans may be disappointed by changes to the gameplay or content. - Technical issues hinder experience (weight 0.37): Some reviewers mention technical issues such as optimization problems, FPS drops, and online matchmaking issues. These problems detract from the overall experience and lead some to recommend against purchasing the game until they are resolved. - Franchise direction is concerning (weight 0.26): Some reviewers express concern that the game may be detrimental to the franchise due to its flaws and questionable design decisions. They worry about the future of the series and whether the developers will address the issues. - MK11 is a better choice (weight 0.04): Some reviewers suggest that Mortal Kombat 11 is a better option, citing superior animations, optimization, character balance, and overall value. They recommend sticking with MK11 or purchasing it instead of MK1. - Kameo system is divisive (weight 0.03): Some reviewers express concerns about the Kameo system, suggesting it may not appeal to all players, especially those who prefer single-player content or local multiplayer. One reviewer suggests releasing a game mode without the Kameo system. - Alternatives: SF6, Tekken 8 (weight 0.03): Some reviewers suggest that Street Fighter 6 or Tekken 8 are better choices for those looking to get into fighting games or for a more complete competitive experience. These games are seen as having deeper concepts and broader appeal. - Use Discord to learn game (weight 0.02): One reviewer advises new players to seek out thematic Discord servers to learn the game and save time, rather than trying to learn everything solo. This suggests that the game has a steep learning curve or that the in-game tutorials are inadequate. Other player notes: - Timeline reboot, continuation (weight 0.07): The game is a timeline reboot, but also a continuation of the previous game's story. Some reviewers are familiar with the lore, while others are new or returning after a long break, impacting their perspective. - Multiple currencies, seasonal shop (weight 0.06): The game features multiple currencies (Dragon Krystals, etc.) and a shop with seasonal events and limited-time items. Players can earn some currency through gameplay, while others can be purchased with real money. The ranking system provides limited incentives beyond the challenge, but offers skins and in-game currency. - Concerns about future support (weight 0.03): Some reviewers express concern about the game's future support, citing a lack of new content, balance patches, and potential discontinuation. This concern is amplified by the game being discounted. - Mixed narrative quality (weight 0.03): The narrative blends character arcs, twists, and multiversal elements, with some reviewers praising the script's cleverness and new character dynamics. However, others find the story inconsistent. - Warner Bros. influence on monetization (weight 0.02): Some reviewers speculate that Warner Bros.' influence impacts the game's development and monetization strategies. They suggest this may be due to the game-as-a-service model. - Returning characters, altered designs (weight 0.02): Many characters from older games are referenced or return, though not all are playable. Some character designs or backstories have been altered. - Crossover characters present (weight 0.02): The game features crossovers with characters from other universes. While some reviewers were initially worried about this, it was not a major part of the main game. - Large file size (weight 0.01): The game has a large file size, exceeding 100 GB by default and increasing with 4K cinematics and DLC. This can consume a significant portion of storage space. - Active modding community (weight 0.01): The game has strong community support with mods that enhance the experience, including visual and animation tweaks. - Frequent shader building (weight 0.01): The game requires shader building every time it is launched, even with a large cache space. - Online play blocked in Russia (weight 0.01): Online play is blocked in Russia, requiring a DNS change to access. - Game lacks a proper ending (weight 0.01): Some reviewers feel that the game has no ending. Emotions: No emotions}