Info about MK1: Shang Tsung:

Official game description:
Included in Pre-Order.  
Play as the powerful sorcerer Shang Tsung.

Release date: Sep 19, 2023

Categories: Fighting Game, Character-based Combat, Character Progression, Competitive Multiplayer, Shape-Shifting Combat, Aggressive Monetization

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 70; verdict: Aggressive Monetization (Day-1 DLC Paywall); summary: The user reviews consistently condemn the Day-1 DLC paywall for Shang Tsung, a main villain and playable character in the story. Additional complaints include selling previously earnable content and a forced purchase due to desync issues. These practices constitute aggressive monetization.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $30.00 - $50.00
  - Reasoning: The community strongly criticizes paying extra for the main antagonist, indicating they expect essential content to be included in the base game. This sentiment suggests the base game is perceived as overpriced when key characters are locked behind additional purchases. The repeated emphasis on discounts and sales further implies price sensitivity, leading to a fair base-game price range lower than typical AAA pricing to compensate for missing content.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The reviews focus entirely on the DLC monetization of Shang Tsung and do not report any concrete playtime hours for the target game. No session lengths, completion times, or endgame durations are mentioned. The only time-related phrase refers to unlocking Havik (a different character) and is not a playtime metric for Shang Tsung. Therefore all playtime metrics are unsupported and set to null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - DLC Critics (no buy)
    - Motivation: Opposing unfair DLC practices and protecting consumer value
    - Playstyle: Plays story mode, knows efficient unlock methods, cautious about purchases
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: MKX
  - Competitive Players (no buy)
    - Motivation: Playing competitive without technical issues
    - Playstyle: Online competitive, Kombat League
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - 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:
- Shang Tsung is well-crafted (weight 0.27): Reviewers consistently praise Shang Tsung as a great, well-crafted character, highlighting his interesting design and overall quality. This positive reception spans multiple clusters, indicating strong approval of the character's implementation.
- Game is fun and great (weight 0.16): Players describe the game as super, sensational, and fun to play, with overall positive feedback on the gameplay experience. This general praise appears in several clusters, suggesting a high level of satisfaction with the game.
- Unique transformation ability praised (weight 0.14): Shang Tsung's ability to perform any character's fatalities, kombos, and fatal blows, as well as transform into almost any character including DLC, is highlighted as a standout feature. This mechanic is seen as interesting and rewarding, though initially complicated.
- Visual and audio excellence (weight 0.13): The character's visual appeal, animation, and voice performance are highly praised, with special mention of the new voice acting capturing the original actor's essence. The face customization technology is also commended.
- Great gameplay and fatalities (weight 0.11): Shang Tsung's gameplay, fatalities, and brutalities are described as great, with the character being extremely fun to play. The two forms (old and young) changing the moveset adds depth and variety.
- Character is not broken (weight 0.03): One reviewer notes that Shang Tsung is not broken, implying a balanced and fair character design. This is a positive point for players concerned about overpowered characters.
- Praise for MK antagonist (weight 0.03): Shang Tsung is praised as an antagonist in the Mortal Kombat saga, with one reviewer specifically appreciating his role. This highlights the character's significance in the franchise.

Common complaints:
- Shang Tsung paywalled despite story role (weight 0.54): Players criticize that Shang Tsung, a main villain and playable story character, is locked behind a paywall or pre-order bonus. This is seen as unfair because he is integral to the campaign and should be part of the base roster.
- Shang Tsung excluded from all editions (weight 0.34): Shang Tsung is not included in the base game, premium edition, or Khaos Kollection, requiring separate purchase. Players feel this is a deliberate cash grab for a character that should be free.
- Pre-order exclusive character criticized (weight 0.21): Shang Tsung is a day-one pre-order bonus, which players see as an anti-consumer practice. Some feel misled when the character is later sold separately, especially for non-premium pre-orders.
- Main characters sold as DLC (weight 0.1): Beyond Shang Tsung, players note that other main characters like Liu Kang could be sold as DLC, indicating a trend of monetizing essential content. This raises concerns about future DLC practices.
- DLC not unlocking Shang Tsung (weight 0.06): Some players report that purchasing the DLC does not unlock Shang Tsung, leading to frustration and confusion. This suggests possible technical issues or misleading marketing.

Gameplay feedback:
- Prominent story role (weight 0.21): Shang Tsung is a main antagonist and key character in MK1's story, playable in multiple chapters and as the final boss. He is also available for free during the story.
- Dual age forms mechanic (weight 0.2): Shang Tsung can switch between young and old forms, each with distinct movesets and playstyles. The young form excels at fireball zoning and quick retreats, while the old form is better for melee chains and ground fire.
- Shape-shifting into opponents (weight 0.14): Shang Tsung can transform into almost any character, including DLC, and use their movesets, fatalities, and brutalities. Transformation is now a command, not an attack, and can be done mid-combo.
- Game modes and features (weight 0.09): The game includes Kombat League competitive mode, invasions with chests, a skill system, and a tutorial. These features are mentioned but not detailed.
- High difficulty and zoning strength (weight 0.09): Shang Tsung is considered one of the most difficult characters and the strongest zoner in the game. His combos are long and require practice in training mode.
- Effective at multiple ranges (weight 0.06): Shang Tsung is effective at close and medium range and can also zone, making him versatile. His young form has skull projectiles, claw attacks, and a retreat move with spikes.
- Old form utility (weight 0.06): The old form has skulls from the ground, air attacks, and a poison syringe that gives buffs. It is best for full chain melee and using ground fire to bring enemies closer.
- Incomplete NPCs in campaign (weight 0.06): Ermac and Quan Chi are fightable in campaign but lack Fatal Blows, indicating they are not complete. This suggests they may be DLC or unfinished characters.
- Main character of universe (weight 0.03): One review claims Shang Tsung is the main character of the Mortal Kombat universe, though this is a subjective opinion. It highlights his iconic status.

Performance notes:
No performancepoints

Recommendations:
- Mixed recommendations for Shang Tsung (weight 0.16): Reviewers are split on whether to buy Shang Tsung. Some recommend him for fans or those who enjoy complex combos, while others advise against purchasing him at all.
- High price criticized (weight 0.14): Several reviewers highlight that Shang Tsung is too expensive as a standalone purchase, especially for a Day One DLC character. Some suggest the base game or premium edition is the better value.

Other player notes:
- Character sold as DLC (weight 0.38): Multiple reviews criticize that a character is sold separately as DLC, not included in the base game or premium editions. This practice is seen as a paywall for content that should be part of the main experience.
- Pre-order exclusive character (weight 0.23): The character was a pre-order bonus, making it exclusive to those who pre-ordered, and not available in the premium edition. This has led to frustration among players who missed the pre-order window.
- Character in story but locked (weight 0.19): Characters like Shang Tsung, Quan Chi, and Ermac appear in the main story but are locked behind DLC or pre-order. This is seen as a deliberate paywall for content that is already in the game.
- Game expensive with taxes (weight 0.14): The game is expensive, especially with taxes, and the price increased after release in some regions. This adds to the overall cost burden.
- Main villain behind paywall (weight 0.14): The main villain of the story mode is locked behind a paywall, requiring an additional purchase beyond the base game and DLC bundle. This is seen as a major negative, as the character is central to the narrative.
- Premium edition lacks character (weight 0.13): Even buyers of the premium edition do not get the character, as it is sold separately. This has caused dissatisfaction among those who expected full content with the premium purchase.
- Monetization compared to EA (weight 0.11): Reviewers compare the monetization practices to EA's, criticizing the aggressive DLC and pre-order strategies. This comparison highlights a negative perception of the game's business model.
- Previous games had free characters (weight 0.1): In previous Netherrealm games, pre-order characters were included in ultimate editions or were free. This change in policy is criticized as a negative trend.
- Character required for content (weight 0.06): The character is required to fix a desync bug in Kombat League and to unlock content in invasions. This forces players to purchase the character to fully enjoy the game.
- Cheaper alternatives exist (weight 0.05): There are places to buy the character cheaper, such as online key resellers. This suggests that the official price is considered too high.
- Future DLC characters (weight 0.05): The game likely will get a second wave of DLC, including characters like Homelander. This indicates ongoing monetization, which some reviewers view negatively.
- Character costs $10 (weight 0.04): The character requires a payment of $10 to use, which is considered too high for a single character. This price point is a common complaint among reviewers.
- Game has many microtransactions (weight 0.03): The game is criticized for having many microtransactions, adding to the overall cost. This is seen as a negative aspect of the monetization strategy.
- Skin tribute to late actor (weight 0.03): A skin is a tribute to the late actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, which is appreciated by fans. However, it is not enough to offset the negative monetization feedback.
- Negative reviews due to paid character (weight 0.03): Some people are leaving negative reviews because their character was made paid, indicating a coordinated response. This shows the community's strong reaction to the monetization.
- Request for Shinnok (weight 0.03): A reviewer requests the character Shinnok, indicating a desire for more characters. This is a minor point in the overall feedback.
- Customization limited (weight 0.03): Customization is limited with only three costumes per character, which is seen as a downside. This is a minor complaint compared to the monetization issues.
- Havik DLC not worth it (weight 0.03): The Havik DLC is considered not worth the price, adding to the criticism of the game's DLC value. This is a specific complaint about a particular DLC.
- Internet connection required (weight 0.03): The character requires an internet connection to play, which is an additional restriction. This is a minor point but adds to the overall negative experience.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.52): Players are frustrated that Shang Tsung, a main story character and the original Mortal Kombat villain, is locked behind a paywall and not included in the base game or premium editions. They feel forced to pay extra for content that should be part of the base roster, and some report the character becoming locked after patches or requiring an internet connection.
- Disappointment (weight 0.12): Disappointment stems from Shang Tsung being sold separately despite being playable in the story, and from his perceived weakness compared to other characters. The young/old form switching mechanic and the game's monetization practices also contribute to a sense of letdown.
- Anger (weight 0.05): Anger is driven by the perception that content was cut from the base game and sold separately, and that the purchase process felt like a scam. Players are upset about greedy monetization and being misled about pre-order exclusivity.
- Disapproval (weight 0.03): Disapproval focuses on the monetization practice of charging for a plot-integral and iconic character like Shang Tsung, who should be part of the base roster. Players see this as cutting content from the base game and selling it separately.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Players enjoy playing as Shang Tsung, finding the character extremely fun and engaging. The positive gameplay experience is the main reason for this emotion.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is expressed for Shang Tsung as the iconic antagonist of the Mortal Kombat saga, with praise for Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's portrayal and the character's design. Players consider this one of the best versions of the character in a long time.
- Disgust (weight 0.02): Disgust arises from selling the main villain of the story mode as DLC and locking a story-appearing character behind a paywall. Players find it distasteful that main characters are placed as DLC.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Players feel frustrated by having to pay for a character already part of the main campaign and coded into the game, and by technical issues activating the character. Being robbed of the main villain despite buying the Premium edition adds to the frustration.
- Outrage (weight 0.02): Outrage is fueled by the exorbitant and abusive price for a single character, and by the practice of selling characters already in the base game as DLC. Players consider this monetization outrageous.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.02): Satisfaction comes from Shang Tsung being cool and having a shape-shifting mechanic that allows him to transform into almost any character and use their moves. The mechanic becomes rewarding once adapted.
- Sadness (weight 0.02): Sadness is tied to the passing of actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, who portrayed Shang Tsung, and to the main antagonist being locked behind a paywall. This combination evokes a sense of loss and disappointment.
- Disapproving (weight 0.02): Disapproval is directed at the main villain in the story mode being locked behind a pre-order bonus with no other unlock method, and at the character not being included in the Khaos Kollection edition. Players see this as unfair.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation is expressed for Shang Tsung's great gameplay and fatalities, and for the character being well-crafted with interesting mechanics. Players value the quality of the character design.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from skills lacking demonstration videos and being hard to understand, and from the character being a campaign character but not in the base content. Players are puzzled by the design and availability.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness is derived from obtaining Shang Tsung, likely through gameplay or purchase. The acquisition of the character brings joy.
- Liking (weight 0.01): The reviewer expresses a strong liking for the character Shang Tsung, indicating a positive overall impression.
- Annoyed (weight 0.01): Annoyance is caused by having to pay extra for the final boss and mid-boss after already purchasing the game and DLC bundle. Players find this additional cost irritating.
- Appreciative (weight 0.01): Appreciation is given for the character design being handsome and for the face customization options. Players praise the visual aspects of Shang Tsung.
- Angry (weight 0.01): Anger is directed at the character being locked behind a paywall despite appearing in the main story. Players feel this is unjust.
- Satisfied (weight 0.01): Satisfaction comes from obtaining Shang Tsung, who is considered great, by buying a key for the pre-order bonus online. The successful acquisition leads to contentment.}