Players experienced significant frustration due to widespread technical issues, including dysfunctional online matchmaking, frequent game crashes, input lag, and the game failing to launch. These problems severely hindered the ability to play and enjoy the game, compounded by a perceived lack of updates and issues like game pricing and content choices.
Disappointment stemmed from the game's perceived low quality, missing promised features, and a lack of essential content like online lobbies at launch. Players also noted poor graphics, non-functioning game modes, and a resolution limitation, indicating the game did not meet their expectations regarding its state and included ports.
Satisfaction was driven by the overall value of the game collection, particularly the quality of the included legacy games. Players appreciated the collection's ability to evoke nostalgia, its robust offline play experience, and its compatibility with the Steam Deck, making it a worthwhile purchase for fans.
Annoyance was primarily caused by recurrent technical problems such as frequent game crashes and issues with the game not launching. These disruptions to gameplay and accessibility led to a general sense of irritation among players, alongside specific gripes about certain game elements.
Nostalgia was a strong positive emotion, arising from the collection being a compilation of old favorites and a historical record of games. Players enjoyed revisiting beloved titles and experiencing a sense of past gaming eras through the included content.
Verdict
Mostly negative
Summary
Positive 23% · Negative 77%. Score: 77 / 100
Positives:
Players highly appreciate the collection for its strong nostalgic value, especially for those aged 25-40. The inclusion of classic titles, particularly the legacy Mortal Kombat games, is widely praised as outstanding, making it a very pleasant and historical compilation.
Many games within the collection include a dedicated practice mode. This feature is highly valued for allowing players to refine their skills and enjoy the classic titles without frustration.
The game collection is noted to be a perfect fit for the Steam Deck portable gaming device. This indicates good optimization and a satisfying gameplay experience on the platform.
The collection offers additional content, which varies based on the specific game title selected by the player. This feature adds value and depth to the individual game experiences within the compilation.
Players suggest that the optimal experience for this game collection is found when playing offline. This could imply a preference for single-player content or a smoother experience without online dependencies.
Negatives:
Players experience frequent game crashes, significant input and network lag, and general sound issues, severely impacting gameplay. Visuals are criticized for being blurry, limited to 1080p, lacking sharpness filters, and not meeting modern fidelity standards on higher resolution displays. Some games even fail to launch entirely.
The online experience is significantly flawed, with players struggling to find public matches and reporting persistent connection issues. The absence of online lobbies at launch and the continued lack of promised private matches severely limit competitive play options beyond playing with friends.
The AI, particularly in MK2 and MK3 (Shao Khan), is perceived as unfairly difficult, even on the easiest settings, making single-player progression in towers nearly impossible. Players expressed disappointment that these long-standing AI issues from arcade originals were not addressed in this modern collection.
The collection includes inferior console ports, like SNES and GBA versions, which appear pixelated and washed out on modern high-resolution screens. Players deem these specific inclusions unwanted and even "useless," feeling they detract from the collection's overall quality and value compared to older, better-looking versions.
The $60 price tag is widely criticized as excessive for a collection primarily containing three arcade entries, especially given the extensive technical problems and poor port quality. Players are concerned about a potential strategy to release other expected titles as separate, full-priced games, further diminishing the current collection's perceived value.
Gameplay:
Players are requesting the addition of direct online challenges against friends and cross-play capabilities between PC and consoles. This feature would significantly improve the social and competitive aspects of the game, akin to what is offered in Tekken 8.
There is a desire for graphic filters that replicate the visual styles of older Mortal Kombat titles, specifically MK1, MK2, Ultimate, and arcade versions. This would cater to player nostalgia and offer customizable visual experiences, similar to a feature found in MK4.
Users are requesting a visible ranking list to showcase the most outstanding players for each game edition. This feature would foster a more competitive environment and provide recognition for skilled players.
Players suggest incorporating older Mortal Kombat titles, such as Mortal Kombat Gold and Mythology of Sub-Zero, into the current game. This would expand the available content and appeal to long-time fans of the series.
Performance:
Players are experiencing a hard cap of 60 frames per second when playing the game at 2560 x 1440p resolution. This limitation can negatively impact the smoothness of gameplay for users with high-refresh-rate monitors.
Recommendations:
This game collection is highly recommended for enthusiasts of fighting games, those interested in video game history, or players looking to explore an iconic saga. It caters specifically to a niche audience with these interests.
Players are advised against purchasing the game if they are not already a fan of the series or genre. This suggests the game might not appeal to a broader audience and is best suited for existing enthusiasts.
The game has received a generally positive reception, with one review explicitly giving it a 4 out of 5 rating. This indicates a good overall player experience.
Miscellaneous:
Player feedback indicates a neutral sentiment, suggesting the game is considered 'okay' without strong positive or negative feelings. This assessment is based on very limited and non-specific feedback.