Mortal Kombat is a fighting video game developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment. Mortal Kombat 11 is the latest in the series. Running on the Unreal Engine 3, it is the eleventh main installment of the Mortal Kombat frenchise. The game is set to be released worldwide on April 23, 2019, for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Mortal Kombat 11’s story campaign is set immediately after the events of 2011’s Mortal Kombat. According to NetherRealm’s official description, “Raiden has upset the balance of history with the death of Shinnok. Tired of Earthrealm’s defiance, Kronika, The Keeper of Time will bring order to the universe through any means necessary.”

Gameplay

The Mortal Kombat 11 trailer that was recently released showcases a new level of graphic violence, as well as peek at the customization and fighting variations coming to the game. Streams of blood, decapitations, organ removals and other examples of bold carnage are the symbols of the Mortal Kombat games, of course, but Mortal Kombat 11 takes it to the next level. It’s so unrealistic that it’s more slapstick and playful than a nightmare.

New gameplay features are introduced, called Fatal Blow and Krushing Blow. Fatal Blow is a special move that deals a large amount of damage but only becomes available when a player’s health drops below 30%. Fatal Blows can only be performed once per match so players will have to use it strategically.

Crushing Blow is a special cinematic variation of a given special move, triggered when certain requirements are met like doing the same move three times in a row, countering a high attack, or tricking your opponent into blocking in a certain way could unleash a Crushing Blow. Each character will have five to six moves that can become Crushing Blows, which do huge amounts of damage. In addition to doing extra damage, they may also cause opponents to pop up into the air or immediately stand back up. There is a new Flawless Block mechanic, which allows for a comeback window after blocking an attack with precise timing.

Characters

The game is set to have 25 playable characters at launch. The first revealed characters were series veterans Baraka, Raiden, Scorpion, Sonya Blade, and Sub-Zero, as well as Skarlet. The studio also announced that pro wrestler and martial artist Ronda Rousey is playing the role of Sonya Blade.

NetherRealm revealed a new character named Geras. This is a time-manipulating god capable of rewinding time, produce sand-based attacks and literally punching your brain out of your skull. Newcomer Geras can summon objects made of stone and sand in battle and can use those powers to teleport himself and trap his enemies. He can also stop and rewind time, holding enemies in place while he punches them with rock-covered fists. You can the trailer to see Gera’s fight.

The game has introduced its first female boss character named Kronika who has powers over the flow of time but will not be playable. Each character has a unique set of outfits and weapons, which can be further customized by players via the Custom Variation feature.

The all-new Custom Character Variations give you unprecedented control to customize the fighters in more granular ways and make them your own. Players can choose which special abilities they want to take into battle for further customization. There’s also a “Kosmetic” component, which includes options like character skin, cinematic intros, victory screens, and even fatalities. Players will also have the option of naming their character.

The new graphics engine showcasing every skull-shattering, eye-popping moment, brings you so close to the fight you can feel it. And featuring a roster of new and returning Classic Fighters, Mortal Kombat’s best in class cinematic story mode continues the epic saga. NetherRealm is the only studio that seems to be able to sell a respectable amount of console copies at a time when other fighting games are struggling.