Last weekend, I got to partake in Mortal Kombat 11’s closed online beta. Featuring five playable characters (Scorpion, Jade, Kabal, Baraka, and Skarlet) and three stages, the beta succeeded in making me quite excited for Mortal Kombat 11’s full release later this month.
One major difference between MK11 and its predecessors is its gameplay speed. Mortal Kombat 11 is certainly slower than MK9 and X, with more of a focus on ground-based footsies than any real aerial combat. This change in pace is off-putting at first, but I quickly came around to this new and slightly slower Mortal Kombat. It’s difficult to describe, but the rhythm of MK11’s combat is a step-up from previous titles, as it helped me learn the basics of each character more quickly than in previous NetherRealm games. Having less aerial options is another improvement. I’ve always felt that Mortal Kombat works far better when it’s earthbound.
I especially like that X-Ray hits are essentially built into combos and regular attacks when done correctly. They don’t drag on, so these brutal bone-breaking smashes add real impact to regular attacks without messing with the flow of combat. The inclusion of alternate costumes is an appreciated addition as well, especially Scorpion’s “Klassic” ninja outfit.
Visually, things are looking great– for the most part. Character models are looking far better than some shoddy early screenshots may have suggested, as each character looks incredible. Fatalities are gorier and more visceral than ever, and the previously mentioned X-Ray attacks are intense but not as ridiculous as they were in MK9. Fatal Blows are ridiculous, but in a visually stunning way. Watching a chained kunai be forced into someone’s eye-socket doesn’t sound particularly artistic, but I have to say that it’s unpleasantly enjoyable to watch.
The online was a bit wonky, as myself or my opponent would lag and drop frames somewhat frequently. The majority of my time playing the beta was fine, but these slowdowns were still an annoyance. I’m not too concerned, since the point of a beta is to find issues to iron out, but it’s worth noting nonetheless.
Overall, the online beta has succeeded in making me more hyped than ever for Mortal Kombat 11, and that’s without having experienced any single-player content yet. Mortal Kombat 11 releases for the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on April 23rd.
