This is a review for the Ultimate content in Mortal Kombat 11. You can also check out our reviews for the base game and the Aftermath expansion, both of which are included in Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is more Mortal Kombat 11, and that’s a good thing. Rambo, Rain, and Mileena are excellent additions to the roster, and the visuals are incredible on the PS5. If you’ve yet to play Mortal Kombat 11, Ultimate is the way to go.
Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate
Developer: Netherrealms Studios
Price: $60
Platforms: PS4, PS5 (reviewed), Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC
MonsterVine was provided with a PS5 code for review
I’ve made no secret of my love for Mortal Kombat 11, as it’s proven to be an excellent fighter for fans of singleplayer and multiplayer content alike. With every bit of DLC, the game only gets better, and Ultimate is no exception. The new characters and the sharp visuals on next-gen consoles make this the truly definitive way to play Mortal Kombat 11.
“It’s somewhat surreal to have this grizzled military man using basic rope traps and knife swipes against demi-gods and demons, but I love the contrast.“
Newly added to Mortal Kombat 11 in Ultimate are Mileena, Rain, and Rambo. I even mentioned back in my Aftermath review that I’d like to see Mileena return, so her inclusion in Ultimate has gotten me pretty excited. Her rabid and crazed attacks feel perfectly in-line with her character while making her a blast to play as. I really like her depraved and passionate vocal delivery, done perfectly by Kari Wahlgreen, as she has some great lines with other characters before each fight.
Rain’s return is a welcome one, as is his smooth gameplay style. So many of his attacks feel easy to string together, fitting for his role as the water ninja. Dempsey Pappion’s voice work feels natural for Rain, as he brings a real sense of class to the Edenian demi-god and prince. Then there’s Rambo, a peculiar but fantastic edition to Ultimate. Voiced by Sylvester Stallone himself (who sounds a bit tired but otherwise is fun to listen to,) Rambo’s arsenal of traps and close-quarters attacks are a lot of fun to use. It’s somewhat surreal to have this grizzled military man using basic rope traps and knife swipes against demi-gods and demons, but I love the contrast.
Finally, there’s the visuals, which are gloriously gory on the PS5. The native 4K resolution makes every bloody attack feel that much more visceral while looking better than ever. The load times are wonderfully brisk compared to the previous generation load screens, which I always appreciate greatly. Throw in the fact that the upgrade to PS5 is free (while the Ultimate characters are not, for clarification) and you have a great bundle to break in the new generation with.
The Final Word
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is the best and sharpest way to play Mortal Kombat 11. The new characters are natural fits and fun to play as, while the updated visuals and load times make the package all the more appealing. Whether or not you’ve played Mortal Kombat 11, there’s never been a better time to dive into the bloodbath that is Ultimate.
MonsterVine Review Score: 5 out of 5 – Excellent
