Gameplay



Like the previous two games in the series, Mortal Kombat 11 is a 2.5D fighting game. Alongside the returning Fatalities and Brutalities, new gameplay features are introduced, such as Fatal Blows and Krushing Blows. Fatal Blows are special moves similar to the X-ray moves in Mortal Kombat X. Like X-ray moves, Fatal Blows deal a large amount of damage, but unlike them, they only become available when a player's health drops below 30%, and can only be performed once per match. Krushing Blows are a special cinematic variation of a given special move, triggered when certain requirements are met, most like Brutalities in the previous game.[9] Also new to the series is a Flawless Block mechanic, which allows for a comeback window after blocking an attack with precise timing.[10] Another returning finisher is Mercy, last seen in Mortal Kombat 3, where the winning player can opt to revive their opponent, giving them a small amount of life.

Mortal Kombat 11 also introduces a Custom Variation feature which offers character customization features system similar to the Gear system in Netherrealm Studios' previous DC Comics fighting game, Injustice 2, improving over the Variation system featured in Mortal Kombat X. Each character has an initial set of outfits, weapons and moves, which can be further customized by the player. However, unlike Injustice 2, in Mortal Kombat 11 the characters' appearance does not determine their abilities, allowing the players to create custom move lists independently of their character's appearance.

Plot

Following Shinnok's defeat at the hands of Cassie Cage in Mortal Kombat X, a now-corrupted Raiden plans to protect Earthrealm by destroying all its enemies any way he can. Raiden decapitates Shinnok, which triggers Kronika, Shinnok's mother and keeper of time, to rewrite history in order to stop Raiden's interference. A Special Forces strike team led by Sonya Blade, Cassie, and Jacqui Briggs assaults the main cathedral in the Netherrealm, with Raiden providing a diversion to aid them. The team succeeds in destroying the base at the cost of Sonya's life. Kronika creates an alliance with Liu Kang and Kitana before causing temporal anomalies.

Kotal Kahn, the current emperor of Outworld, attempts to execute the Kollector, but is interrupted by Kronika. Shao Kahn, Skarlet, Baraka, and younger versions of Kano, Erron Black, Jade, Raiden, Kitana, Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Sonya, Jax, Scorpion, and Kung Lao appear from an alternate timeline. The battle in Kotal's arena ends when D'Vorah transports Baraka, Skarlet, Black, Shao Kahn, and Kano to her hive, recruiting them into Kronika's fold.

Dark Raiden is erased from existence, leaving Shinnok's amulet behind. Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Raiden show up at the base after forging an alliance with Kotal Kahn. They learn that there is an energy signal under the Wu Shi Academy. Liu Kang and Kung Lao's investigation leads to a battle with Kronika's subordinate Geras, and ends with Geras getting away with powerful energy capsules containing Earthrealm's life force.

The special forces learn that Sektor is making a cyber army for Kronika. Sub-Zero and Hanzo Hasashi are sent there. With the aid of Cyrax, they shut down the cyber Lin Kuei, forcing Geras and both versions of Kano to revive Sektor and rebuild the cybernetic army.

Raiden tries to consult with the Elder Gods. They refuse to help, but Cetrion, Kronika's daughter and an Elder Goddess, gives him ways to defeat her. Kronika recruits the present-day Jax to her side. Kotal Kahn and Jade go to a Tarkatan camp in order to turn them away from Shao Kahn, only to be captured.

The Special Forces base is destroyed by the Black Dragon and the cyber Lin Kuei, with the younger versions of Johnny Cage and Sonya captured in the process. Cassie leads a strike team to save her parents, where Sonya kills the younger version of Kano to erase his existence. Meanwhile, Kitana, Liu Kang, and Kung Lao battle Baraka in order to secure an alliance with him and Sheeva. With their aid, Kitana successfully kills Shao Kahn, uniting the Outworld factions and inheriting the throne from Kotal.

Raiden sends Jax and Jacqui to get the crown of souls from Shang Tsung's Island, but the pair are thwarted by Cetrion and present-day Jax.

Hasashi is tasked with getting Kharon, the person who sends the unfortunate souls to the Netherrealm, to join their side so they can defeat Kronika. Hasashi fights his younger self, and persuades him to join his side. Right after the younger version agrees, D'Vorah poisons Hanzo. As he is dying, he tells Scorpion to get Kharon. Scorpion returns to the Fire Garden and is attacked by Raiden who assumes Scorpion has not changed. Raiden resorts to Shinnok's amulet, which makes him and Liu Kang clash. Raiden stops after realizing that his battles with Liu Kang in different timelines were a part of Kronika's machinations. Anticipating Raiden's realization, Kronika kidnaps Liu Kang. With Kharon recruited, Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Cassie, Jacqui, Kitana, Sheeva, Jade, and Baraka lead a joint Earthrealm/Outworld task force to assault Kronika's keep. Geras is dropped in the bottomless sea of blood, Frost is defeated and shut down, disabling the Cyber Lin-Kuei, and the older Jax defects to the heroes' side.

Kronika sends revenant Liu Kang to attack Raiden. Raiden merges with him, and becomes Fire God Liu Kang. The heroes breach the Keep, only for Kronika to restore history to its beginning, except for Fire God Liu Kang. The story, depending on the player's actions during the final battle, ends with Kronika killing Fire God Liu Kang; a mortal Raiden becoming Lord Liu Kang's ally in shaping the new era or Lord Liu Kang having Kitana as his partner in shaping the new era.

Characters



Main article: List of Mortal Kombat characters
The game's roster consists of 25 playable characters at launch.[13][14][15] The characters in bold are new to the series.

Base roster DLC
Baraka
Cassie Cage
Cetrion
D'Vorah

Erron Black
Frost[note 1]
Geras
Jacqui Briggs
Jade
Jax
Johnny Cage
Kabal
Kano
Kitana
Kollector
Kotal Kahn
Kung Lao
Liu Kang
Noob Saibot
Raiden
Scorpion
Shao Kahn[note 2]
Skarlet
Sonya Blade
Sub-Zero
Shang Tsung[17]