| 1 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 2 | |
| 3 | [[folder:A-L]] |
| 4 | * AbandonShipping: |
| 5 | ** While the ship is still popular when discussing prior timelines, many Kuai Liang x Tomas Vrbada shippers abandoned the ship without hesitation, at least in regards to the New Era, when it was revealed that the two are now [[RelatedInTheAdaptation adoptive brothers]]. |
| 6 | ** Similarly, Kuai Liang x Hanzo Hasashi shippers were quick to abandon the New Era version of the ship after Smoke's arcade ending revealed that Hanzo had been [[AgeLift aged down]] into a young boy, while Kuai Liang was revealed in his own arcade ending to now be HappilyMarried to his [[ChildhoodFriendRomance childhood friend]], [[SparedByAdaptation Harumi Shirai]], who was Hanzo's [[TheLostLenore deceased wife]] in the previous timelines. |
| 7 | * AccidentalAesop: |
| 8 | ** Don't be afraid to trust others with your secrets and let them into your life, even if it means you have to show vulnerability. A lot of the friction between Earthrealm and Outworld comes from Sindel and Liu Kang keeping secrets from each other. Many of the heroic characters either learn to be more accepting and trustful of each other, or are open about their unfortunate pasts from the start and so earn sympathy from others (and the player), while the villains are all secretly scheming behind the backs of others [[spoiler:and are themselves betrayed by someone else's secret scheme]]. Throughout the story, it is shown that trust is a key ingredient of peace and cooperation, and keeping secrets and being afraid of looking weak in front of others only leads to misunderstandings. Trust, in fact, is how [[spoiler:a war between Earthrealm and Outworld]] is averted. |
| 9 | ** [[TheNeedsOfTheMany The needs of the many]] outweigh the needs of the few. Liu Kang learning from Kronika's mistakes and his conscious decision to be more hands-off resulted in an overall better timeline, but individuals still suffering such as Baraka and Reptile think of him as inept and partially blame him for their troubles (even if they still manage to muster their own heroism to stay in the light). The biggest example is the handling of the Lin Kuei. Turning them into an Earthrealm defense force from the beginning works really well for the heroic Kuai Liang and Tomas, but not the ambitious Bi-Han left chafing under Liu Kang's command. Though this would [[spoiler:turn the Lin Kuei against Earthrealm]], it also results in [[spoiler:the creation of the fully heroic Shirai Ryu to serve their former role]]. |
| 10 | ** '''Choose your destiny''' yourself. No matter how bad the decision is, everyone is free to pursue their chosen dreams and destiny that they decide themselves. Despite being judged harshly by their contemporaries for taking the path of evil, villains like [[spoiler:Bi-Han]], General Shao, Reiko, Nitara and Rain (and even Shang Tsung and Quan Chi) are merely pursuing what they personally believe to be right; Liu Kang gave them freedom to decide and do what is right in their opinion and they still have all the rights to exercise it rather than [[BlindObedience blindly following a rule set in stone.]] In a sense, even if Liu Kang may be disappointed with their turns to evil, it's still within the designs of his new world instead of repeating Kronika's mistake of having everyone follow her designs to the absolute way. Despite the aforementioned hiccups, the world turned out much better because everyone is still given a chance to choose their own destiny rather than being shackled with a set outcome. |
| 11 | * {{Adorkable}}: Smoke quickly picked up a reputation as the resident "good boy" of the roster, with his mix of reserved seriousness, [[NiceGuy unyielding politeness]], and weirdly emotionally-open personality endearing himself to many. Other quirks like his genuine excitement towards the idea of working with Johnny Cage on a movie and his lame attempt to sound tough before Sindel by [[GiverOfLameNames calling himself "the King of Smoke"]], further establishing how much of a likeably awkward dork he can be. |
| 12 | * AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: |
| 13 | ** At the start of the game, a battered and down-on-his-luck Shang Tsung is shown examining his reflection with a weary expression, as though he's regretting how his life has turned out. Was he just upset that his lies and quack cures had gotten him beaten up, or was he potentially on the verge of a HeelRealization? [[spoiler:The presence of a ''heroic'' Shang Tsung during the Battle of Armageddon shows that it's not impossible for Shang Tsung to become a better person]], and Liu Kang explicitly hoped that his old nemesis might reform in the New Era. Worth mentioning is that it's during ''this'' moment that Damashi presents herself to Shang Tsung, and that she quickly tempts him with power and prestige; was the timing a coincidence, or was [[spoiler:Shang Tsung's Titan counterpart]] deliberately interfering to ensure that Shang Tsung ends up as the soul-stealing scoundrel of past timelines, either to secure a powerful servant or [[spoiler:to further spite Liu Kang]]? |
| 14 | ** When Liu Kang gifts Raiden his amulet that gives him lightning abilities, he says its to help level the playing field when he faces Outworld's kombatants, as they have their own mystical abilities. While he's correct, none of the kombatants Raiden faces have magic on the level that the amulet gives him, or at least if they do they don't use it to fight as much. Liu Kang debriefs Raiden on his opponents he is expected to face, so he knows that the Outworlders Raiden is going to face are not particularly prominent magic-users. Was the amulet ''really'' to "level the playing field", or was Liu Kang knowingly giving Raiden an unfair advantage and told him a little white lie to ease his conscience? After all, Liu Kang says that Earthrealm's victories in the tournament are to quell the more militant factions of Outworld and prove their realm's strength to them, so he has a perfectly reasonable motivation to engage in a little match fixing for the sake of peace. |
| 15 | ** Despite being thoroughly unpleasant, a lot of Sub-Zero's actions are ripe with other alternate interpretations which can make him look a little more understandable and giving him a bit of nuance rather than a {{Jerkass}} played completely straight': |
| 16 | *** When Smoke mentions their father's teachings, Sub-Zero angrily puts him down and [[KickTheDog insults him]] [[AdoptionDiss for being adopted]]. Is this attitude typical for [[{{Jerkass}} Bi-Han]], or was he agitated by the mention of their recently deceased father? [[spoiler:Given [[MurderByInaction how]] said father died, if the latter is true, then is Bi-Han just upset at being reminded of the "old fool" he supplanted, instead of being shown the unflinching deference he thinks the Lin Kuei's Grandmaster deserves, or is his anger born out of repressed guilt?]] |
| 17 | *** [[spoiler:During Sub-Zero's FaceHeelTurn, he explicitly mentions that his father's death was an accident (the nature of which is left vague) and that Bi-Han [[MurderByInaction allowed him to die]]; is he telling the truth about simply seizing an opportunity, or is he lying and either [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident faked the accident]] or even caused it? And if he is being honest, did the possibility of killing his father simply not occur to Bi-Han, or is direct {{patricide}} just a line [[EvenEvilHasStandards even he wouldn't cross]]?]] |
| 18 | *** [[spoiler:His betrayal itself. Is Bi-Han just deciding that Liu Kang can't offer more for his own lust and deciding to dump him, or is he merely practicing his own free will at deciding which one is good or bad for him? He does have [[VisionaryVillain his own visions of what constitutes as a better future]], and the first thing he said in his Tower ending is "Freeing his clan from Liu Kang's slavery". Also helps his case that Liu Kang has some 'unforeseen consequences' in his new creations that even those who end up on his good graces in the end doubt some of his decision making. Of course, taking on both sides into accounts, it may also counts of Bi-Han displaying TheEvilsOfFreeWill.]] |
| 19 | ** [[spoiler:Is General Shao's post-story contempt for Sub-Zero's treachery a clear-cut case of {{hypocri|te}}sy, or something more nuanced? Bi-Han betrayed [[MurderByInaction his father]] and his realm, and Shao is shown to have both a high opinion of his own late father and a strong loyalty to Outworld, (if not to its sovereign rulers); it may be that Shao takes less issue with the fact that Sub-Zero betrayed someone, and more with the fact that he betrayed things that Shao himself would never betray. Alternatively, Shao had no problem with Bi-Han betraying his former allies since they’re his enemies. [[EvenEvilHasStandards But he was more bothered that Bi-Han would betray his father since Shao still reveres his.]]]] |
| 20 | ** While the previous Grandmaster has been touted as a virtuous man who followed the good tenets of Lin Kuei that [[spoiler:would be succeeded by Kuai Liang]], it's left ambiguous and up to the player's interpretation on just how ''virtuous'' he is and whether Bi-Han's issues against him and [[spoiler:his betrayal]] is legitimately justified or just him being ambitiously petty. As a reminder, fellow good leader like Sindel has made a claim that a benevolent ruler must also act sharp and ruthless when the time calls (if only for the sake of realism). With that being said, there is a possibility that aside of following Liu Kang's instructions, the previous Grandmaster also has a hidden shrewd and ruthless side which while used for a good purpose (like maintaining order), it makes him look a little hypocritical in his role. [[spoiler:And rubs Bi-Han in the wrongest way possible that he hates his dad and eventually betrays him.]] |
| 21 | * AngstWhatAngst: [[spoiler:Syzoth seems to get over the death of his family fairly quickly, despite the fact that Shang Tsung holding them hostage was the only reason he served the sorcerer. Intro dialogues even state he has now developed an interest in Ashrah.]] |
| 22 | * AntiClimaxBoss: Blood Moon Nitara is actually rather easy all things considered, since she doesn't have a gimmick as annoying as the previous Invasion boss and she can easily be defeated by characters who have the elemental advantage over her such as Raiden or even Rain. Then again, with her coming right after the absurdly difficult Spectre Scorpion, pretty much anyone would consider her easy. |
| 23 | * AssPull: Late into the game, General Shao attacks Liu Kang and his allies with [[spoiler:the Amulet of Shinnok]]. He uses it to trap four of them within it, then after he's defeated in the following match, Liu Kang frees them and it vanishes from the story without further mention. It's not known where Shao even got it, because both Geras and Liu Kang claim it shouldn't exist in this timeline and give a quick HandWave "its creator is powerless". Despite [[spoiler:Shinnok's amulet]] being a relic of great importance in both the original timeline and the rebooted trilogy, and its existence in this timeline being a huge question mark with massive implications for the cosmology of the new era, it is used simply as a convenient way to incapacitate a few members of the cast for a single, brief cutscene, with no explanation of where it came from or what happened to it afterward. |
| 24 | * AwesomeEgo: Johnny Cage and Kung Lao are just as egotistical as they are in the previous timeline, but with more humble traits so they come off less like {{Manchild}}ren this time around. |
| 25 | * BaseBreakingCharacter: Sub-Zero. While many fans were looking forward to Bi-Han once again donning he mantle of Sub-Zero, there are those who are upset with the AdaptationalVillainy and [[AdaptationalJerkass Jerkassery]] he received in the game that basically turns him into Sektor, with some even accusing Netherrealm of [[RonTheDeathEater making Sub-Zero look bad]] in order to [[CharacterShilling prop up Scorpion]]. [[note]]It doesn't help that Kuai Liang, who has long been known as the "good" Sub-Zero, now holds the mantle of "Scorpion," who is Ed Boon's favorite character.[[/note]] Others have no problem with this as they believe that he's always been evil and even if he wasn't, they justify this characterization as, this being a new era, not all characters will remain the same as their previous versions. And then [[TakeAThirdOption there are those who]], while not liking the characterization, believe that Bi-Han will have a RedemptionQuest in a future game or those who are just glad that [[SparedByTheAdaptation Bi-Han is given a longer time as Sub-Zero, as he usually got killed off and turned into Noob Saibot too quickly in every past timeline]], so they're looking forward to seeing the potential of 'Bi-Han living longer than expected' regardless of where he places himself alignment-wise. |
| 26 | * BigLippedAlligatorMoment: |
| 27 | ** Several Kameo Fighters in Story Mode fights can be seen as this, as they're never really acknowledged within the scene itself even if they're other distinct characters in the story. |
| 28 | *** The Elemental Spirits that serve as Kameo Fighters in Raiden, Sub-Zero, and Scorpion's chapters are solely an excuse to give said fighters their respective Kameo counterparts in contexts where they otherwise would be fighting alone. While Raiden's at least could be justified as a power granted by the amulet given to him by Liu Kang for the tournament (which is corroborated by having three of them appear during his Fatal Blow), none of them are ever explicitly acknowledged within the story, especially in the case of the latter two characters. |
| 29 | *** [[spoiler: Ermac]] randomly has Sareena as a Kameo in all their fights. [[spoiler: While she is present in the scene of his initial creation, she also randomly shows up for his battles against Sub-Zero and Mileena with no acknowledgement of her being present in either scene]]. |
| 30 | *** [[spoiler: Dark Sindel has Dark Nitara as a Kameo for her fight with Mileena, who not only wasn't present in the scene prior, but also turns up later with the rest of Titan Shang Tsung's fighters when they assault the Hourglass two chapters later. Considering Mileena apparently killed the former in their fight, its strange that Nitara goes unmentioned in the subsequent cutscenes.]] |
| 31 | * BrokenBase: |
| 32 | ** The entire final act of the game has had some divided opinions. On one hand all the CallBack and {{Mythology Gags}} to the past games, especially the [=PS2=] era games and [[spoiler: [[EarnYourHappyEnding the endings where nearly everyone in the New Era gets a happy ending]]]] have made the story really pay off for some. While others feel it makes the [[SerialEscalation stakes too high and too over the top]], detracting from the relatively smaller scale the story was taking beforehand. |
| 33 | ** On a lesser note, the title. Some people appreciate it for being different and selling the ContinuityReboot aspect of the game, others dislike it for making the [[VideoGame/MortalKombat1992 original game]] harder to talk about and preferring to call this Mortal Kombat 12 instead. |
| 34 | * CatharsisFactor: |
| 35 | ** [[HateSink Homelander]] from ''Series/TheBoys2019'' being a GuestFighter in a ''Mortal Kombat'' game means, much like the Joker in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'', players can relish in [[AssholeVictim inflicting all manner of horrible Fatalities on him]]. |
| 36 | ** Though you may feel tempted to [[AlasPoorVillain feel a little sorry for him]], it's cathartic to see Shang Tsung (now reduced to a con-man selling snake-oil medicine) get his ass beat and unable to defend himself after he's exposed as a fraud by a man he sold a fake potion to, who lost his money and his daughter to sickness thanks to Shang's trickery. |
| 37 | ** Sindel [[spoiler: getting her own chapter where she gets to beat up Shao]] was met with catharsis by fans too. Many also enjoyed seeing her use a fatality on Shao in her debut trailer as a TakeThat towards Evil Sindel and her relationship with Shao in the previous game. |
| 38 | ** [[spoiler:Mileena's own chapter, she defeats and kills an evil version of Sindel, who is Mileena's biological mother in this timeline]]. This is cathartic on two levels: firstly, Mileena fans are glad she gets to do something in story mode other than being defeated or killed. Secondly, Mileena killing [[spoiler:the most despised version of Sindel brought great joy to fans.]] |
| 39 | ** In arcade mode, if the player picks Scorpion or Sareena as their Kameo, then it's ''very'' satisfying to see them beat the ever loving hell out of Quan Chi in the final battle. In addition, this also applies with Shang Tsung and any of the main roster cast that he screwed over- Kenshi, Syzoth/Reptile, or Kung Lao. |
| 40 | ** The ending of Invasion mode Season 1: [[spoiler:after the villainous Scorpion is subdued, Liu Kang tracks down an alternate version of Harumi who, like Hanzo, lost her love to Quan Chi and became Scorpion. Seeing Hanzo finally reunite with his beloved wife and take revenge on Quan Chi (this time without [[VideoGame/MortalKombatX causing more problems than he fixes]]) is a great relief to fans who had seen Hanzo suffer seemingly endlessly in past titles.]] |
| 41 | * CharacterRerailment: After ''[=MK11=]'' retconning Sindel into an EvilAllAlong TrophyWife for Shao Kahn was met with [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks immense backlash]] and caused that game's depiction of her to become [[TheScrappy one of the most hated characters in the franchise]], Sindel's reversion back to her original heroic characterization in this game as a flawed, but ultimately well-meaning [[ReasonableAuthorityFigure Empress of Outworld]] and [[ParentsAsPeople mother to her children]] was very positively received by fans. |
| 42 | * ComplacentGamingSyndrome: |
| 43 | ** Kameo Sareena is an extremely popular choice in online play as her double knives gives combo damage when confirmed into, a move which slots well with pretty much every character in the cast. The knives also give free pressure against opponents who don't know the proper counter-play to it. While there are definitely ways to punish reckless usage of her knives and better players will also incorporate her meter drain and reversal flip kick moves, the ease of use for her knives still makes her very common among beginners. |
| 44 | ** Second to Sareena in terms of overused online Kameos is Frost, whose low-hitting freeze can cheese opponents who aren't specifically looking out for it from across the screen, leading to piss-easy kombo setups for basically the entire roster. |
| 45 | ** In the early days of high level play, however, the most used Kameo in the entire game was ''by far'' Cyrax, as he had several traits that made him a borderline GameBreaker. Like in previous games, his Net projectile is effectively a free combo on hit. His Kopter Chopper, which can be used both horizontally and vertically, greatly extends most kombos and adds an extra hit of damage with very little room for error, including dealing a ton of pressure and chip damage even when the opponent is blocking successfully. Finally, Cyrax has the unique property to burn two meter in order to cause his throw to launch the opponent. Considering the aforementioned Kopter Chopper can be used on certain characters to launch ''after'' their throw to start an air kombo, this makes Cyrax a literal kombo machine. Netherrealm eventually had to take the nerf bat to Cyrax and the characters that abused him the most (bar Johnny Cage), opening the door for the next public enemy number one... |
| 46 | ** Kameo!Kung Lao: in the same patch that effectively killed Cyrax, Lao was left with only a slight nerf to Buzzsaw's recharge time and his Spin no longer launching when used as a reversal. Nothing else about Buzzsaw was actually touched, namely that it's a low projectile that's plus on block even without charge and becomes a powerful setplay tool when held in place. There is basically no character in the game that can't find some use for this Kameo; those who are nominally balanced around the lack of a projectile in their base kit can get access to what is considered the best projectile in the game to aid their approach, while zoners find their projectile game open up significantly with the added threat of a low Buzzsaw. |
| 47 | * CompleteMonster: |
| 48 | ** [[Characters/MortalKombatShangTsung Shang Tsung]] reincarnates into the New Era as a corrupt SnakeOilSalesman before his powers are restored and he squanders any chance of redemption to subjugate the realms. Colluding with Quan Chi, Shang Tsung infiltrates Outworld's court and manipulates the warmongering [[Characters/MortalKombatShao General Shao]] to spark war against Earthrealm. The conflict would kill millions and give Quan Chi the souls necessary to revive the Dragon Army, leaving both realms easy pickings for conquest. In his spare time, [[MadScientist Shang Tsung's main hobby is performing fatal experiments]] on live victims who end up in his Flesh Pits, [[BodyHorror mutilating and twisting their bodies]] to build new creations. The Flesh Pits are guarded by Syzoth--aka Reptile--whose family is held hostage by Shang Tsung to coerce his service. When Syzoth fails him, Shang Tsung callously reveals that he killed them long ago anyway, remarking that he hates "loose ends". |
| 49 | ** [[Characters/MortalKombatQuanChi Quan Chi]], [[FromNobodyToNightmare once an Edenian slave]] working in the Outworld mines, realized his potential as a truly vile EvilSorcerer thanks to Damashi's interference. Using his new powers of necromancy to assist Shang Tsung in kickstarting a massive war between Outworld and Earthrealm, Quan Chi plants [[YourSoulIsMine Soul Stealers]] across the lands, killing millions of people and using their souls to empower Shang Tsung’s Dragon Army. |
| 50 | ** [[spoiler:Titan Shang Tsung from ''Aftermath'' returns.]] See [[Monster/MortalKombat this page]] for details. |
| 51 | * ContestedSequel: ''Mortal Kombat 1'' is perhaps the most polarizing game in the series, to date. In one camp, the game features the tried-and-true gameplay used since ''[=MK9=]'', a lively and diverse roster including several characters that haven't been playable since ''Armageddon'', and an engaging base story mode that acts as as a compelling SoftReboot of the franchise, seen by most as [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel definitely a step up from the intensely polarizing storyline]] of ''11''. In the other camp, the game suffers from its lack of post-campaign single-player content, poor online (keep in mind that the game requires online connection even for the single-player modes), overpriced microtransactions, and the highly controversial Invasion mode that either rectifies or exacerbates the concerns of grinding from the previous game. [[AssistCharacter The Kameo Fighter system]] that defines this title's gameplay is also greatly divisive, either seen as a breath of fresh air that opens up the floodgates for more player expression and creativity regarding their play styles, or seen as too limited when compared to the likes of [[StanceSystem Variations]] or customizable move sets, while also introducing a steep skill floor. |
| 52 | * CreepyAwesome: Quan Chi, as ever, is a creepy EvilSorcerer with a [[EvilSoundsDeep hellishly deep voice]] and dark powers. This version proves even more creepy than usual (despite not being a Netherrealm demon in the New Era) due to his wide-eyed, unblinking stare and the [[KrakenAndLeviathan tentacled monsters]] he summons in kombat. |
| 53 | %% |
| 54 | %% Playable characters cannot be Darkhorses per definition. |
| 55 | %% |
| 56 | * EnsembleDarkhorse: |
| 57 | ** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM619bvlQXU Madam Bo]], the elderly owner of a restaurant Kung Lao and Raiden often have dinner at, has already earned a lot of fans because of her kind-yet-stern grandmotherly personality and the way she basically treats Raiden and Kung Lao as her honorary grandsons. Then the Lin Kuei attack her restaurant and try to intimidate her, which prompts her to ''[[BullyingADragon deck Smoke square in the face]]'', after which she manages to trade blows with him for a short while before the younger Ninja overpowers her. Many fans are already hoping she will eventually become a DLC fighter, or at least a [[AssistCharacter Kameo]]. |
| 58 | ** The New Era version of Khameleon already got a lot of fans ever since her brief "reveal" in the Umgadi trailer, with many pleased to see such an obscure character finally make an appearance outside of Nintendo ports of previous games. Her MysteriousPast and later addition as a tricky Kameo Fighter did much to help her earn popularity among fans. Plenty are hoping she becomes a proper playable character at some point either as DLC or a future game. |
| 59 | ** [[spoiler:Harumi Shirai, the New Era's version of Hanzo Hasashi's wife, only appears in a few stills of Scorpion and Smoke's arcade endings, but her AdaptationalBadass qualities and the implication of a [[HeroOfAnotherStory storied past]] make her far more interesting to fans than [[DeathByOriginStory her previous depiction]]. Her AlternateSelf who became Scorpion in Hanzo's place has also received plenty of positive attention for her cool design, intriguing past, and her role in providing the long-suffering Hanzo a genuine happy ending. Many fans want either version of Harumi in the roster, either in a future game or as a DLC character.]] |
| 60 | %% |
| 61 | %% Playable characters cannot be Darkhorses per definition. |
| 62 | %% |
| 63 | * EpilepticTrees: |
| 64 | ** Ever since Kuai Liang was confirmed to become Scorpion, there have been numerous theories about what role Hanzo Hasashi could now play in the new timeline, with one of the most popular being that he'll take the role of Noob Saibot, a role normally occupied by Bi-Han who is now back to life. [[spoiler:In the final game, Smoke’s tower ending shows him encountering a young Hanzo and recruiting him for the new Shirai Ryu.]] |
| 65 | ** The same 17-minute video has some people assuming that the Outworlder confronting Shang Tsung over his lies is a pre-Tarkat Baraka. Considering their similar appearances it might be true. [[spoiler:In the final game, Baraka has no pre-existing enmity for Shang Tsung, and he only says that his family died of Tarkat, with no mention of a daughter dying because of Shang Tsung's fake medicine like the Outworlder in the opening scene. However Baraka does mention that Tarkat eventually turns its victims into mindless beasts, so memory loss could be one of its effects.]] |
| 66 | ** Multiple intro interactions reveal the now mortal Raiden has a sister, leading many to theorize that she's a [[GenderSwap Gender Swapped]] version of Fujin. This is helped by Fujin's arcade mode ending in the last game where he discovered multiple alternate versions of himself, one of which was a woman. Cetrion is a less commonly speculated candidate for Raiden's sister. |
| 67 | ** Given her role as the one that trained Kung Lao and Raiden (who, in this timeline, has the life Liu Kang used to have), having "Bo" in her name, being strongly associated with a type of beverage, and some intro interactions mentioning she seemed to have been in Outworld before, it's often speculated that Madam Bo is either a {{Gender Swap}}ped version of Bo'Rai Cho or at least be related to him in some way (by blood or by marriage). |
| 68 | * EstrogenBrigade: While it's not surprising being a Mortal Kombat game, the redesign of the characters have been very well received by fans. It's as if Liu Kang said 'Screw it, in my timeline, I'm making everyone beautiful' with the Fire God new design himself have been greatly appreciated. However, the biggest contenders in the game would be Syzoth aka Reptile with his very handsome human form and being one of the main focus characters of the game instead of being a regular mook, Johnny Cage being well... Johnny Cage. Then there's Bi-Han, who despite still being a huge {{Jerkass}} [[spoiler: and eventually pulling a FaceHeelTurn,]] has a villanous charisma coupled with being a hunk just screams TallDarkAndHandsome. |
| 69 | * EvilIsCool: |
| 70 | ** [[spoiler:While his AdaptationalVillainy [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks hasn't gone over well with everyone]], combat-wise, Bi-Han still retains what it means to hold the mantle of Sub-Zero: Kool, awesome and in the same time also brutal and actually enhances his new villainous aura. In addition of his best look to date, these are what holds the fandom of Bi-Han together in spite of his controversial personality change. Additionally, Bi-Han also shows a good amount of VillainousValor and avoiding other villain pitfalls like being a coward or wishy-washy; he knows he'll be called the villain for his actions, but [[TheUnfettered he will definitely stick to his path no matter what]].]] |
| 71 | ** Shang Tsung's [[FauxAffablyEvil hollow charms]], vicious fighting style, and [[DeadpanSnarker cutting sense of humor]] have, as usual, earned him a lot of love from fans. [[spoiler:His Titan self, the game's BigBad, carries over the manipulative charm and monumental ego he demonstrated back in ''Aftermath'', quickly made his usual impression despite being the most evil character in the story.]] |
| 72 | ** General Shao is a hulking, brutal GeneralRipper whose impressive design and [[AdaptationalNiceGuy nobler characterization]] have won him plenty of fans. |
| 73 | ** Havik is an [[AxCrazy absolutely deranged]] BombThrowingAnarchist, but his ridiculously gory and brutal fighting style (even by ''Mortal Kombat'' standards) quickly got a lot of positive attention. [[spoiler:His Titan counterpart in TheStinger quickly made a positive impression on fans as well.]] |
| 74 | ** The version of Scorpion/Hanzo Hasashi who serves as the villain for Season 1 of Invasion mode is a [[EvilIsPetty petty]], yet [[DrivenToMadness tragic]] figure whose cool and intimidating design, along with [[spoiler:his genuinely [[EarnYourHappyEnding happy ending]]]] made a good impression on fans. |
| 75 | ** Omni-Man carries over his intimidating presence from his [[ComicBook/{{Invincible}} comic]] and [[WesternAnimation/Invincible2021 animated selves]], helped by Creator/JKSimmons reprising the role from the latter. |
| 76 | ** Quan Chi's unnerving, [[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheTempleOfDoom Mola Ram-inspired]] appearance quickly made a CreepyAwesome impression on players, as did his distinctive and disturbing gameplay style, which involves [[ThinkingUpPortals portals]] to both attack his opponent and summon tentacled horrors to fight for him. |
| 77 | * FanNickname: |
| 78 | ** ''Mortal Kombat 12'', since the previous game was ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'', and to avoid confusion because [[VideoGame/MortalKombat1992 the original unnumbered game]] was nicknamed ''Mortal Kombat 1'' ever since [[VideoGame/MortalKombatII the second game]] (using II instead of 2) came out. Funnily enough, a bug in Sindel's chapter actually confirms this to be the game's Internal Project Name; a line of the subtitles instead shows its ID tag, which is "''[=MK12=]''_148_154,11". |
| 79 | ** Some fans also call it "Mortal 1 Kombat" for distinction as well since it's how the title is literally arranged on the box. |
| 80 | ** ''Bi-Juan'' for [[https://imgur.com/CRqCNcz Bi-Han's Día de Muertos skin]] (in some pieces of fanart, the artist even lets him speak Spanish). |
| 81 | ** ''[[spoiler:Kitanya]]'' and ''[[spoiler:Bi-Quan]]'', respectively, for the [[spoiler:Kitana/Tanya and Sub-Zero/Quan Chi fusions from TheStinger]]. |
| 82 | ** Peacemaker is very frequently just called "Wrestling/JohnCena" due to a combination of IAmNotLeonardNimoy and Cena already being a FountainOfMemes even without the Peacemaker connection. |
| 83 | %% Do not add FanPreferredCouple until a month has passed since the game's release. |
| 84 | * FanficFuel: |
| 85 | ** [[spoiler:''Any and all'' of the massive AllianceOfAlternates that both Liu Kang and Titan Shang Tsung recruit for the Battle of Armageddon. The diversity, distinctiveness, and downright ''wackiness'' of these [[OneSceneWonder briefly seen, but memorable kombatants]] is enough to make any fanfic writer salivate.]] |
| 86 | ** [[spoiler:The ending of Invasion mode introduces a version of Harumi Hasashi, Hanzo's wife, [[SwappedRoles who became Scorpion after Quan Chi killed her husband]]; her story and its potential similarities to and differences from Hanzo's are rife with potential.]] |
| 87 | * GoddamnBats: Appropriately, most of the fights against Nitara in Invasions tend to be a massive pain. Not only does she tend to have massive amounts of HP and damage resistance, but she also has a particularly annoying interaction with how Invasions gives NPC fighters super armor.[[labelnote:Explanation]] Normally, they'll get super armor during their combo strings and specials, with a small slowed interval where it's ineffective so the player can punish them if they're fast enough. However, the super armor will ''also'' usually last for the entirety of self buffing moves or stance changes with no vulnerability period, such as with Shao's buff or Johnny Cage's taunts.[[/labelnote]]Nitara's gameplay heavily revolves around her entering a unique hovering stance for her combos, and for whatever reason Invasions applies the aforementioned super armor ''the entire time she's in that stance'', making fights with her take much longer than they should because of how often she uses it and how long the stance lasts. |
| 88 | * GoodBadBugs: |
| 89 | ** One bug can cause a severed limb to occasionally reappear on the victim's body after a Brutality. Some players, who encountered that bug after doing a Brutality on Havik, initially believed this to be a case of DevelopersForesight due to the character having a HealingFactor. |
| 90 | ** One of Cyrax's Kameo Attacks is to self destruct, inflicting damage on either player if they're standing next to him when he goes boom. Now what happens if [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swvRHivWfFY you finish the final boss of an arcade tower with it?]] |
| 91 | * HarsherInHindsight: Ashrah tells Johnny Cage that Hollywood is filled with evil with him agreeing with her. The plot in ''WesternAnimation/MortalKombatLegendsCageMatch'' would reveal that [[spoiler:a large amount of people in Hollywood (Be it demons or just worshipers) are a part of a secret cult that worships Shinnok.]] |
| 92 | * HeReallyCanAct: Unlike the example of Creator/MeganFox as Nitara, Creator/JohnCena was met with a lot of positivity with his role as Peacemaker hammering his emotions. |
| 93 | * HilariousInHindsight: [[HilariousInHindsight/MortalKombat Shares a page with the rest of the franchise]]. |
| 94 | * HoYay: |
| 95 | ** From story mode to pre-fight intros, the relationship between Johnny and Kenshi starts off from hostile to eventually them having a ''very'' close bond, which some players have noticed several moments during their arc together that can be considered to have romantic undertones to them. |
| 96 | *** Johnny screams out Kenshi's name in horror as he witnessed him [[spoiler:getting his eyes gouged out by Mileena. Then when the heroes are thrown into the prison in Shang Tsung's lab, the first thing Johnny does after waking up is worryingly checking up on Kenshi, in which later Johnny rips a strip of cloth applied with salve to put around where Kenshi's eyes once were.]] |
| 97 | *** Johnny calling Kenshi his "best friend" in his announcer intros isn't suspect on its own...except he also calls Tanya (Mileena's love interest) "Mileena's bestie" and Sareena (Sub-Zero's love interest in [[VideoGame/MortalKombatMythologiesSubZero MKM:SZ]]) "Bi-han's future bestie". It doesn't help that one of his other nicknames for Kenshi is "Sexy Face 2". |
| 98 | * IKnewIt: |
| 99 | ** Upon Scorpion and Sub-Zero being revealed to be brothers in this game, many believed that Kuai Liang, the 2nd Sub-Zero, has taken up the mantle of the former. During an interview with IGN, Dominic Cianciolo, while discussing Smoke, would confirm that the Scorpion in this game is indeed Kuai Liang. |
| 100 | ** With Liu Kang becoming the new Keeper of Time, many predicted that if Geras were ever to return, [[HeelFaceTurn it would be as Liu Kang's ally instead of his enemy]]. Come the release of the 'Keepers of Time' trailer, which revealed that Geras would be returning as part of the game's base roster, this was confirmed to be the case. |
| 101 | ** Sub Zero aka Bi-Han [[spoiler:receiving AdaptationalVillainy and undergoing a FaceHeelTurn]] was a twist pretty much everyone saw coming given the character's hostile interactions with heroic characters such as Liu Kang and Kitana in his pre-fight intros included in the game's Stress Test and Beta Test. |
| 102 | ** [[spoiler:Kronika actually being the Shang Tsung from the bad ending of ''Aftermath'' in disguise also was predicted. Especially with the reveal of Invasion Mode all but confirming that there are multiple timelines]]. |
| 103 | * ImprovedSecondAttempt: Geras was among the better-received newcomers in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'', but he was still frequently seen as [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter severely underutilized]], with a bog-standard brawler/grappler gameplay style that didn't take advantage of his [[TimeMaster time]] and [[SandBlaster sand]] powers, and [[FlatCharacter his characterization not being much more than "a jobber who's loyal to Kronika"]]. His appearance here, meanwhile, has been widely considered an improvement as NRS put more effort in capitalizing on Geras' theme, with his much more advanced kit earning praise for its creativity and DifficultButAwesome potential, and plot-wise -- while he's still not a major player ([[TheUnfought and he isn't even fought in the story mode]]) -- Geras still earned more fans as a noble and loyal NumberTwo to Liu Kang in fostering the New Era. |
| 104 | * JerksAreWorseThanVillains: [[spoiler:If Bi-Han had just betrayed the heroes and called it a day to cement himself as a villain, most likely people wouldn't have too many problems with his AdaptationalVillainy (something that also happens to both Havik/Dairou and Nitara). However, before his betrayal and when he was on the heroes' side, he's already acting as a complete {{Jerkass}}, committing many unpleasant (and sometimes relatable) actions such as his diss towards the obviously good Tomas. All of those makes him look more unfavorable compared to other villains like General Shao, Reiko, Nitara, Havik and even Shang Tsung himself.]] |
| 105 | * LesYay: Besides her [[OfficialCouple relationship]] with Mileena, Tanya drops some...interesting hints to Scorpion about [[spoiler:how she knows about his bride, Harumi.]] |
| 106 | -->'''Scorpion:''' [[spoiler:You still haven't told me how you know Harumi.]]\ |
| 107 | '''Tanya:''' [[spoiler:Only she can tell you.]] |
| 108 | * LikeYouWouldReallyDoIt: Hands up if you believed - even for a second - that the canon ending for [=MK11's=] ''Aftermath'' expansion ''[[NotQuiteDead really]]'' [[NotQuiteDead killed Shang Tsung off for good]]. [[spoiler: As it turns out, technically it simultaneously did [[TheMultiverse and didn't.]]]] |
| 109 | * LoveToHate: Shang Tsung is a CardCarryingVillain who is HatedByAll, but he seems to revel living a life of treachery and manipulation. Shang also maintains his [[FauxAffablyEvil false charm and quick wit]], whilst also being slightly more vulnerable than last time, as he doesn't always have a quip or lie prepared for everything and can sometimes be self-pitying. |
| 110 | [[/folder]] |
| 111 | |
| 112 | [[folder:M-Z]] |
| 113 | * MemeticLoser: |
| 114 | ** Reiko's got this reputation before the game even released. The fact he's one of the only characters in the game to only be shown off in the launch trailer was bad enough, but the fact his {{Early Bird Cameo}}s prior in both a Comic Con clip and in the background of Raiden's section of the "Rulers of Outworld" trailer are him either right before or right after losing a fight made it worse. In the story proper, he loses his every fight, though he doesn’t lose as much as General Shao[[note]]if you don’t count Kameo losses[[/note]] or Tanya[[note]]if you do count Kameo losses[[/note]]. [[spoiler: His Dark universe counterpart fairs even worse, showing up purely as a Kameo for Dark Shao and getting randomly stabbed to death by Shang Tsung more or less [[ForTheEvulz for kicks]] instead of having his soul taken like Dark Shao.]] |
| 115 | ** This also extends to Nitara, who exists as a {{Jobber}} to show up, spout some wooden dialogue, get beaten up and then fleeing. She may get it worse than Reiko in this regard as Reiko at least has some relevance to the story by being General Shao's second-in-command. Nitara just sort of goes along with the others for the sake of her people, which never gets focus. |
| 116 | ** Reptile has become this game's designated "[[ChewToy Fatality dummy]]" for showcases on [=YouTube=]. His green blood makes him the only kombatant in the game as of release that doesn't trigger the site's automated censors (which risks videos getting demonetized), so you get to watch the poor guy get brutalized again and again. The only saving grace is his popularity due to his AdaptationalAttractiveness and AdaptationalHeroism, causing fans to jokingly take pity on Reptile taking the brunt of each brutal finisher, unlike to the previous Fatality Dummy in the series, [[HateSink D'Vorah]], who everyone outright cheered for her suffering. |
| 117 | ** Shao also gets this, albeit as a lesser example than the others above, mostly by virtue of his lessened power compared to the last timeline. In particular, it's common to mock him for going from a HeroKiller BigBad to being beaten by former {{Jobber}} Reptile during the latter's chapter. The fact that, as mentioned above, he has ''the'' most story mode losses if one disregards Kameos doesn't help |
| 118 | %% Do not add Kotal's offscreen loss to Raiden as an example of MemeticLoser, it has already been removed twice and has been deemed by Ask the Tropers to be a misuse as not only is Kotal himself not present in the game, only mentioned, but he was also not the only character Raiden defeated offscreen (Raiden was also stated to have defeated Motaro, Sheeva and many others) and the fanbase itself has not singled out Kotal's loss specifically. |
| 119 | * MemeticMolester: Geras has become one, thanks to his infamous “[[https://www.reddit.com/r/MortalKombat/s/UTSNLJwLjH BBC Combo]]” attack, which involves freezing the opponent in a compromising position before performing a string of attacks that bear a strong resemblance to a PelvicThrust, making it look like Geras is having sex with the opponent. |
| 120 | * MemeticMutation: [[Memes/MortalKombat Shares a page with the rest of the franchise]]. |
| 121 | * MoralEventHorizon: |
| 122 | ** [[spoiler: Rain's flooding of the Seido capital serves as this both for him and Havik. The former is [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone horrified at what he had done]] and becomes determined to atone for his crime- only to be rebuffed and considered irredeemable by most characters. As for the latter, Havik gleefully celebrates the destruction and, as a result, is dismissed as nothing but a power-hungry madman by several opponents, [[VillainRespect with General Shao being the only one to compliment him for and approve of the act]].]] |
| 123 | ** [[spoiler: Bi-Han being an ambitious jerk since the beginning is something that the heroes can still tolerate, which even includes his AdoptionDiss on Tomas. It's only after he decides to initiate a power grab for his own ambition offered by Shang Tsung by betraying Earthrealm and revealing to his family that he let his father die to become the Grandmaster that practically everyone amongst the Earthrealm defenders is at best 'severely disappointed' (Liu Kang and Ashrah) or 'seriously wants his head' at worst (Kuai Liang and Mileena), while [[EvenEvilHasStandards even other villains look at him with disgust for his betrayal of both sides]]. It's the turning point for Bi-Han where it becomes clear that his AdaptationalVillainy is for real and it's also something Bi-Han is aware of and gladly accepted: He knows that everyone will treat him as a vile traitor, but he shows no regrets or doubts in his new role and path he walks on.]] |
| 124 | * {{Narm}}: |
| 125 | ** Here and there, as to be expected with how cheesy the franchise can get. One example is [[spoiler:after Titan Shang Tsung has taken over the Dragon Army of the New Era and Sindel just got KilledOffForReal, everyone opts to make their dramatic escape-- in a single silly conga line, jogging after one another in between the Dragon Army statues on their way out.]] |
| 126 | ** In chapter 14, [[spoiler:Titan Shang Tsung attempts to shatter Liu Kang's hourglass and destroy the heroes timeline, by... standing around and shooting beams at it. How does Liu Kang and his allies respond? By getting into long drawn out fights with Shang Tsung's minions and shooting ''"healing beams"'' at the hourglass, instead of [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim just decking Shang Tsung.]] Shang Tsung eventually gets tired of shooting his beams and just leaves with his minions like a Saturday morning cartoon villain.]] People have derisively called the entire chapter a wizard-off or wizard-battle just for how goofy the entire sequence ends up being. |
| 127 | ** [[spoiler:When the multiversal Battle of Armageddon begins, Shang Tsung's army of Titans descend down the Pyramid of Argus to clash with Liu Kang's Titans. However, the epicness is deflated when you see everyone bunched together and awkwardly run up or down the stairs as if they're too afraid of tripping and falling.]] |
| 128 | ** [[https://youtu.be/RyFMmcrRkc8?si=ygfyD2WrtLO-jPmh&t=41 One]] of Reptile's Fatality death screams sounds almost comical, as if he's caught in a {{Slapstick}} BananaPeel fall. It's also oddly reminiscent of the ''VideoGame/LegoStarWars'' [[https://youtu.be/hFXBbyJ7R88?si=FwqSBEzOSsiheQ-B Rebel scream]]. |
| 129 | ** Bi-Han's voice arguably sounds like he's trying too hard to sound cool, but this can also be interpreted as NarmCharm. Then there's Megan Fox's Nitara who doesn't sound like she's trying at all. |
| 130 | * NarmCharm: Natch, given the franchise, but the concept of the fourth act of the story goes even further by [[spoiler: escalating the conflict to a multiversal war level between the New Era and Titan Shang Tsung's Dark timeline, which escalates even further when they start bringing an AllianceOfAlternates which look like fan fusions]]. Even though it is ridiculous, the whole fourth act comes across as something hard not to smile at, and in fact brought in a renewed desire to see the return of the Kreate-a-Fighter mode from ''Armageddon''. |
| 131 | * NauseaFuel: [[NauseaFuel/MortalKombat Shares a page with the rest of the franchise]]. |
| 132 | * ObviousJudas: [[spoiler:Bi-Han generally acting unpleasant and aggressive when he was serving Liu Kang is a complete giveaway that [[AdaptationalVillainy he's going to be evil this time around]], something that fans saw coming right when there were only the trailers.]] |
| 133 | * OlderThanTheyThink: |
| 134 | ** Depicting Tarkatans as victims of a mutagenic disease is actually taken from ''Deception'', where it was spelled out that Tarkata (as they were called in that game) are mutant hybrids of demon and mortals. It was the ''2011'' game and its sequels that established them as an actual race of beings. |
| 135 | ** This isn't the first game where Tanya is seen without her ProphetEyes; she didn't have such in her very first appearance in ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat4 MK4]]''. |
| 136 | ** Reptile has always been portrayed as being a reptilian creature who can assume a human form, but his human face was always behind a mask. It wasn't until this game that we finally see what Human Reptile looks like. |
| 137 | ** ''Film/MortalKombat2021'' had beaten this game to the idea of [[spoiler: Bi-Han being a [[AdaptationalVillainy full on villain rather than an anti-hero.]]]] |
| 138 | ** [[spoiler:While he's new to the role of Raiden in the main series of games, Creator/TravisWillingham isn't new overall to the role as Raiden's Thunder God incarnation, as he'd already been TheOtherDarrin to Creator/RichardEpcar in the mobile game ''VideoGame/MortalKombatOnslaught''.]] |
| 139 | * OneSceneWonder: The [[spoiler: BigBadassBattleSequence between Liu Kang and Shang Tsung's respective [[AllianceOfAlternates Alliances of Alternates]] is packed full of bizarre alternate characters, ranging from {{Evil Counterpart}}s to {{Distaff Counterpart}}s to characters that are amalgamations of other characters -- all of which get at most a single scene or a short brawl with the player before being unceremoniously disposed of. Some standouts include "Sento Storm" (Kenshi and Rain), "Klockodile" (Geras and Reptile), [[MythologyGag Ninja Mime]], "John Kahner" (Johnny Cage and Shao Kahn), "Scorp Lao" and "Stung Lao" (Kung Lao and Scorpion), Shock Priestess (Raiden and Tanya), some good counterparts of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, the dark versions of the Kombat Kids who Titan Kitana unceremoniously kills, and an unnamed merger of Goro and Shao Kahn quadruple-wielding warhammers]]. |
| 140 | * {{Padding}}: The first half of Johnny Cage's chapter has him on the set of a movie that's an [[RaidersOfTheLostParody Indiana Jones knock-off]], where Johnny fights some demons and an undead king before the shoot wraps up. The film isn't even an ExcusePlot, its given the same treatment as an actual story sequence, in that several minutes of cutscenes sandwich the fights and treat the film as though it were real right up until they stop shooting. Nothing about the film Cage is shooting has any relevance to the actual plot, which only progresses when he goes home, making the film merely an excuse to increase the length of his chapter. |
| 141 | * PortingDisaster: The UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch port looks absolutely ''atrocious,'' with graphics comparable to the [=PlayStation=] Vita port of ''9.'' The Switch port has constant frame stutters and ugly textures, and characters utterly fail to make any facial expressions beyond DullSurprise. The game also has load times of [[LoadsAndLoadsOfLoading up to 40 seconds]] in a 1v1 match. The fact that the Switch port was greenlit while [=PS4=] and Xbox One sticklers were left in the dust has left many players baffled. |
| 142 | * QuestionableCasting: Megan Fox as Nitara. Not unlike when Ronda Rousey was cast as Sonya Blade in ''Mortal Kombat 11'', fans have mostly seen her as a famous actor WB can boast about being on the project over someone who actually fits the character. Fox's acting as Nitara is rather wooden and stiff, which stands out poorly in a game where everyone else is a LargeHam with extra seasoning. Creator/CristinaValenzuela, an experienced voice actress, performs Nitara's battle grunts and death screams, and many thought the developers should have had her voice the character altogether rather than relying on StuntCasting with Fox. |
| 143 | %%PortingDisaster requires a six-month waiting period |
| 144 | * SalvagedGameplayMechanic: [[DesperationAttack Fatal Blows]] were a hotly contentious mechanic introduced in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'', but have been generally seen as improved here due to the inclusion of [[SuperMovePortraitAttack a dramatic close-up animation right as the player activates it]]. This is a meaningful mechanical change as by far the biggest complaint of Fatal Blows in the previous game is that they were too fast for what was supposed to be a high-risk, high-reward ComebackMechanic, making it too easy for players to cheese into fights while being near-impossible to react against defensively. By giving the opponent a big cinematic heads-up, there's an easier chance for them to properly defend themselves (also helped by the game restoring a traditional ComboBreaker after ''11'' briefly replaced it with [[ScrappyMechanic the less-intuitive Breakaway]]), while encouraging aggressors to properly tie the Fatal Blow in with a combo, overall making it far less cheap and more like a deserved second wind. |
| 145 | * ScrappyMechanic: |
| 146 | ** In ''9'' through ''11'' as long as you knew the input of a character's second fatality it would permanently unlock in their move list even if you didn't discover it in game. That isn't the case here. Due to the character mastery system a character's second fatality won't unlock in a character's move list until that character reaches level 14, even if you perform it before that. It's a bit worse with the guest characters, as they have to reach level 19 to get theirs. |
| 147 | ** Though on its own the Dragon Shrine isn't a bad idea, it's how it's executed that's gotten criticism. Unlike similar unlock systems in other games (such as Fortune Telling in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV'') you're locked to only spending a set amount of koins for only one reward, which keeps players from increasing their chances of getting more desired rewards like skins and gear. Not only that, but each time you use it you're forced to see the same unskippable animation of the dragon slowly melting down the koins to see what you got. Oh, and there's also a limit to the number of items you can unlock season by season, meaning you can't even use it to unlock skins and gear already in the game after a while. |
| 148 | ** Unlike the previous game, there's no previews for gear or skins you haven't unlocked yet. Not only does this mean its difficult to locate where desired cosmetics can actually be acquired without a guide, but it also means it's hard to tell which cosmetics are even ''obtainable'' in-game in the first place. [[spoiler: Something made especially painful by the showcase of the various AlternateUniverse skins in the final chapters of the Story Mode, several of which don't seem to actually be available in-game on launch.]] |
| 149 | ** Like Frost in the previous game, Havik can be purchased. But ''like'' Frost, Havik can be unlocked by simply completing the main story. And '''like''' with Frost, players consider it a scam. This is also the general feeling towards Shang Tsung, who's fully playable in story mode with a dedicated chapter and ''has to be purchased'' via a preorder or the in game store and can't be simply unlocked. |
| 150 | *** Returning to Havik, there's the possibility that there might be an error into unlocking him, as the player might not receive the rewards from the story mode unless connected to the already faulty servers and can't claim them later '''at all'''. Should that happen, purchasing Havik might be the only way to play as him so it comes off as even more unfair to those unlucky players. Luckily, this error has been fixed but it's unfair nonethless. |
| 151 | * ShipToShipCombat: A very vocal minority of fans who ship Mileena with Kenshi (Kenleena) do not get along with people who ship her with Tanya (Taleena). The former states that despite [[spoiler: Mileena being the one responsible for Kenshi's blindness this time around, the former had no control over her actions during that time, and the two have forgiven and gained respect for each other after the story mode.]] Meanwhile, the latter will cite the sexual and romantic tension the two have had over the course of the series, stating that is far more believable for Mileena to be with a woman she has clearly been in love with for two games straight instead of [[spoiler: the man she blinded.]] Expect the former to accuse the latter's ship of being bland and only letting it slide for the LesYay, while the latter will accuse the former of being homophobic and going against the first and only explicitly confirmed LGBT relationship in the franchise. |
| 152 | * SpoiledByTheFormat: While the game's Story mode treats [[spoiler:the existence of TheMultiverse]] as a shocking third act twist, anyone who played (or even paid attention to the marketing surrounding) the new Invasion mode would likely view it as a CaptainObviousReveal at best, given that the latter's entire premise revolves around [[spoiler:defending Earthrealm from attacks by alternate timelines]]. |
| 153 | * {{Squick}}: |
| 154 | ** Kitana's "Kiss Me" Fatality has her give her opponents a (obscured) kiss on the lips. The animation remains the same even if she's performing the Fatality on [[ParentalIncest Sindel]], [[{{Twincest}} Mileena]], [[FacialHorror Havik, or Baraka]]. |
| 155 | ** ''The Thanksgiving fatality''. After having [[{{Jawbreaker}} their jaw torn open]] by a table slam, your character proceeds to [[ForceFeeding smash various food items into your opponent's throat]] (including an entire holiday bird). Once on the floor upon the turkey slam, your character then proceeds to jump on their engorged stomach, with the resulting VomitIndiscretionShot being severe enough to ''blast their brain and eyes out of their skull''. |
| 156 | * TakeThatScrappy: |
| 157 | ** The depiction of Sindel from ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'' is one of the most hated characters in the entire series for retconning the character to have been EvilAllAlong. In this game, [[spoiler: a version of that evil Sindel is battled, and then swiftly killed by Mileena while being yelled at for being nothing like the mother that she loved]]. Additionally, several pre-fight intros take the chance to acknowledge that this was not a well-received thing. |
| 158 | ---> '''Mileena''': I can't imagine my mother ever having been evil.\ |
| 159 | '''Geras''': It was not a look she wore well. |
| 160 | |
| 161 | ---> '''Sindel''': My past iteration sounds like a screeching harpy.\ |
| 162 | '''Liu Kang''': [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap Many are thankful]] for [[CharacterRerailment the changes I made]]. |
| 163 | |
| 164 | ---> '''Kenshi''': I'm told your evil twin was something else.\ |
| 165 | '''Sindel''': Urgh. [[IHatePastMe The thought of her repulses me.]] |
| 166 | ** In an easy to miss example, at one point in the story [[spoiler:when Johnny, Lao, Kenshi and Baraka infiltrate Shang Tsung's laboratory]], Shang Tsung talks about one of the Tarkat-curing serum's ingredients being "crushed Kytinn larvae". Additionally, in certain pre-fight intros, the Kytinn race is mentioned to have been majorly crushed by General Shao. Given the absence of D'Vorah in the roster, it's hard not to feel some catharsis for it in both instances. |
| 167 | ** The story also makes a point to emphasize that [[spoiler: Kronika is DeaderThanDead, with her appearance in the new timeline simply being a disguise for Titan Shang Tsung]], which will certainly be good news to anyone who found the former to be a poorly written villain. |
| 168 | %% Do not add a TakeThatScrappy entry regarding the scene where Titan Kitana kills the evil versions of the Kombat Kids. It has already been removed three times, none of the Kombat Kids are Scrappies (they are base-breaking characters at worst) and Takeda was on the franchise's EnsembleDarkHorse page before it got cut (meaning that he's the exact opposite of a Scrappy). |
| 169 | * ThatOneLevel: Survival levels in Invasions are effectively either this or a BreatherLevel with more or less no in-between. For the easy ones, you can get hit by every single projectile and survive with no issue. But for the hard ones, it can be an absolute nightmare that requires borderline frame perfect jumps and movement options as getting hit by a single projectile can a massive chunk of your health, and you'll usually get hit by at least two or three at once. And God help you with the more unique patterns that can actually inflict ''knockback'' on hit, as you have no invincibility frames and can easily get trapped in a CycleOfHurting that takes almost your entire health bar on the spot. That's not even getting into ''bosses'' that have Survival segments in-between phases, which can decimate your health before forcing you to fight the now even further empowered boss with no heal in-between... |
| 170 | * TheyChangedItNowItSucks: |
| 171 | ** While fans approve that the pre-fight intros are much quicker and snappier than in ''X'' and ''11'', what hasn't made fans happy is them being relegated to only being before Versus mode matches. Meaning you won't see them in any other gameplay mode. [[AuthorsSavingThrow That is until the Quan Chi update]], which adds pre-fight intro dialogue to other modes outside of Versus. |
| 172 | ** [[spoiler:Sub-Zero's AdaptationalVillainy has upset many fans of the character, who believe Bi-Han has gotten the short end of the stick in terms of characterization compared to the more anti-heroic character he was in ''VideoGame/MortalKombatMythologiesSubZero''.]] |
| 173 | ** For some, the decision to treat Scorpion and Sub-Zero as merely a mantle that can be passed down to anyone is a controversial change. If one already associates Scorpion with Hanzo Hasashi, then they are out of luck, because Scorpion is now Kuai Liang and thus no longer have the 'angry, vengeful revenant from hell with skull head' aura that Hanzo had, as well as how he's a straight up hero from the start (rather than being an AntiHero who had [[CharacterDevelopment to develop to a proper hero]], like his role in the first reboot timeline). Giving him a skin that implies that it's Hanzo still has him use Kuai Liang's voice set rather than new voicelines by Hanzo's old [=VAs=] so skin is out of question too. [[spoiler:And tying with the above, if one already associates Sub-Zero with the heroic, virtuous Kuai Liang, then they are out of luck as well, because they have to contend with [[AdaptationalVillainy an even eviler Bi-Han]] holding the mantle, so they now have to associate the mantle of Sub-Zero with an evil villain.]] It becomes a question on which one does the player like more: The mantle, or the person behind the mantle, and not a lot like that kind of change. |
| 174 | ** ''MK 11'' had two options for getting alternative costumes, you can either buy a pack outright as DLC or buy some through the Premium Store. ''MK 1'' only allows you to get certain costumes in the store (such as the ''DA'' versions of Sub-Zero and Scorpion) with no plans for DLC packs seemingly made for the future. And if you miss a desired costume, you have to wait for the rotation to bring it back, however long that is. Needless to say, a lot of fans aren't happy with this, convinced that the publisher forced this change for greedy purposes. |
| 175 | * TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: Several arcade endings of ''11'' mentioned that Kronika was just one of several Titans, beings even stronger and older than the Elder Gods. This game doesn't explore that in any way, [[spoiler:and the only Titans to appear are just uplifted variants of the known roster]]. |
| 176 | * UnexpectedCharacter: |
| 177 | ** To the surprise of many, quite a lot of the 3D-era kombatants have made a return either as a part of the main roster or as Kameos, many of them having not been available since ''Armageddon''. |
| 178 | *** Li Mei is a character from the 3D era many didn't expect to see back, given that her last appearance was a small cameo in ''MKX'''s story. |
| 179 | *** Even fewer people expected [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception Darrius]] and later [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance Mavado]] to be included as a Kameo Fighters, especially since they weren't especially popular characters, with the former being completely absent from the second timeline and the latter only existing briefly in the ''Mortal Kombat X'' comic [[WeHardlyKnewYe before getting killed off]]. Mavado's presence turned heads as he was widely considered a ReplacementScrappy for taking Kabal's trademark hook swords, and yet despite Kabal's absence from the playable roster this time, they're nowhere to be found for Mavado's Kameo appearance. |
| 180 | *** Havik, Reiko, Ashrah and Nitara are all among the playable roster characters. Nitara especially bears mentioning as she was revealed to be played by none other than Creator/MeganFox. Ashrah in particular literally vanished after ''Armageddon'', with only minor, and easily missable, mentions in ''11'', so even fewer expected her to return. |
| 181 | *** Sareena's appearance as a Kameo Fighter caught some people by surprise, especially since her demon form factors into her moveset. |
| 182 | ** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT-3vhCl6N4 The Kombat Pack trailer]] shows not just Quan Chi, Ermac and Takeda returning, but for the {{Guest Fighter}}s, we're getting [[WesternAnimation/Invincible2021 Omni-Man]], [[Film/TheSuicideSquad Peace]][[Series/Peacemaker2022 maker]] and [[Series/TheBoys2019 Homelander]], all in one pack. |
| 183 | ** Even more people who watched the Umgadi trailer were taken aback by a surprise [[{{Pun}} kameo]] appearance from Khameleon, who not only hadn't been seen in the series since ''Armageddon'', but it's the first time she appears outside of a Nintendo console (she was exclusive to the Platform/Nintendo64's version of ''Trilogy'', and to the [[Platform/{{Wii}} Nintendo Wii]]i's version of ''Armageddon''). While her outfit was only shown in yellow, those who analyzed said footage noticed her attire was one-to-one with her Armageddon design. Topping this off, she would later make an appearance as a DLC Kameo character. |
| 184 | ** Not a lot of people were expecting Geras to return considering how he was portrayed as a near-mindless minion of Kronika in ''11''. Here, he has not only taken Kronika's place as the Guardian of the Hourglass but has also become good friends with Liu Kang. |
| 185 | ** The Rulers of Outworld trailer also revealed that Motaro and Shujinko will appear as Kameo Fighters. Motaro is especially a surprise given that he now has four legs again for the first time since ''Armageddon''. |
| 186 | ** Havik returns as a playable character, whilst having a relatively minor role in the story. Intro dialogues reveal [[spoiler:that this Havik is not the same one from previous timelines, it is in fact Dairou who has [[LegacyCharacter taken up the mantle]]. This makes sense given the stories of both Dairou and the original Havik aligned together as enemies of Seido, the realm of order, with Dairou's story starting the same way it did in past timelines before gaining traits that made him more like the original Havik.]] |
| 187 | ** The story mode reveals that Rain is in fact not Rain's given name, but doesn't reveal said given name. Intro dialogues reveal his true name is [[spoiler: Zeffeero, a name previously used for a minor character in Mortal Kombat Deception's Konquest mode. Unlike this timeline's version of Havik, who is actually Dairou, Rain's new character uses nothing from the original Zeffeero beyond the name.]] |
| 188 | ** Despite having seemingly been KilledOffForReal in the last game, Kronika, much like Shang Tsung, appears BackFromTheDead in the beginning of story mode to guide Shang towards the path of becoming a villain. [[spoiler:Except it’s not really her; it's actually a guise used by Shang Tsung from ''11'', in a dramatic aversion of NoCanonForTheWicked]]. |
| 189 | ** In the story too, no one expected [[spoiler: Jerrod to effectively come BackFromTheDead by seizing control of Ermac's body and thus actually have a speaking role for the first time in the franchise. Additionally, Ermac being a DLC fighter will make Jerrod technically playable for the first time ever]]. |
| 190 | ** People might have expected the usual characters to be playable in the story mode, with relatively little changes, so a lot of people were surprised when Ashrah, Reptile, Li Mei, Mileena and ''Baraka'' got their own chapter in the story. |
| 191 | ** While Peacemaker is based off his DCEU counterpart, one of his fatalities features the Butterflies from his series infesting the opponent. This is noteworthy as they are an original creation of the show and seemed unlikely to make an appearance of any sort. [[spoiler: His ending also depicts Eclipso banishing him to the ''Mortal Kombat'' universe, Eclipso being a character that has made very sporadic appearances outside of the comics.]] |
| 192 | ** Homelander's reveal trailer shows Ferra returning from ''VideoGame/MortalKombatX''. Even more unexpectedly, she returns without Torr, and both were among the characters introduced in ''X'' that didn't reappear in ''11''. As such, few would expect Ferra to ever come back. |
| 193 | * UnintentionalUncannyValley: Ermac has gotten this impression by some, specifically [[spoiler: when Jerrod takes over, whose face has a lot more natural softer features which contrasts pretty large with Ermac's undead mummified design]]. |
| 194 | * UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: While the return of her portrayal as a heroic character was infinitely better received than how she was portrayed in the [[VideoGame/MortalKombat11 previous game]], '''Sindel''' has some moments in the story and in-game dialogue that unintentionally sours her heroic portrayal. [[spoiler: Her treatment of Mileena comes across as excessively stern and more than a bit unpleasant, especially since she blames her daughter for contracting Tarkat (despite the disease being something completely out of her control) and she has Kitana take Mileena's place in the tournament ''purely'' out of speculation that symptoms of her disease manifested at the banquet she hosted. This is in spite of how every case of Mileena transforming has been due to in-the-moment aggression or stress, not to mention how she remained in human form while fighting Ermac despite being thrown around several times, making it look like Sindel can't trust her ''10,000'' year old daughter to fight without succumbing to heat in the moment. Secondly, while it's true that Liu Kang technically broke his word by sending his champions into Outworld unannounced, Sindel immediately sides with General Shao and Shang Tsung's version of events despite knowing Liu Kang far longer and understanding his desire for peace. Thirdly, while it's perfectly understandable that she would blame Li Mei for Jerrod's death due to her leading the Umgadi at the time, Sindel ''continually'' making it clear to Li Mei that she has never forgiven her comes off as annoying and petty.]] |
| 195 | * UnpopularPopularCharacter: Quan Chi is virtually hated by everyone even the guest characters. But he is extremely popular while also falling into CreepyAwesome category for such good gameplay and for being such a KarmicButtMonkey. |
| 196 | * TheWoobie: [[Woobie/MortalKombat Shares a page with the rest of the franchise]]. |
| 197 | * WTHCostumingDepartment: |
| 198 | ** Upon the release of the trailer for the Kombat Pack, everyone was quick to notice and criticize Ermac's redesign with the lack of mask and bandages that he's typically known for, furthering the "mummified" design type for Ermac that's base breaking at best. The complaints were evident enough that once Ermac was properly introduced as a playable character, [[AuthorsSavingThrow he was given a new face-covering mask, keeping him in line with the other "ninjas" of the game]]. |
| 199 | ** Tanya's redesign has also received a fair share of criticism, mostly for her hair and harsh facial features, though that was due to a ill-timed snapshot of the character being angry and yelling. |
| 200 | ** Li Mei has also received some criticism for having almost identical clothing and hairstyle to Mileena, making them somewhat difficult to tell apart. Some also criticize her for having a rather bland, generic design, resembling more a background NPC rather than a playable character in the main roster. This has been negated a bit with her getting an alt costume based on her ''Deception'' design which has been more warmly received. |
| 201 | ** Reptile's natural Zaterran form was met with slight criticism due to its bulky proportions, with some comparing it to the Lizard from ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan''. |
| 202 | ** Sub-Zero has a [[https://www.mortalkombatonline.com/t/mk1/regional-mortal-kombat-1-sub-zero-tanya-skins-revealed/BwAaoFQ2w1P4 Day Of The Dead]] costume that has fans confused why it's not a skin for ''Kung Lao'' due to the sombrero he's wearing. |
| 203 | ** Scorpion's ''Deadly Alliance'' skin goes with the decision to use his alt from that game that gives him a burning skull head instead of his usual ninja mask which has been seen as baffling by plenty of players. It's also been criticized for not allowing for mask customization due to said head change. |
| 204 | ** The color schemes for the characters costumes from Invasion Season 4 was criticized for not having the same colors as Mileena's clothes. Not helping that it has speculated (with some evidence to support this) that the skins themselves were originally planned for an Invasion season featuring ''Havik''. |
| 205 | [[/folder]] |
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