Mortal Kombat- Flawless Victory.
With the recent release of Mortal Kombat 2011, there has definitely been a resurgence of old school competitiveness amongst gamers who are now in their 30s and 40s. When it was discovered that I had this game for Xbox 360 S, my cell phone was ringing off the hook.
So far, I have had 2 tournaments at my place where I am still the undefeated champion.
When I first initiated this game, it was very apparent to me that there was a tremendous amount of time and effort that went into this release of MK. While watching the game load, I was almost at a lost for words for the amount of detail that was poured into this edition. With the cinematic music and heart-stomping drum beat that grips the air, the user is immediately pulled into an atmosphere of survival of the fittest.
The user’s brain is filled with a barrage of sensory overloaded stimulation from not only the sound effects and cinematic climaxes, but also from the stunning visual display of character movement and special power effects being unleashed against your opponent.
The story line of the characters are gripping as well. Every character has a history and a plot within the game that makes their existence justified within the game. From it’s first release from October 1992, there has been an ever increasing fan base of virtual blood thirsty spectators and combatants who line the seating areas with anticipation of either seeing their character’s end story or being the champion themselves.
View this clip and look carefully at the amount of detail that was focused on into making this game a smash hit with an 85% approval rating from IGN.
Notice how the game trailer is mixed in with both the storyline and the actual game play. At the end of the game sample, the video makers introduce MK collectables that are interwoven into the gameplay to create a need for the consumer while preying on there senses and creating a desire for these pieces.
The advert ends with an MK URL displayed for the user to visit the site.
The website can be found here, and as you can see, there is a worldwide leaderboard in play with cash rewards and bragging rights. Mortal Kombat has really come a long way when you consider the digitized human characters that they used to use back in 92.
This is probably the closest thing that users will ever get to experience in terms of real online gaming entertainment and combat.
3 Responses to “Mortal Kombat- Flawless Victory.”
A UX Issue in Mortal Kombat,
I just want the record to state a glaring UX issue in the single player story mode.
Cut scenes can not be replayed or paused, if your phone rings durring one of them consider it missed unless replayed.
For such a well thought out title I was baffled when I missed 2 entire scenes to friends dropping by and phone calls.
Thanks for your feedback Ryan and yes, you are absolutely right regarding the scenarios you stated. While MK does have this experience issue, it’s not the only game that does. I spoke with Bryce Johnson and asked him to convey to the game makers about some things I don’t like about the game. One thing I mentioned was that I think the font is all wrong and it’s definitely too small to read in many cases; and yes I believe this takes away from the experience as I miss some online challengers, while trying to read stats or game messages that are just not readable. I believe if MK (and many other games out there) would improve these little things which are really not so “little” their rating of 85% approval rating might be a little higher.
I also don’t like the unmoderated rooms and deceptive cheats allowed online, but again, like many other games, this is something we’ll have to wait and see if they’ll change.