Mortal Kombat 11 Really is Better Than Mortal Kombat 1 in Almost Every Way

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When did you learn that Mortal Kombat 1 was scrapped? I happened to be at home at that time, yet my phone remained silent. It seems that after the disappointing reception of the Khaos Reigns expansion, NetherRealm Studios (or more accurately, Warner Bros. Games) reportedly decided against releasing a second story expansion. Additionally, there were rumors about the cancellation of Kombat Pack 3. By the time NetherRealm confirmed they had moved on from the project, Mortal Kombat 1 didn’t even come close to the planned “years” of support, lasting only two instead.

Regrettably, there are several aspects to this sentiment, but it’s particularly poignant when we reminisce about the year 2019, when a game titled Mortal Kombat 11 graced us. Oh, what an extraordinary era that was!

It might have been during The Game Awards 2018 when we first saw the trailer, where Dark Raiden overpowered Scorpion in a fierce fight. Suddenly, another challenger emerged and it turned out to be…Scorpion? This was followed by an impressive show of power and the phrase, “You’re next,” along with a sneak peek at the new main antagonist.

It’s worth noting that the scenario unfolding in this story surpasses anything we encountered in prior Mortal Kombats – even defeating Onaga or Shao Kahn pales in comparison. This time, the Earthrealm forces found themselves facing a colossal adversary, Kronika, who wielded control over time itself. In her quest for absolute power, she concluded that the moment had come to rewind the timeline and usher in a new epoch.

Characters found themselves in a tricky predicament. Dark Raiden’s schemes, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Kitana being Revenants, and other factors added to the complexity. Kronika made it even more confusing by bringing their past selves into the present. Johnny Cage had an intriguing challenge when he encountered his former self, demonstrating how much the character has evolved over time. The original Raiden managed to eliminate his dark counterpart from the timeline. The Lin Kuei, cyber-enhanced, was restarting operations. And, most excitingly, Shao Kahn returned as ruthless and powerful as ever.

From there on, the significant events just got more intense. For instance, Liu Kang and Raiden managed to resolve their conflicts and learn to coexist peacefully. Kitana conquered her inner struggles and fulfilled her destiny. Scorpion and Sub-Zero united forces to vanquish the Cyber Lin Kuei. The climactic fight was, of course, noteworthy. And let’s not forget that captivating launch trailer featuring a contemporary rendition of Techno Syndrome from the original Mortal Kombat game. Admittedly, some players might have found the final boss battle against Kronika less satisfying, and her character development may not have been perfect, but overall, it seemed like Mortal Kombat had brought together years of rich history in an incredibly epic way.

From a fan’s perspective, I found myself grappling with certain gameplay aspects, particularly the excessive grinding required in the Towers of Time and The Krypt. Players soon discovered they could use an AI-controlled Noob Saibot with top-tier moves to farm the Towers overnight, amassing enough currency. Thankfully, NetherRealm addressed this issue, reducing the grind and enhancing the challenges within the Towers to make them less aggravating. I’m glad they did because the Krypt was truly remarkable, offering an expansive, secret-filled, Easter egg-laden, and reference-rich environment for exploration. The Towers also delivered engaging single-player content, such as the Klassic Towers that emulated the Arcade Mode of older games and offered various endings based on who defeated Kronika.

Regarding the physical battles, there’s a bit of disagreement, generally tilting towards favorable views. The Fatal Blows functioned somewhat like X-Ray Moves, serving as a comeback mechanism, but Krushing Blows introduced an extra level of gruesome intensity to special moves. Notably, the overall pace slowed significantly compared to Mortal Kombat X and Breakaway, offering opportunities to break free from air combos and fortify your character as they fell. Opinions vary on this, some finding it frustrating or the most disappointing mechanic in the series so far.

As a seasoned gamer, I’ve found the game mechanics to be robust and enjoyable once you get the hang of things. The Kustom Variation feature is particularly noteworthy, as it lets me tailor move sets for characters according to my preference. What sets it apart from Injustice 2’s Gear system is that it’s independent from equipment, making it a more satisfying experience overall.

In summary, Mortal Kombat 1 is often praised for its superior combat and mechanics, with a well-executed blend of speed and combo possibilities. The Kameo Fighters, while introducing some unique aspects, didn’t create a massive impact. Additionally, players were required to learn multiple characters for fights, which was seen as an incongruous feature in a series primarily focused on one-on-one battles.

This new phase is somewhat like a fresh start, even though the ending was quite chaotic. Despite that, the narrative itself was appreciated, and it was intriguing to view the world and characters from a different perspective. However, following the end of Mortal Kombat 11, the level of insanity in the storyline was significantly reduced (and honestly, with the onset of multiverse antics, it barely mattered). The Krypt was also missing, and Invasions seemed unnecessary, offering challenges and enemies boasting super armor, despite presenting an interesting idea.

As a fan, I must admit that the most striking contrast between these games lies in their initial level of refinement. Frankly speaking, Mortal Kombat 1 seemed to be a bit rough around the edges at launch – the Player 1 advantage was quite a complicated issue – and the monetization strategy felt overbearing. This might be why it sold just over five million copies within about two years after its release.

The game “Mortal Kombat 11” sold more than 15 million copies, which was helped by its availability on multiple platforms for a longer time. However, the excitement and anticipation for the game were noticeable – fans had been waiting a long time for a new installment, and the idea of Liu Kang resetting the timeline added to the intrigue. The game had all the right ingredients for marketing and hype, but it’s concerning that by this point, its sales had dropped by about one-third compared to its predecessor.

After both Mortal Kombat 11 and its counterpart have ceased their post-release updates, it’s clear now how much superior Mortal Kombat 11 truly was. This observation also underscores the risks involved in creating a sequel within an extensive franchise like this one. Even if you incorporate stunning graphics, refined gameplay, renowned voice actors, and countless hours of content, mistakes can still occur. Such mishaps are not uncommon among various franchises, especially as budgets escalate and developers aim to cater to the broadest possible audience. However, only a few bear the weight of NetherRealm’s Mortal Kombat series.

This isn’t just a popular triple-A game that everyone desires to play; it’s also an esteemed fighting game franchise rich in backstory. Despite numerous reboots and resets, the Mortal Kombat series continues to captivate audiences in a way few other fighting games do. The advantage of being so well-known comes with the pressure to continually improve story elements. On one hand, Fighting Game Community (FGC) fans may have varying opinions about what makes for good gameplay and mechanics. On the other, they can agree on aspects that are truly poor. Balancing these differing perspectives is always tricky. Although I don’t believe Mortal Kombat 1 was a terrible game, it’s undeniably not as impressive as Mortal Kombat 11.

The revival of the Mortal Kombat series has been notable, largely due to the unveiling of the trailer and details for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 movie. This latest installment seems to be a significant upgrade compared to the 2021 film. In essence, this suggests that the enduring allure of Mortal Kombat lies in its ability to reinvent these characters while maintaining respect for their origins. It remains uncertain if the next game will fill this gap, but given the whispers about its development, we might not know for some time. Here’s hoping NetherRealm solves the puzzle and delivers a sequel that appeals to both newcomers and long-time fans alike.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

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2025-07-24 15:42