Mortal Kombat
2011
- fighting
- action
- fantasy
- horror
- single player
- multiplayer
The story
Mortal Kombat is a 2011 fighting game developed by NetherRealm Studios. It is the ninth main installment in the Mortal Kombat franchise and a soft reboot of the series. Although beginning during the events of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, the plot retroactively revisits the earliest period in the Mortal Kombat series: the events of the first three games. The storyline follows Raiden, the divine protector of Earth, as he attempts to change the outcome of the Armageddon events by contacting his past self.
What it’s like
Hard-edged and theatrical, with saturated reds and molten oranges against dark stone arenas, and a grimy, heavy-contrast look that reads like a stylised comic book brought to life. The camera hovers in tight 2.5D frames as fighters crash through walls and spray sparks, while the cinematic cutscenes lean into slow pans over ruined temples and blood-streaked snow. The soundtrack is a booming, percussive mix of brass stabs and ominous strings, punctuated by crunching impacts and the franchise's signature shouted finishers. The vibe is grim, pulpy and kinetic: a brutal, showy spectacle with a heightened, operatic edge. Violence is the core of the experience, with frequent blood spray, gore and graphic fatalities that are meant to shock and amuse rather than dwell on suffering. Fear is more about dread and stakes than sustained horror. It suits a loud weekend session with friends, or a solo late-night run through the story mode when you want adrenaline over calm. Best for players who want visceral combat, dark humour and a fast, punchy rhythm, and nothing gentle about it.
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