It was a really busy year in terms of fighting games, in which we witnessed the launch of Street Fighter 6, which received positive reactions and raised the standards of competition with the archenemy and eternal competitor, the Mortal Kombat series, which overlooks us this year with a new part that will be unveiled in mid-September, to be 2023 The luckiest year for fans of this category of games for sure. We had the opportunity to try the Mortal Kombat 1 beta on PS5 and played it for several days in order to be able to form a good impression and opinion about the highly anticipated fighting game from a wide section of the gaming community, and one of the most famous fighting games and among the bloodiest among them because it contains scenes of bone crushing, Fatalities and others.
The beta version is a small window of what we will see in the full version, and its experience gave us a glimpse of what awaits us in the full game, so without dwelling on the introductions, here is an impression and a closer look at the beta version of the expected fighting game that comes to us from NetherRealm studio and publisher Warner Bros Interactive:
Limited game modes in the Mortal Kombat 1 Beta
The beta version was not kind to the players, as there is only the offline phase or the combat tower, which is a tower consisting of a group of roles, each role has a character that you have to confront and defeat in order to rise to the end of the tower and eliminate all your opponents in succession, and choose from six different characters They are: Sub Zero – Liu Kang – Kitana – Johnny Cage – Li Mei – Kenshi, along with four fighters from the new Kameo feature, which we will talk about in more detail in the next paragraph: Sonya – Jax – Frost – Kano.
We also have the online mode, which impressed me a lot and impressed me with performance that exceeded expectations. There is no problem at all with the game servers, and we did not notice any differences between it and the offline phase, whether as technical problems or so on. We have the same roster of characters as well and you can choose one of them along with an assistant Kameo fighter.
The question remains whether the servers will remain this stable when the game is officially released, and will it bear the presence of millions of players at the same time or will it suffer from problems? But NetherRealm’s success in delivering a smooth gameplay experience in the game’s most important phase is an indication that the same rich experience will continue in the full version.
Kameo fighters. the new feature that will turn things upside down
There is a stereotype about fighting games that they are somewhat monotonous and boring and lack creative and constructive ideas that impress players, but we think that they should not be exaggerated or given larger than their usual size because in the end they are fighting games that are nothing more and should not include vast open worlds full of details and narration.
A new feature coming to Mortal Kombat 1 was revealed, which are Kameo’s auxiliary fighters, which we did not pay due attention to when officially announcing the game and watching the trailer, and we did not think that it would add the required touch of renewal to the game, but our experience of it in the beta version completely changed the scene for us, we think it will be a distinctive feature of this particular game compared to other competing games such as Street Fighter 6.
Kameo Fighters are auxiliary characters that you can use during combat battles in front of opponents. They are not sub-characters or NPCs, but rather their role is very decisive and influential in the course of the match greatly, as it adds a new stage to the strategies of the gameplay mechanisms by determining when and how these characters will be used and benefit than help her in the match.
You get to pick the fighter you want on your side before every match, and trust us; These characters aren’t just for show. Kameo Fighters bring a whole new beat to the gameplay. A quick slam with the R1 button allows you to jump your chosen assistant character, and land combinations of moves and punches on your opponent that you never thought possible.
For example, Jax’s Ground Pound isn’t just a regular punch – it can knock out anyone on the battlefield, including you if you’re not careful. Enlisting the help of these fighters is key to success in Mortal Kombat 1’s competitive scene, and a feature that will add much-needed regeneration blood to the game.
Exciting gameplay with stunning cinematic scenes
We see that the gameplay in Mortal Kombat 1 is not much different from the previous part, but the fighting pace has become a little slower and the focus is on long “Combo” strikes less, and the running feature has been removed with the “Dash” feature remaining, which are changes that we see as positive and make it more suitable for most Players while maintaining the depth of combat.
The changes also include making cinematic strikes, which have been renamed from X-Ray to Fatal Blow, usable only once during a match when your blood drops to 30% instead of relying on a meter, and replacing your Fitness counters with Attack and Defense counters that you use when interacting with a phase or evasion and other hits.
Now, you don’t have to worry at all if you are not a professional fighter or expert in fighting games. Where Mortal Kombat 1 is completely based on “reachability” and the ability to perform the required moves at the correct time, dodge the opponent’s blows, and then deal the killing blow to him, with the help of Kameo fighters at the perfect timing.
Unlike in the past where you had to memorize combos, Mortal Kombat 1 focuses on polishing the gameplay experience by keeping combat strike sequences together. You can certainly enjoy the game in the offline mode, but trust us, trying out and showing off your skills against someone else in the online mode takes things to a whole higher level and gives you the experience you need.
The gameplay is generally fun and has a cinematic, bloody feel, whether with regard to Fatality and Brutality movements after winning or Fatal Blow and Krushing Blow movements and their violence. The graphics are excellent and closer to realism compared to most other fighting games, although not necessarily a shift compared to the previous part, whether backgrounds and their details or characters and details Their clothes and faces, especially the facial expressions in the cutscenes, and as a fighting game the action is remarkably fluid.
Will Mortal Kombat 1 bring an element of innovation absent from fighting games?
With the release date approaching, NetherRealm Studios is showing its dedication to delivering an epic fighting game experience. With an impressive roster of 24 fighters at launch and more DLC characters in the pipeline, Mortal Kombat 1 promises an attractive and diverse roster that will keep you hooked long after its official release. The studio’s commitment to new characters and updates means that Mortal Kombat 1 will evolve and maintain its fan base for years to come.
The beta was a sneak peek at what new features are on the way for longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike. Kameo fighters, focus on combo moves, and great cutscenes are all indications that we’re in for an exciting experience when we get our hands on the full version in less than a month.
