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Story mode (Chapter 1) impressions **Spoilers**

C-Sword

Noob
Lock if old

So let's get the big news out of the way: Johnny Cage is back! NetherRealm hasn't lost its touch with Story Mode. Like Mortal Kombat before it, Mortal Kombat X breaks its story into chapters, each following a specific character. It's absolutely the best storytelling in the genre, allowing you to play with most of the roster while delivering a cohesive narrative. We've come a long way from beating arcade modes with every fighter and trying to piece together the events.

During our preview, we only got our hands on chapter one starring Johnny Cage. It was a great chapter though, packed with character reveals -- we got to fight against Scorpion, zombie Jax, and Sub Zero, as well as Shinnok. Oh, and Fujin is back, tearing armies up with his bestie Raiden.

If I had to pick a gripe though, I was not a fan of all the choreographed fights in this chapter, some of which dragged on to the point of annoyance. I'm all for kicking back and watching Johnny Cage beat the stuffing out of Scorpion as a helicopter goes down, but there came a point where these scenes would drag on so long as to actively annoy me that the real fight hadn't started yet. The quick-time events didn't help much either, especially considering that success or failure in them had no bearing on the real fight, like they did in Injustice. Here's to hoping Johnny's chapter is the only one like this.


I was a big fan of the previous MK's Story Mode, so it was exciting to see them continue on with that. What surprised me most was that chapter one with Johnny Cage essentially served as the epilogue for what happened in the ending with Shinnok and Quan-Chi in MK9.

It only takes place about a year or so after that story, and by the chapter's end it seemed to have the MK9 storyline wrapped up for the most part, which will lead the way for MKX's central story (which is set over the course of 25 years). But I suppose this goes along with this game being a somewhat clean break from the mythos into something new.

With returning characters, a lot of the special moves either have the same input as MK9 or a similar logic. Down-back-something for a teleport, down-forward-something for a projectile, etc. What has changed the most though are projectiles and teleports, both of which feel much more punishable. Projectiles in generally all feel much slower than MK9, with lots of telegraphing to boot. Make the mistake of missing with your opponent nearby, and you're open for a big punish

I basically stuck with my favorites, Sub-Zero and Ermac. The variations system made them feel familiar, but still pretty fresh. I think this system will add a lot of nuance for the characters, as each style will completely change their modus operandi. Interestingly enough, the variations were locked during Story Mode, so it seems like they'll switch between the styles during the chapter's narrative for specific moments.

I also really dug the fact that it's taking cues from Injustice for the meta-leveling system. You got experience and koins for completing matches in Story Mode, which could be invested towards factions and other rewards. I appreciate that it's all connected together.

http://www.destructoid.com/mortal-kombat-x-brings-back-some-familiar-faces-for-story-mode-288771.phtml
 

TotteryManx

cr. HP Master
Very nice read. Thanks for sharing with us!

I wonder if zoning has been toned down due to cancelling dashes with block being removed? Dashing cost stamina now, which would force you to essentially slow walk in and block on reaction. That's something a lot of casual players would be annoyed with. I think it's for the best.
 

M.D.

Spammer. Crouch walk hater.
Projectiles are more punishable. Teleports are more punishable. That is, if you're not KUNG LAO who is BROKEN with insta teleports and spin and hats and everything.
 

Rickyraws

This mean you don't like me?
Great read, the thoughts mimic the praises sung by Destructoid and IGN so this is looking promising.
@General M2Dave The quips about zoning got me thinking; even though you didn't use characters like Cyborg or MMH, they exist in Injusice. Overall, which games zoning did you feel was more prominent; MK9 or Injustice?
 
Ok, so what was up with Sub Zero's costume in chapter 1? We have now seen two alternates for Sub Zero, bearded Zero and black Zero
 

Montanx

Thats why they call this thing bloodsport, kid.
Ok, so what was up with Sub Zero's costume in chapter 1? We have now seen two alternates for Sub Zero, bearded Zero and black Zero
I love how everyone freaked out and thought that was smoke or noob or movado when he popped up.
 

shig

kool guy
Ok, so what was up with Sub Zero's costume in chapter 1? We have now seen two alternates for Sub Zero, bearded Zero and black Zero
Sub-zero got rekt in MK9 and got mind controlled by Quan Chi in hell. That's why he looks so different and evil.
 

M2Dave

Zoning Master
@General M2Dave The quips about zoning got me thinking; even though you didn't use characters like Cyborg or MMH, they exist in Injusice. Overall, which games zoning did you feel was more prominent; MK9 or Injustice?
Defensive options are certainly superior in Injustice, but your question about zoning is difficult to answer. I guess you could analyze the zoning based on character similarities (i.e., Kabal and Martian Manhunter, Kenshi and Aquaman, Freddy and Zod, Noob and Cyborg, etc.), but this thread is neither the place nor the time for such a discussion. I say about the same.
 

Rickyraws

This mean you don't like me?
Defensive options are certainly superior in Injustice, but your question about zoning is difficult to answer. I guess you could analyze the zoning based on character similarities (i.e., Kabal and Martian Manhunter, Kenshi and Aquaman, Freddy and Zod, Noob and Cyborg, etc.), but this thread is neither the place nor the time for such a discussion. I say about the same.
I see. That's exactly why I was curious (the similarities between Kabal, hit box Cyborg + Zod, MMH etc.). Alas, this is a conversation for another time.