Coming out of Cryo-storage to post my thoughts.
1. I completely skipped this MK. I found the entire Kameo system and emphasis on air combos unappealing. The price also seemed daunting on release for the full package. I planned to reserve judgement, see if it looked cool in real play, and wait for a time when it made sense to join (like a MK XL situation). Obviously this never came.
2. I know a few guys who are fighting game casuals but LOVE MK. They are absolutely the CoD/Madden stereotypes who show up for every new MK, play single player or with their buds on the couch, and never go online. God bless em for it.
They all hated this one. They all bought it, bitched about the kameo system, bitched about the story, bitched about the multiverse stuff, and were completely unswayed by the guest characters. None of them bought any additional DLC and they all seemed a little sore about it.
I think the things to learn from this is they just strayed too far from what people like about MK. People like the on-going story and don't want a reset (or if they do, they want something that flatters the original). They might like assist moves in the bonus modes, but the absolutely do not want them in the full "real" game, or at least not with the characters physically jumping in all the time (particularly the guys I know did not like them being part of fatal blows and throws and such, considered it interfering)
I think they need to re-examine their guest character selection. Guest characters are a HUGE appeal for the casual audience, but they missed the mark here. I don't know if these were characters NRS wanted, or if they were pushed by the publisher to make certain selections, but they completely wiffed with Peacemaker and the other capes. OTOH, EVERYONE says Ghostface looks cool. Maybe go back hard on the horror movie characters?
3. I think MK can OBVIOUSLY recover from this. Anyone saying this is a franchise killer needs to go play some MK4. This release was a black eye, nobody is happy, but c'mon. This is MORTAL KOMBAT baby, you can't keep it down.
I'm not sure where the next game should go storywise (ignore this game, full reboot of core story? MK9 2.0?) but I can think of some huge points to hit
- Single player mode on a similar scope to what SF6 has done. I think making the Krypt a much more elaborate story driven experience that presents the player with educational challenges, gimmick fights, and boss encounters while unlocking new areas and interactions would be a natural fit. Why? The casual SPer is a major market and I think at least some of them are getting tired of what NRS is offering. The cinematic story experience has always been one of the modern MK selling points, but it's starting to look a little dusty. They need a better way to marry story, play, and training (getting those casuals skilled up and playing online should be a goal for them, longer tail, more dedicated DLC buyers).
- Junk the kameo system. Right in the trash, do not attempt to re-tool. Go back to set variations or just gasp fully realized characters.
Anyway, that's my necro-2 cents. Sad this one was a dud. I would love to see the reaction to this be to go back to gameplay closer to MKX, fast and in your face. I'm also sad it looks like we won't have an Injustice 3 any time soon. Still praying for the resurrection of Lex.
