Has NRS silenced the Mortal Kombat 1 critics?

[Kiss the Missile]

Saying MK1 is a flop is a bit weird. MK11 was on more platforms than any other title. X was only on PS4, XB1 and PC. 11 had all of those plus PS5, Series X and Switch. MK1 doesn't have access to the massive install base of the PS4 & XB1

People also forget that MK11 was on sale for like $15 every other week

 

[superbn0va]

Quality is purely subjective, so thinking that sales indicate how good a game is, is invalid.

The reason why MK games sell that much has more to do with marketing, gore, branding and wishful thinking from their community than the quality of their games.

 

[Vulgar]

We need a new thread.

 

[Juxtapose]

... the game feels objectively counter-intuitive for beginners...

My experience here has been different. I've found new players to fighting games found Mortal Kombat 11 far more intuitive and easy to pick up overall.

The fantastic Tutorial is a big plus, and the overall less offensive nature of the game and more streamlined combo system with Krushing Blows and the come-back mechanic of Fatal Blows was less overwhelming then, say, Mortal Kombat X.

Flawless Blocking is the only mechanic I saw a lot of new players really struggling with.

 

[wsj515]

Groan

I can kind of understand why you guys don't want to do anything about it but this site just sucks now because of stuff like this.

Almost every single discussion for this game has been ruined / derailed by these topics, always by the same users, who don't even play the game we're discussing. There's even dogwhistling for people like 16bit and Sonic that happens at a pretty high frequency - why would any serious person come here to talk about the game?

 

[Subby Z]

I can kind of understand why you guys don't want to do anything about it but this site just sucks now because of stuff like this.

Almost every single discussion for this game has been ruined / derailed by these topics, always by the same users, who don't even play the game we're discussing. There's even dogwhistling for people like 16bit and Sonic that happens at a pretty high frequency - why would any serious person come here to talk about the game?

Because it requires a discussion with a little nuance and just completely silencing people doesn’t help anyone. That conversation can be kept polite, but as you are witnessing just by your post you just want it erased or censored just like reddit.

That’s how echo chambers get created. People don’t want to listen to differing opinions outside of theirs. They cry to mods and overly progressive mods say it’s violence then remove it and you wonder why games end up not doing as well.

The word of the day is dog whistle now apparently .

 

[M2Dave]

Because it requires a discussion with a little nuance and just completely silencing people doesn’t help anyone. That conversation can be kept polite, but as you are witnessing just by your post you just want it erased or censored just like reddit.

I agree with you on this topic, but why do you keep mentioning it?

You already know where 85% of all users on this website stand on this issue (and various others if you read the politics thread several years ago).

You will never convince them and they will never convince you, so baiting people to respond seems pointless and unnecessary.

Besides, this thread revolves around gameplay and the improvements that NRS has made.

I would stay away from the social issues.

 

[Vulgar]

I can kind of understand why you guys don't want to do anything about it but this site just sucks now because of stuff like this.

Almost every single discussion for this game has been ruined / derailed by these topics, always by the same users, who don't even play the game we're discussing. There's even dogwhistling for people like 16bit and Sonic that happens at a pretty high frequency - why would any serious person come here to talk about the game?

But the REAL toxic and "instigating" poster is the guy that says people's opinions about the game this site is about are dumb.

Priorities, ho!

 

[Vulgar]

I do think you should have at least played arcade mode or story mode or tutorial or to just have played the game at all in order to have your opinion taken seriously.

Otherwise your contribution is, "I don't like the way x looks/changed, so game is bad."

And there's just nowhere to go with the discussion after that cause it's a vibes-based argument.

 

[Subby Z]

I do think you should have at least played arcade mode or story mode or tutorial or to just have played the game at all in order to have your opinion taken seriously.

Otherwise your contribution is, "I don't like the way x looks/changed, so game is bad."

And there's just nowhere to go with the discussion after that cause it's a vibes-based argument.

I do not understand your argument anymore on this at all.

You’re basically saying, “You didn’t like what you saw or heard I can’t believe you wouldn’t pay $70 for this fucking game!”.

Like what? No. I like Kuai Liang as Sub-Zero plain and simple. He’s always who I play. He is not there so I don’t care. Same with Jade. Actually the roster as a whole (hot take here) I’m just not huge on. I’ve explained that extensively though how the revamp of the 3D era characters kinda fell flat from what I’ve watched. Their gameplay may be cool, but I’m not a gameplay guy. I’m not going to tournaments so I don’t really care.

@M2Dave

I comment about that because I think that topic is important. If this is just strictly a gameplay thread then it has lost the plot because literally everything is being discussed here.

It’s important they hear differing opinions. For instance I am not politically rightwing. You would think I am because I have to argue against some of the topics here but I’m not.

I for instance have had to tell family members that they most likely won’t be receiving $5000 checks in the mail and to stop reading that type of shit and buying into that hype unless it’s confirmed. I voted blue in 2016 and 2020 (for anyone wondering). I didn’t vote in the last election because I knew it was lost tbh.

The far left talk also has to be met with criticism though especially with what fans are tired of seeing in games. If there are no dissenting opinions how can any of us learn or try to see other sides?

 

[Juxtapose]

You’re basically saying, “You didn’t like what you saw or heard I can’t believe you wouldn’t pay $70 for this fucking game!”.

I think it's more he's trying to say that your opinion is from the outside looking in, when you're trying to push your opinion more objectively. Vulgar can correct me if I'm wrong there.

I absolutely get not liking something based on aesthetics, I think it's a valid, subjective opinion. The problem comes into play when you're trying to argue that subjective opinion objectively against people who are trying to discuss the game more from a technical/gameplay side of things.

They're different lines of thought.

I for instance have had to tell family members that they most likely won’t be receiving $5000 checks in the mail and to stop reading that type of shit and buying into that hype unless it’s confirmed.

It's sad/unfortunate that you have to do this.

 

[TarkatanPeriodontik]

Yeah that’s sad subby. Really drives home how all this fraud and grifting is super charged right now. I miss the days of people posting for the lulz what an innocent era. Todays internet/communication all happens through a giant Shang tsung tower of multi level marketing

 

[Marlow]

Soooo. Egg prices. Boy are they high right now, ya know?

 

[wsj515]

Because it requires a discussion with a little nuance and just completely silencing people doesn’t help anyone. That conversation can be kept polite, but as you are witnessing just by your post you just want it erased or censored just like reddit.

That’s how echo chambers get created. People don’t want to listen to differing opinions outside of theirs. They cry to mods and overly progressive mods say it’s violence then remove it and you wonder why games end up not doing as well.

The word of the day is dog whistle now apparently .

I'm not asking for censorship or an echo chamber - but literally every time we have a thread like this, something about how NRS has ruined MK by "going woke" comes up, its absolutely exhausting. Maybe its because you have literally nothing else to talk about, because you haven't played the game.

The conversation can be kept polite, but it almost always isn't. Some few people are able to walk the line and express why they're sad/frustrated that their favorite character has been changed in some "fundamental" way - but for many more, the conversation veers in a much worse direction.

We're still waiting on @Trickywizard to explain why Sonic is a "piece of shit scumbag" because "if you know you know" doesn't really cut it - bro could have just not said anything at all; and I could go back and quote some terrible things said about 16bit and others as well.

 

[Felipe_Gewehr]

but literally every time we have a thread like this, something about how NRS has ruined MK by "going woke" comes up, its absolutely exhausting.

I'm also noticing this has becoming quite a large phenomenon across the entirety of the "gaming community" worldwide. People bashing Baldur's Gate 3 for being "woke", then bashing Dragon Age for being "woke", now Avowed for being "woke". It is dumb and exhausting indeed.

 

[Juxtapose]

Soooo. Egg prices. Boy are they high right now, ya know?

I actually don't know. Have the prices of eggs risen in the US?

 

[Juxtapose]

I'm also noticing this has becoming quite a large phenomenon across the entirety of the "gaming community" worldwide. People bashing Baldur's Gate 3 for being "woke", then bashing Dragon Age for being "woke", now Avowed for being "woke". It is dumb and exhausting indeed.

It is the gaming community as a whole, and beyond. For games specifically, I see this kind of talk for almost all of my fav franchises. Mortal Kombat, Gears of War, Diablo, and even Halo. I think The Elder Scrolls and DOOM are the only ones I haven't seen it yet, though I don't pay attention to The Elder Scrolls Online. I've seen it a bit for Fallout with respect to the show as well.

 

[Vulgar]

I do not understand your argument anymore on this at all.

You’re basically saying, “You didn’t like what you saw or heard I can’t believe you wouldn’t pay $70 for this fucking game!”.

Like what? No. I like Kuai Liang as Sub-Zero plain and simple. He’s always who I play. He is not there so I don’t care. Same with Jade. Actually the roster as a whole (hot take here) I’m just not huge on. I’ve explained that extensively though how the revamp of the 3D era characters kinda fell flat from what I’ve watched. Their gameplay may be cool, but I’m not a gameplay guy. I’m not going to tournaments so I don’t really care.

@M2Dave

I comment about that because I think that topic is important. If this is just strictly a gameplay thread then it has lost the plot because literally everything is being discussed here.

It’s important they hear differing opinions. For instance I am not politically rightwing. You would think I am because I have to argue against some of the topics here but I’m not.

I for instance have had to tell family members that they most likely won’t be receiving $5000 checks in the mail and to stop reading that type of shit and buying into that hype unless it’s confirmed. I voted blue in 2016 and 2020 (for anyone wondering). I didn’t vote in the last election because I knew it was lost tbh.

The far left talk also has to be met with criticism though especially with what fans are tired of seeing in games. If there are no dissenting opinions how can any of us learn or try to see other sides?

I am unsurprised that you can't seem to follow my argument.

We get it. Baby no likey change.

What else you got?

What further productive points about the game do you have to make other than, "the game is bad because I don't like how this character looks."

Cool. I don't give a shit.

Give me something substantial.

 

[Vulgar]

It is the gaming community as a whole, and beyond. For games specifically, I see this kind of talk for almost all of my fav franchises. Mortal Kombat, Gears of War, Diablo, and even Halo. I think The Elder Scrolls and DOOM are the only ones I haven't seen it yet, though I don't pay attention to The Elder Scrolls Online. I've seen it a bit for Fallout with respect to the show as well.

No, they've called the new Doom game woke because it offered accessibility options and difficulty sliders.

Woke simply means, "anything that isn't his, white, or straight and anything I don't personally like."

They're very fragile people.

 

[Eldriken]

No, they've called the new Doom game woke because it offered accessibility options and difficulty sliders.

Woke simply means, "anything that isn't his, white, or straight and anything I don't personally like."

They're very fragile people.

Everybody who doesn't mind their own business is fragile. It's that simple. Folks always getting bothered by stupid shit that doesn't involve them.

 

[Marlow]

I actually don't know. Have the prices of eggs risen in the US?

Average Price: Eggs, Grade A, Large (Cost per Dozen) in U.S. City Average

Large white, Grade A chicken eggs, sold in a carton of a dozen. Includes organic, non-organic, cage free, free range, and traditional."

fred.stlouisfed.org

 

[Vulgar]

I'm also noticing this has becoming quite a large phenomenon across the entirety of the "gaming community" worldwide. People bashing Baldur's Gate 3 for being "woke", then bashing Dragon Age for being "woke", now Avowed for being "woke". It is dumb and exhausting indeed.

Whats funny is that they tried to say, "We don't want you 'forcing diversity' into existing franchises. Make something new."

And then a bunch of new stuff was made, and they still called it "woke" and "DEI" without understanding what any of it means besides whatever flavor of reactionary content creator told them.

Personally? I can't imagine having such a care free life as to get angry at a woman being in a video game.

It must be nice not to have real problems.

 

[Juxtapose]

No, they've called the new Doom game woke because it offered accessibility options and difficulty sliders.

Woke simply means, "anything that isn't his, white, or straight and anything I don't personally like."

They're very fragile people.

Wow, really? You mean DOOM Eternal or DOOM: The Dark Ages?

Average Price: Eggs, Grade A, Large (Cost per Dozen) in U.S. City Average

Large white, Grade A chicken eggs, sold in a carton of a dozen. Includes organic, non-organic, cage free, free range, and traditional."

fred.stlouisfed.org

Do you know what the reason is? I ask because here (Canada), we've seen rising grocery prices in general for a few years now. It started with supply chain disruptions from the pandemic, and then rising costs of food production were also sited. Gouging by the major grocery chains here is also believed to be a major part.

 

[Marlow]

I haven't looked into it too closely. I've mostly heard that bird flu is to blame. Essentially means having to kill of large quantities of chickens, which means a drop in egg supply which causes rising prices. Could also be related to egg production being highly concentrated in fewer hands, so less market competition and easier to price gouge. Also demand for eggs has been growing. Also could be a bit of that market fear where people hear that prices are rising and quantities are limited, so they rush out to the store to buy a bunch which temporarily increases demand and price, similar to toilet paper and tissues during the early pandemic.

 

[Subby Z]

It is the gaming community as a whole, and beyond. For games specifically, I see this kind of talk for almost all of my fav franchises. Mortal Kombat, Gears of War, Diablo, and even Halo. I think The Elder Scrolls and DOOM are the only ones I haven't seen it yet, though I don't pay attention to The Elder Scrolls Online. I've seen it a bit for Fallout with respect to the show as well.

I’d argue more it’s in western games. Also to be fair it’s not just gaming. It’s Hollywood as well.

I haven’t noticed (at least ime) these complaints with tekken, few with street fighter if any, and none with resident evil. It’s become a war. That’s why it’s called the culture wars.

The thing is though woke is definitely a thing. The genderswaps in MK1 for instance alone are ridiculous for example, but then we (the people on the other side) are called ridiculous for calling it out.

There is almost a creatives vs business thing in the mix of it as well. Creatives 9 times out of 10 lean very liberal and in doing so shove elements in their games that reflect that. However at large EVERYONE plays these games and I’d wager to say the majority (at least of the US) is not super liberal. We’re a mixed bag in the States and so when you gender and race swap characters that people really know and love (this is less so the case with less prominent characters) well then the creatives are throwing fuel on the fire, but they don’t care because they’d rather watch the world burn than admit maybe not everyone wants their message in a game that’s supposed to be an escape at the end of the day.