mortal kombat x
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'Mortal Kombat X' and the comedy of violence
Mortal Kombat is synonymous with violence -- hell, it's baked into the franchise's name. But despite how increasingly gruesome the series has become with each successive release throughout its 23-year history, it hasn't lost sight of keeping the tone light as a counterbalance. Whether that's a head popping up saying, "Toasty!" in falsetto after a particularly brutal uppercut, or turning an opponent into a crying baby that slips on a puddle of frozen urine at the end of a match, humor is just as intrinsic to the game as its bloodshed. What the series delivers is cartoony, over-the-top violence akin to the B-movie horror of something like Peter Jackson's Dead Alive. Fatalities, Mortal Kombat's signature, end-of-match moves, are shockingly gory, for sure, but somehow developer NetherRealm keeps the game from feeling like torture porn. "We're not out trying to make Saw or a horror film," says NetherRealm Lead Designer John Edwards. "We don't take ourselves too seriously."
'Mortal Kombat X' ups the fright factor with Jason Voorhees
Round 1, FRIGHT! Jason Voorhees, the hockey-masked murderer from the classic Friday the 13th horror films, will be a playable character in Mortal Kombat X. Jason joins the fight as part of the Kombat Pack DLC pass, which includes four playable characters (including Jason), plus the Samurai Pack with three character skins: Ronin Kenshi, Samurai Shinnok and Jingu Kitana. The Kombat Pack is $30, though in the Americas it comes packed in with more expensive, special editions of the game -- The Kollector's Edition is $150, the Limited Edition is $100 and Premium is $90. Mortal Kombat X launches on April 14 for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4; the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions have been delayed until summer. Sharpen your fighting skills (and your machete collection), and check out the Mortal Kombat X Jason teaser below.
Reptile gets the go-ahead for Mortal Kombat X
Who's next? Mortal Kombat series veteran Reptile will return in the upcoming multiplatform sequel Mortal Kombat X, developer NetherRealm Studios confirmed with IGN this week. After making his debut as a hidden character in the original Mortal Kombat, Reptile went on to appear in many subsequent series entries, boasting a moveset that revolves around his ability to spit acid and draw in his opponents with magnetic projectiles. Hopefully, you won't need to trigger a secret match-up to see him this time around. Mortal Kombat X will launch for the PlayStation 4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC platforms on April 14. [Image: Midway]
Evo 2015 line-up announced, double helping of Smash
Super Smash Bros Wii U and Melee are two of the nine games already confirmed for this year's Evolution Championship Series. As revealed during last night's Twitch stream, the line-up for Las Vegas this July also includes returning games Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Ultra Street Fighter 4 and Killer Instinct, The remaining four games are new for this year, and they are Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Guilty Gear Xrd Sign, Mortal Kombat X and Tekken 7. Recent years have seen more games added closer to the event, though a roster of nine is already on the high end for an EVO championship. Whatever the full line-up proves to be, it's coming to the Bally's/Paris Las Vegas Casino, where the world's fighting game specialists will duke it out across July 17-19.
Kung Lao, Kitana, Goro officially join Mortal Kombat X cast
He's a stoic monk in a murderous hat and she's the buxom princess of a demonic alternate reality, but there's one thing they can both agree on: That four-armed guy at the end of this trailer is a real jerk for crashing their unveiling. [Image: WBIE/Netherrealm Studios]
Joystiq Weekly: Awesome Games Done Quick, Kalimba review, DIY Mario and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. It was a pretty quiet week thanks to the end-of-the-year holiday lull, but things should pick up soon! Like, today even – Awesome Games Done Quick has just kicked off a week-long marathon of high-skill and speedrun-oriented livestreams, with all donations benefiting the Prevent Cancer Foundation. If supporting a worthwhile cause isn't enough of an excuse to watch talented players blaze through games, what is? ... Yes, okay, other than free puppies. While you're waiting on something of interest that's buried in the event's schedule, catch up on what you might have missed while you were doing relaxing, vacation-y things. PlayStation Network users got good news regarding last week's service outage, Contributing Editor Danny Cowan's relationship survived his Kalimba review, and we explored the history of do-it-yourself Mario and the technical shift in Mortal Kombat X's gore.
Mortal Kombat X will see the return of Kung Lao
Kung Lao will once again fight the good, deadly fight in Mortal Kombat X, according to Finnish gaming magazine Pelaaja. Mortal Kombat fan site TestYourMight has translated some of the relevant article, revealing Kung Lao's three fighting forms: Tempest, Buzz Saw and Hat Trick. According to TestYourMight's translation, the Tempest form focuses on whirling spin attacks, while Buzz Saw utilizes Lao's razor-lined hat. Hat Trick sounds similar in that it focuses on the Mortal Kombat series' most deadly fashion accessory, but also allows players to send out and call back the hat at will, making it a trickster/trapper-oriented fighting style. It should also be noted that, what with MKX taking place well after the events of 2011's Mortal Kombat, our monk friend has definitely aged a bit, and is no longer the spry youth you see above. Unfortunately, creator Ed Boon is being more than coy about giving us an extended look at his aged mug. When asked if Kung Lao would get a proper trailer, Boon tweeted a picture of an old sprite pasted onto a moving wagon. Get it? 'Cause it's a trailer. Well, there's only one answer to this problem. We'll just have to ... *ahem* FINNISH HIM. [Image: WB Interactive]
Mortal Kombat X and the beauty of gore
In a demo video for the next installment of Mortal Kombat, series staple Scorpion is moments from being decimated by the fatality of D'Vorah – an insect-like woman joining the roster. In her final move, she summons a swarm of flesh eating bugs. They eat two holes into Scorpion before setting on his head. The flesh disappears quickly – his skin eaten away first, inner flesh and then the muscle closest to the bone. In the end, all that remains is his skull and his jawbone hangs off to the left, like a door on a rusty hinge. Adding insult to fatal injury, Scorpion's skull rolls away and D'Vorah crushes it with the heel of her boot. Creative. Disgusting. And yet, strangely beautiful. Mortal Kombat X continues the franchise's grand tradition of a love affair with gore.
Warner Bros. working on new Mortal Kombat live-action series
To coincide with the 2015 launch of Mortal Kombat X, the Warner Bros. media empire is planning a new live-action series based on NetherRealm's bloody fighter. A joint production from publisher Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Warner Bros.' new digital series production arm Blue Ribbon Content, the untitled series will reportedly "[showcase] some of the franchise's most storied characters, while introducing a new generation of fighters." At least, that's the official description. It does little to tell us who are what might appear in this series, though the mention of a "new generation" suggests that the show will mirror the latter-day setting of Mortal Kombat X. There's no word on when we can expect this series to launch, where it might launch, or if any notable actors are involved. It does not appear that this new series has any ties to 2011's Mortal Kombat: Legacy, though that's to be expected given creator and director Kevin Tancharoen's departure. [Image: WBIE]
DC Comics is publishing a Mortal Kombat X komic
Look, we get it. You're thinking about picking up Mortal Kombat X next year, but there's a problem. You missed the last Mortal Kombat, and you're worried that Mortal Kombat X's plot will leave you totally lost. But never fear, lapsed virtual pugilists, because DC Comics has announced that it will publish a prequel comic series. The new series "will serve as a prequel to the game and will feature many favorite characters and the next generation of Kombatants," according to DC, and will be written by Shawn Kittelsen with illustrations by Dexter Soy and cover art courtesy of Ivan Reis. The series is set to debut in January 2015, at which point we can finally learn why that Scorpion guy is so crabby.
Mortal Kombat X summons the demonic Quan Chi
Quan Chi is a master manipulator, able to use his demonic powers to open portals or summon beasts in battle in Mortal Kombat X. In a new trailer from NetherRealm, we get a first look at the baddie's trio of variant powers and a quick glimpse at his gruesomely awesome fatality. Mortal Kombat X launches April 14, 2015.
Mortal Kombat X controllers from PDP are lopsided, not final
Gaming accessory manufacturer PDP is working on new gamepads designed specifically for Mortal Kombat X, and the company showed off designs for Xbox One and PS4 at GameStop Expo last week. Iron Galaxy Community Manager Alex Jebailey snapped some photos of the gamepads and posted them on Instagram. The controllers displayed at the conference featured six big buttons on the stumpy right side of the gamepad – A, B, X, Y, LB and RB for Xbox One – and a directional stick on the left side. It's not an analog stick, PDP told IGN. "The stick that you see is actually a series of micro-switches as well (just like the buttons), not an analog stick. It helps to bring the player closer to the classic arcade feel." PDP clarified that the gamepads shown at GameStop Expo were not final products. "The Mortal Kombat X controller that we showed at the GameStop Expo is still in development, so platforms have not been finalized," PDP said. "We like to work with the manufacturers to get a licensed product when possible. The controllers are designed along the lines of our VS Fight Pads which came out for the Xbox 360 and PS3 a few years back." Mortal Kombat X is due out on April 14, 2015, for PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC. [Image: PDP]
Mortal Kombat X marks the spot as April 2015 worldwide
Mortal Kombat X arrives on April 14, 2015 for PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3 and Windows PC, Warner Bros. announced this morning. The publisher confirmed the launch date for NetherRealm Studios' fighter applies worldwide. Also, WB revealed four-armed charmer Goro is coming back to the series, making his first appearance as a playable character since 2006 entry Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. If you've absolutely Goro have him, he's a "retail channel-wide" pre-order exclusive in North America, and across the pond he's limited to "an exclusive UK retailer"
Mortal Kombat X to revive long-missing 'ality
If there's been a murder-shaped hole in your heart since the heady days of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, your bloodlust may soon be sated. Series co-creator Ed Boon revealed at Gamescom this week that a lost Fatality type from earlier Mortal Kombat games is due to make a grand return in Mortal Kombat X. "For those who are familiar with Mortal Kombat, we first had the Fatality and we added a Babality. We had the Friendship moves, Brutality moves and all of these crazy things over the years," Boon told IGN. "We are going to be reinstating an 'Ality' from a previous game into Mortal Kombat X. And I can't wait to be able to talk about it but at the moment I can't." 2011's Mortal Kombat featured Fatalities, Babalities, and Pit Fatalities, so by our estimation, Mortal Kombat X could feature Mortal Kombat 3's Brutality combo beatdowns, character-transforming Animalities, or the comically non-violent Friendship finishers introduced in Mortal Kombat 2. Of the candidates, Brutalities are the most likely to return. Boon previously stated that a Brutality system was planned for 2011's Mortal Kombat, but the team at NetherRealm lacked the time to finish the feature before the game shipped. Mortal Kombat X will launch in 2015 for the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS4, and PC platforms. [Image: NetherRealm Studios]
This is what makes the snapping bone sound in Mortal Kombat X
That juicy explosion of a crushed skull in Mortal Kombat X is actually the sound of a watermelon splattering on a layer of plastic in NetherRealm's foley studio. The remaining bone snaps, cranium hits and squishy organ sounds are mostly made with various fruits and vegetables, Warner Bros Marketing Games Manager Brian Goodman told Joystiq at Gamescom. Mortal Kombat X is an exceedingly gruesome game, done in a way that makes it clear that NetherRealm knows how ridiculous it's being at all times. The art team stressed to accurately portray the sub-dermal anatomy of each character, Goodman said – and then Scorpion rips a hole though Sub-Zero's torso until his heart dangles in the middle of his gaping chest cavity. Ridiculous. The next time you pick up a melon at the store, try picturing it as Raiden's melon. Yum. [Image: Warner Bros]
Kano gets the green light for Mortal Kombat X
The cybernetically charged Kano is the latest combatant to be revealed for Mortal Kombat X, courtesy of a brand new trailer. As creative director Ed Boon explains, Kano's three fighting styles are the slice-and-dicing Cutthroat, the Cybernetic style complete with eye laser, and finally the more close-quarters, counter-based Commando. Helpfully, the three fighting styles are denoted by the color of Kano's glowing cybernetic heart - the things they can do with cybernetic hearts these days. Kano joins Scorpion, Raiden and Sub-Zero on the returning side, while new characters include insect woman D'vorah, the disturbing two-in-one amalgamation Ferra/Torr, chest-baring Aztec god Kotal Kahn, and relative newcomer Cassie Cage. Expect more info and characters to gradually trickle out between now and Mortal Kombat X hitting PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC sometime next year. [Image: Warner Bros.]
Mortal Kombat X will feature at least one 'guest' character
Teasing NetherRealm's DLC plans for Mortal Kombat X, series co-creator Ed Boon revealed that the upcoming fighter will likely feature at least one "guest" character from an outside franchise. "I think there's a novelty to having a downloaded guest character," Boon said at the 3:56:00 mark in this Madcatz-produced video. "The chances of [having] at least one of them will be pretty good." A Nightmare on Elm Street villain Freddy Krueger previously appeared in 2011's Mortal Kombat as add-on content, and Mortal Kombat's Scorpion went on to guest star in fellow NetherRealm-developed fighter Injustice: Gods Among Us in 2013. Though classic combatant Raiden recently joined Mortal Kombat X's playable roster, Boon notes that the game will feature "more new MK characters since the first [Mortal Kombat]." Boon assured that Mortal Kombat X's add-on content could host an array of returning fighters beyond its initial roster, however. "If you don't see your favorite character, there's always the DLC characters," he said. "[You] can hold out hope to see that we're going to include them." [Image: NetherRealm Studios]
Wassapugeddaw! Raiden revealed for Mortal Kombat X
Mortal Kombat series creator Ed Boon had a special treat for fans at this year's EVO event; the return of Raiden in Mortal Kombat X. According to an interview between Boon and IGN, the infamous thunder god will be screaming gibberish at his opponents in three distinct styles, tentatively being called "Displacer," "Storm Lord" and "Thunder God" respectively. Displacer style will focus heavily on teleportation, while Thunder God will empower Raiden's electrocution moveset. Storm Lord will help players control large portions of the stage, as it allows Raiden to set lightning ball traps which hang in the air and form a stream of lightning once two of them have been placed. You can see Raiden in action by checking out the trailer above, where he and Kotal Khan stare each other down before Raiden offers up this gem of a burn: "Thunder blots out the sun." Which isn't ... uh ... correct. Well, no one ever said he was the smartest god. [Image: Warner Bros.]
Joystiq's E3 2014 Selections
With E3 2014 in the books, Joystiq's writers look back at their favorites from the show. With the only stipulation being that the game must have been playable to qualify, the team presents its selections for favorite games of E3 2014. From independent gems to major releases from powerhouse publishers, Joystiq's list represents the variety of experiences available to video game fans worldwide. Here are Joystiq's first annual "E3 Selections."
