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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]
WoW Moviewatch: Mortal Kombat
If you're looking to get more war into Warcraft, this machinima parody may be for you. Presenting a WoW arena match in the classic Mortal Kombat style, this video doesn't quite match the play style of either game, though it does manage to mimic both. WoW combat doesn't quite lend itself to something as fast-paced as Mortal Kombat, while Mortal Kombat lacks WoW's depth of abilities (things like polymorph and ice block would simply be gamebreaking). The end result of combining these two systems definitely bends the game rules of both WoW and Mortal Kombat to create something that will be familiar (at least familiar-ish) to players of either game. So would you play a Warcraft-ized version of Mortal Kombat -- or are the originals good enough for your game? Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
Mortal Kombat X seems to live up to its gory pedigree
I won't claim to have in-depth, intricate knowledge on Mortal Kombat X - the demo I played only featured six characters and three stages - but I can confidently say that short of a few changes, the game should feel very familiar to fans of Mortal Kombat 9. The biggest change I was shown offers characters a trio of styles to choose from before battle. After selecting Sub-Zero, for instance, players can opt for a defensive style, a style focused on crafting weapons from ice and a third style centered around the character's classic ice clone move. Taking a page from the Injustice: Gods Among Us playbook, Mortal Kombat X also features interactive backgrounds, though instead of focusing purely on damage, these elements are more useful for positioning. An example would be Scorpion leaping from the back of a dozing sabertoothed cat to land behind his opponent, or swinging from a frozen tree branch to extend his jumping range. [Image: WBIE]
Seen@E3: Who's next for Mortal Kombat X?
We're expecting to hear "Get over here!" a lot in Mortal Kombat X when it launches in 2015 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PC. Be sure to catch a glimpse of the game in action courtesy of a gameplay trailer shown off during Sony's E3 2014 press conference.
'Mortal Kombat X' listed by Amazon UK
Amazon's UK storefront has posted listings of a "Mortal Kombat X" for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC platforms. The listings are void of description and imagery, but list Warner Bros. Interactive as publisher, and estimate a release date of 2015. Mortal Kombat series creator Ed Boon has been teasing something over the past few weeks, counting down days via images posted to his Twitter account. That countdown is set to end tomorrow, so we should know more soon. [Image: Warner Bros. Interactive]
Ed Boon teases new Mortal Kombat with decreasing subtlety
NetherRealm Studios creative director Ed Boon has been offering innocuous images seemingly suggesting a new Mortal Kombat game on the horizon for quite a while now, but with yesterday's appearance of a leaked promotional poster, the franchise co-creator has grown much less coy. The poster that appeared on Reddit features a mangled human spine, the familiar dragon's head logo of the Mortal Kombat series, and the phrase "Who's Next?" Though his earlier attempts at teasing fans were far more obscure - this photo of a car's bumper would be dull coming from anyone but Boon - Boon embraced the poster, borrowing that monochrome dragon's head for use as his Twitter icon and replacing his account's header image with that "Who's Next?" slogan. Following a host of questions from fans, Boon has apparently given up on his attempts to tease his Twitter followers. "I don't suppose there's anything I can do to make you think we still MIGHT be announcing Injustice 2 in #five days is there.....?" Boon later asked no one in particular. Assuming there is a new Mortal Kombat in the works, it seems quite likely that we'll hear all about it at the upcoming E3 conference, though Boon may spill the beans a bit early. That "MKX" bumper photograph was part of a slow countdown Boon had been updating on Twitter that is slated to hit zero on June 2. We'll keep a close eye on NetherRealm Studios, and report back on anything that might emerge. [Image: WBIE]
Don't expect to see the first three Mortal Kombat games on Wii U
In depressing news for fans of gory fisticuffs and color-coded ninjas, Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon has squashed the possibility that the first three Mortal Kombat games might appear on the Wii U virtual console. Boon was asked about the chances of Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 2 and Mortal Kombat 3 coming to the virtual console in their fan-favorite Super Nintendo incarnations. His response was concise: "0.0%." While disappointing news, it should be pointed out that all three of these games have been re-released numerous times on various other platforms, making it very easy to find your Mortal Kombat fix elsewhere. Alternately, if you're just in it for the characters and fatalities, 2011's Mortal Kombat retells the story of the first three Mortal Kombat games with far superior fighting mechanics, online multiplayer and a surprising wealth of single-player content. [Image: WBIE]
Keifer Sutherland confirms involvement in new Mortal Kombat
Keifer Sutherland's presence in games might not be a one-and-done scenario. The 24 star - and new voice of Snake in Metal Gear Solid 5 - recently told IGN that he will also be involved in a new Mortal Kombat. "I did Mortal Kombat, and that's such a huge game, but it's so not like [MGS5]," Sutherland said. Sutherland's involvement in a new MK game would make sense, given that Mortal Kombat Legacy Producer Lance Sloane said in July that studios were in the process of figuring out how to best time the release of a new game with the upcoming movie. Sutherland did not confirm his role for the game, but we're guessing ... Scorpion. No, wait. Raiden. No, Shao Kahn! Oh, the possibilities! [Image: Warner Bros]
Mortal Kombat Producer Hector Sanchez leaves NetherRealm Studios
After contributing to the well-received Mortal Kombat rebirth and the comic-oriented Injustice: Gods Among Us, NetherRealms Producer Hector Sanchez has announced his departure from the studio as he moves on to "another adventure." "It's been an absolutely AMAZING experience," Hanchez wrote on Twitter. Though details concerning his next move were not offered, Sanchez's final day at the studio was yesterday. Whatever his future plans are, it sounds like he'll be free to pursue them shortly.
Mortal Kombat film director steps aside to avoid a creative fatality
Kevin Tancharoen, the director of Mortal Kombat: Legacy, has officially stepped away from all things mortal and combative, he revealed via Twitter. Tancharoen headed up the Legacy webseries after launching Mortal Kombat Rebirth, a short, gritty film starring classic Mortal Kombat characters, in 2010. In 2011, New Line Cinema tapped Tancharoen to direct a feature film in the Mortal Kombat universe, though the franchise's IP rights were in limbo at the time. "After 3 years of Kombat, I've decided to move on to other creative opportunities," he writes. "I wish everyone involved in the movie big success. Thanks!" The entire second season of Mortal Kombat: Legacy went live courtesy of Machinima on September 27. It's 10 episodes long, so if news of Tancharoen's departure has you hankering for a fight, get started here.
Weekend deals: RPG bundles, Deep Silver sale, Xbox Live points, Injustice
PC owners with an itch for leveling up and a lot of free time are in luck this week - Gamefly has several bundles with some deep discounts, so long as you use the promo code GFDOCT20 during checkout. The Witcher series can be collectively snagged for $17.99, both Torchlight games can be looted for $13.99, and the Mass Effect Trilogy's price tag has gone Paragon at $13.99. Dragon Age: Origins Ultimate Edition (and a sadness simulator) can also be had for $9.99, while Deus Ex and Deus Ex: Invisible War can be had with couch change at $3.49. If you're a Steam user, you have until tomorrow to pick through the sale for publisher Deep Silver's catalog. Offers include Saints Row 4 at $24.99, the Metro franchise and its DLC for $36.84, and the Dead Island games and their DLC for $33.49. If you need to gear up for the Xbox One launch, GamerDeals found an Amazon promotion that pairs a $20 code for Xbox Live with the purchase of a 12-month Xbox Live Gold subscription. The offer is good until November 9, so if you don't have the cash now, no worries! Lastly, console owners can gruesomely rip a chunk off the price tag for the 360, PS3 and Vita versions of Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition for $14.99. If you'd rather spout comic-worthy one-liners while dealing out death, Injustice: Gods Among Us is on sale for the 360, PS3 and Wii U for under $40.
New Mortal Kombat game in development, says Legacy producer
There's a new Mortal Kombat game in development, according to Mortal Kombat Legacy Producer Lance Sloane. When asked about the status of the upcoming Mortal Kombat movie, Sloane said to GamerHub.tv at San Diego Comic-Con that the studio is "just figuring out the business side of it, and when we would do it... and how do we sync up with the launch of the game they're working on now, the next game." Of course, "they" would likely mean NetherRealm Studios, which developed the latest Mortal Kombat game first launched in April 2011, and recently brought it to Steam. We'll know for sure in due time, but we'll also keep our hopes alive that the project is a point-and-click adventure game set in the Mortal Kombat universe.
Scorpion seeks revenge on Injustice this Tuesday
Everybody's favorite ninja-turned-skeleton-head-ghost-ninja (Mortal Kombat's Scorpion, obviously) will fight his way back from the grave and into the DC Universe this Tuesday, June 11, when he becomes the latest DLC character for Injustice: Gods Among Us. Scorpion's implementation in Injustice appears faithful to his incarnation in 2011's Mortal Kombat, though he won't play identically due to differences in Injustice's engine and gameplay mechanics. Ol' Scorps' toasty new threads were designed by legendary comic book artist Jim Lee, seen above talking design with NetherRealm's Ed Boon. Scorpion will cost $5.
Mortal Kombat's Scorpion is next Injustice DLC character
Because it went so well the last time, the Mortal Kombat universe is once again crossing over with DC for Injustice: Gods Among Us. The first crossover character announced is Scorpion. Tell him to "get over here" for 400 Microsoft Points or $5.
Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition seeking Australian classification
Warner Bros. will submit Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition for classification in Australia. GameSpot reports the fighter will seek a rating under the country's new R18+ classification for games. Mortal Kombat was refused classification in the region when it launched two years ago and also lost a subsequent appeal.Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge will be Australia's first game classified as R18+. Australia finally relaxed its censorship laws last year to allow games intended for those over the age of 15 to be sold in the country.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy 2 set for Q2 2013, new cast details
The second season of Mortal Kombat: Legacy shadow-kicks off in Q2 2013. Titled Mortal Kombat: Legacy 2, the follow-up to the 2011 web-series is being brought to YouTube by Machinima, who Microsoft recently teamed up with on Halo 4 tie-in Forward Unto Dawn.Kevin Tancharoen returns as director and writer, while the cast list is beginning to fill with fairly recognizable names. That's come at the expense of some first season actors, such as Matt Mullins who's been replaced as Johnny Cage by Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers).In new castings, Harry Shum Jr. (Glee) plays Kuai Liang, and Brian Tee (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift), stars as Liu Kang. Old-school fans will recognize Cary Tagawa reprising the role of Shang Tsung from the 1995 Mortal Kombat film, while Ian Anthony Dale (Charmed) returns from the first season and Mortal Kombat: Rebirth as Scorpion.If you're super eager for footage of the upcoming season, Tancharoen is debuting a clip of it at the upcoming Streamy Awards on February 17, 2013.
Buy a Vita, get free Mortal Kombat and 4GB memory card
For those of you who want to test your might at any moment, no matter where you are, Amazon has a deal to help you out. Right now, if you purchase the Wi-Fi model of the PS Vita, you'll get a free copy of Mortal Kombat, along with a 4GB memory card – which will hold you over just fine until you order a more reasonably-sized card.Mortal Kombat seems like an odd choice for a console pack-in, given its status as both a port and a super-gross violent game, but it is at least a good game! Prospective Vita owners have not always been so fortunate.
PSN Tuesday: Awesomenauts, Mortal Kombat
Nothing can prepare you for this week's nostalgic update on the PlayStation Store ... save for a succinct summary such as this one. Awesomenauts brings a faux-retro flair to the MOBA genre today (for free, if you're a PlayStation Plus subscriber), while Mortal Kombat reduces its depraved fighting to more diminutive form on Vita.PlayStation Plus subscribers receive some other freebies this week, including Trine 2, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Castlevania Chronicles. The PS One Classics lineup is bolstered with The Legend of Dragoon, and moving up a generation to PlayStation 2 gets you the original Max Payne.Check the PlayStation Blog for a full list of new store items, if you please.
3 windwalker monk abilities that channel classic fighting games
One of the key themes being presented with the new monk class is arcade brawlers, and the new windwalker specialization delivers this in spades. I spent my youth getting rocked by Sagat in Street Fighter II on the SNES, and I've enjoyed the genre ever since. From my time on the beta with windwalkers, here are three abilities that immediately evoke my childhood. Sorry, brewmasters and mistweavers; these abilities are only for those of us who can kick back and knuckle up. Flying Serpent Kick Josh Myers touched on this in his earlier article on monk abilities, but remember Liu Kang's signature flying kick from Mortal Kombat? It's here, and it's every bit as awesome now as it was then. Hit Flying Serpent Kick, and your windwalker takes off at what appears to be epic mount speed, which lasts for several seconds (about 100 yards of travel). Click again and he lands, damaging and slowing anything in the area. This doesn't hit overly hard, but combined with Roll, it's amazing maneuverability around the battlefield. I used to call feral druids the fastest spec on the battlefield, but not anymore. Forget Heroic Leap; this is now my favorite ability in the game.
PSN Spring Fever extended: Mortal Kombat diskounts tomorrow
Sony's had such success with its PSN Spring Fever discount promotion the last few weeks that it's been extended an additional week. Joining the launch of Wheels of Destruction tomorrow are discounts across the board for all Mortal Kombat kontent.The Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection, which contains the original Mortal Kombat and sequels Mortal Kombat 2 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, is on sale for $6.99, and $4.99 for PS Plus subscribers. In addition to that, all DLC content for Netherrealm's Mortal Kombat reboot is on sale, either as individual fighter downloads for $3.49 each ($2.44 if you're a PS Plus subscriber) or all together in one bundle for $10.49; $7.47 if you're a PS Plus subscriber.Finally, you can download Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe at a reduced cost of $13.49, but you may want to read a few reviews before pulling the trigger on that one. Just saying!