Amidst a global pandemic, it’s easy to forget about all the great video game content headed our way in the coming year. The worldwide phenomenon of Animal Crossing: New Horizons has done a fairly good job at easing our worries, but many gamers are still arriving to a stall in their gaming lives. There’s no longer anything to fear, as NetherRealm Studios is the latest to answer our desperate cry for distraction with the announcement of new DLC titled Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. Suddenly, the future has never looked better.
After the release of Mortal Kombat 11’s first Kombat Pack, which ended its character rollout last March with the inclusion of Spawn, it remained unclear what the future would hold for further content. Mortal Kombat X had a similar rollout of content post-release, but no one could’ve predicted what would come next with the latest installment in this famous franchise.
Lucky for fighting fans everywhere, the creators of this beloved, bloody series didn’t leave us hanging for long. After the surprise reveal, here’s what we’ve learned about this latest chapter.
NEW STORY
Liu Kang faces a new challenge in Aftermath
According to a PlayStation blog post, players will get to see some of the DLC characters take a starring role in the story expansion.
The new chapters in time-twisting narrative of Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath allowed us to give Nightwolf, Fujin, and Sheeva their most sizable roles in any Mortal Kombat game to date. We get to learn more about what drives them, from Fujin’s devotion to Earthrealm’s mortals to Sheeva’s undying loyalty to her empress, Sindel.
Picking up where Mortal Kombat 11’s main story left off, we see mainstay protagonists Raiden and Liu Kang still at the dawn of time, preparing to create a new history. However, their plan is immediately halted by the appearance of Fujin, Nightwing, and Shang Tsung. According to the sorcerer, Kronika’s Crown was destroyed during her final battle with Liu Kang. Therefore, the Hourglass—alongside all the realms—will be destroyed should he attempt to restart time without it. Shang Tsung presents a simple answer to our hero’s dilemma, which is to allow the trio to go back in time and find the Crown before Kronika ever does.
Easier said than done, especially when a sorcerer with a reputation of double-crossing his allies is at the lead. Players can expect nothing but trouble to result from this—one might say deadly—alliance.
But that’s what we’re all here for, isn’t it?
NEW CHARACTERS
Wait, what? RoboCop joins the Mortal Kombat 11 roster
When the story expansion teaser was released a day prior to the full reveal, the inclusion of even more characters was likely something nobody expected. After receiving a stream of DLC characters through Kombat Pack 1, more narrative content was enough of a treat in itself.
We should’ve known better.
As always, NetherRealm have delighted us with another surprise. Fan favorites Fujin and Sheeva will be arriving alongside the release. Just like most of Mortal Kombat 11’s characters, both sport refreshed designs and even gorier finishers. The most shocking reveal to players will no doubt be the addition of RoboCop. Ever since Mortal Kombat (2011) introduced Freddy Krueger alongside its respective DLC release, the series has made it a staple to include guest characters with each Kombat Pack installment. This choice remains heavily debated amongst fans, and it’s likely to remain so with this latest inclusion.
Still, who doesn’t want to see The Terminator and RoboCop face off in a death match? You know you love it.
NEW FINISHERS AND STAGES
Stage Fatalities are back for maximized suffering
Besides the fresh fatalities paired with each new character, fans are in for even more of the bloody fun they’re used to. Along with the return of classic stages like the Klassic Dead Pool and Soul Chamber, two brand new arenas will be coming our way. One of these is called the RetroKade, which the same developer from NetherRealm called “a love letter to the fans…It’s like someone opened up a portal to NostalgiaRealm!”
Stage Fatalities have also found a new home with this DLC release; although, not all stages will feature their own finisher, leaving it up to players to discover which ones have been updated. Mortal Kombat X had some Stage Fatalities of its own added after release, but we only saw three stages receive such treatment. From what it sounds like, we’re in for more than three this time around.
Another classic feature returns to Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath with Friendships, which promise to be as funny and friendly as ever. The last time we saw these was in the 2011 reboot.
Sorry, but it looks like Babalities still aren’t making a comeback.
RELEASE DATE AND PRICE
Both Mortal Kombat 11 expansions are dropping on May 26th
Mortal Kombat 11’s new content is coming in not one, but two separate packages, out on May 26th.
The first is a free collection of Stage Fatalities, Friendships, and New Stages, all of which will be included in a free update released alongside Aftermath.
The second—and arguably most important—will be the paid content. Included is the new story, three new characters, and three new skin packs. Pricing varies depending on what you do or don’t already own: $39.99 for players who already bought Kombat Pack 1, $49.99 for both Aftermath and Kombat Pack 1, and a $59.99 version that comes with the base game and all of the above.
WHO’S NEXT?
It’s no secret that fans of Mortal Kombat have been spoiled with expansion packs ever since the release of Mortal Kombat (2011). It has become a tradition for Ed Boon—creator behind the classic fighting franchise—to tease fans with hints towards what might come in future DLC installments. So, even with a strong slew of content headed our way, a possibility remains that this isn’t the only announcement we’ll get. A fanboy can only dream.
Mortal Kombat 11 has experienced a torrent of success following its release. It easily topped the charts throughout the year and landed at the 5th spot for the best selling games of 2019. With well over five million units sold in its first week, it’s clear that this franchise still has a long future for all gamers to look forward to.
Do you think this is it? Or are we still in for more?
