Towards all odds, Mortal Kombat 11 turned out fairly nicely on the Nintendo Swap. Like many ports from the PS4 and Xbox One, there was at all times a priority that Netherrealm Studio’s cinematic fighter wouldn’t be capable of lower it on Nintendo’s hybrid console. Nonetheless, with 60fps efficiency and all of the content material you can presumably need, it proved to be a more-than-competent choice for Swap house owners.
Its direct sequel and semi-reboot, Mortal Kombat 1, goals to crank every little thing up a few notches, boasting gorgeous visuals and an expanded fight system that allows you to name in further ‘Kameo’ fighters to help you in battle. After the gameplay reveal at Summer season Sport Fest, we managed to go hands-on with Netherrealm’s newest effort for roughly half-hour and got here away completely gobsmacked. And, actually? It makes us nervous in regards to the Swap model.
The model we performed at Summer season Sport Fest ran on PS5. We poked and prodded Netherrealm for info on how the Swap port goes, however probably the most the group is ready to say proper now could be that growth is “progressing nicely”.
The very first thing that struck us with Mortal Kombat 1 was simply how slick the entire expertise was. After selecting your fighter from a number of Sub-Zero, Kitana, Lui Kang, and Kenshi (with an extra 4 Kameo characters), there’s a quick transition display throughout which your two chosen characters will face off in opposition to each other earlier than the atmosphere round you masses in. It’s seamless and makes the entire expertise really feel extremely easy. As well as, in fact, your characters can even work together with each other in line with how they relate on the earth of Mortal Kombat, including an excellent sense of narrative weight to the upcoming struggle.
Gameplay, predictably, feels similar to Mortal Kombat 11, however the improved this-gen visuals make every little thing really feel infinitely extra cinematic and bombastic. Punches land with absurd weight and you may see particular person droplets of blood fly by the air earlier than touchdown on the bottom, drenching the atmosphere in scarlet. Add within the gorgeous environments with lovely sunsets and detailed set items, and also you’ve bought a combating sport that not solely rivals the likes of Road Fighter 6, however could also be much more lovely.
Kameo fighters introduce an added layer to the already remarkably deep combating mechanics, however you needn’t fear, as calling them in could be very simple. Merely faucet or maintain down ‘R1’ (which is able to presumably translate to ‘R’ on the Swap) and your Kameo character will leap into battle and carry out one in every of their signature strikes. You may hyperlink these in together with your predominant character’s transfer set to carry out a slick combo, or just use your Kameo character to offer your self some respiratory room should you’re getting trapped in a nook.
Deadly Blows additionally make a much-appreciated return, and what’s significantly nice is that you could rope in your Kameo character to help you right here, too. It makes the Deadly Blow sequences, which have been already splendidly cinematic, rather more impactful.
After all, it wouldn’t be Mortal Kombat with out the long-lasting Fatalities, and we’re happy to say that these are simply as ugly as ever and simply as simple to drag off. Lui Kang’s signature Fatality can be instantly recognisable to anybody who watched the debut trailer for Mortal Kombat 1, however the different characters’ sequences are simply as memorable. When you’re not content material with utilizing your individual character’s Fatality, you’ll be able to usher in your Kameo character with a easy mixture of Up, Up, and ‘R1’. Your personal fighter will step apart with a smirk whereas your Kameo character unleashes hell in your opponent.
Over time, Netherrealm has confirmed itself to be probably the most prestigious combating builders round, and if our 30-minute’ session with Mortal Kombat 1 is something to go by, the studio goes from power to power. With that in thoughts, our concern concerning how the sport will maintain up on the Swap is simple. It is a important step up from Mortal Kombat 11 by way of visuals, presentation, and depth, and because the prior sport already made some fairly heavy compromises on Nintendo’s platform, we marvel simply how drastic the visible cutbacks will have to be on Swap to maintain this factor working at a gradual clip. All we are able to do is hope Netherrealm delivers one thing approaching the usual of its earlier Swap model.
Fingers crossed.
Mortal Kombat 1 is scheduled for launch on nineteenth September. How do you assume it can maintain up on Swap? Are you trying ahead to enjoying it? Recover from right here and tell us.
Nintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into an excellent horror ebook whereas nursing a stunning cup of tea. He additionally enjoys lengthy walks and listens to every little thing from Motorhead to BB King.
