Limited-time deal: Brutal fighting game drops from $50 to $5 in Steam sale
First released in 1992, Mortal Kombat is one of the most iconic fighting game franchises, notorious for its extreme brutality. Following the 2023 reboot Mortal Kombat 1, Mortal Kombat 11 remains the latest main installment. Developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, it originally launched in April 2019.
The story picks up after the events of Mortal Kombat X, introducing a new threat: Kronika, the Guardian of Time. Determined to erase the chaos caused by Raiden, the God of Thunder and a central figure in the series, she manipulates timelines, bringing iconic characters face-to-face with their younger selves. One of Mortal Kombat 11's standout features is its cinematic storytelling, seamlessly weaving intense battles into a visually stunning narrative.
With a roster of over 30 fighters, Mortal Kombat 11 features classics like Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero and Liu Kang alongside newcomers like Cetrion and Geras. The game sticks to the proven 2.5D combat system of its predecessors but refines the mechanics with a revamped Meter System that distinctly separates offense and defense. A new addition is Fatal Blows, powerful special attacks that can be unleashed when a fighter’s health drops to a critical level. The game also introduces an in-depth customization system, allowing players to personalize characters with unique skins, gear and abilities.
Warning – brutal content: Mortal Kombat 11 is infamous for its gruesome fatalities, showcasing shattered bones, torn organs and severed limbs in graphic detail. If you're squeamish about blood, this might not be the game for you – but there is an option to tone it down. The reduced gore mode minimizes blood effects and softens the splatter, making the violence slightly less intense.
Successful presentation, but criticism for excessive grind
In the German magazine GameStar’s review, Mortal Kombat 11 scored an impressive 88, earning praise for its detailed arenas, high-quality character models and well-crafted soundtrack. The gameplay is considered beginner-friendly while still offering enough depth for seasoned players. Criticism mainly focused on technical issues, including fluctuating FPS and fatalities locked at 30 FPS. Some challenges were also deemed unfair, such as excessively difficult towers and overpowered Fatal Blows.
One of the biggest criticisms of Mortal Kombat 11 is its reliance on microtransactions and excessive grinding, which slow down progress unless players spend real money. Combined with technical issues, this led to a low user score of 3.5 on Metacritic. Critics, however, were far more positive, giving the game a Metascore of 82. Reviews on Steam are also strong – at the time of research, the 2.5D fighter had nearly 78,000 reviews, with 86% being positive.
90% discount on Steam
During the Steam Spring Sale, running until March 20, Mortal Kombat 11 is available at a 90% discount, reducing its price from $50 to $5. The Ultimate Edition, which includes an additional story campaign and numerous extra fighters, is also discounted by 85%, bringing the price down from $60 to approximately $9.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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