Summary
Mortal Kombat 1has been out for a few months now and has paved the way forfuture NetherRealm gamesin a fantastic way. The new Kameo system has been a fun way to include characters that don’t get featured too often, such as Darrius and Sareena. Moreover, it has led to making the core gameplay ofMortal Kombat 1a lot more in-depth and intricate. Players can pick and choose Kameos for every Kombatant according to their strengths and weaknesses, and switch them around for difficult matchups.
MK1’sstory was great too, and the new hinted expansion promises even more. Coupled with this are incredible visuals, solid customization, and great stages. However, despite all of these great features, some basic issues hold the game back. Some of these improvements could help makeMK1one of the best games in the current fighting game generation.
6Nintendo Switch Optimization
The game’s Switch version has struggled from day 1
The biggest problem withMK1,and one that should be a priority for the developers to improve, is how the game handles on the Nintendo Switch. From laggy gameplay to frame drops, these optimization issues make the game a chore to play, which is not something ideal for a fighting game, especially a game likeMK1that has made huge gameplay overhauls and improvements.
Beyond the gameplay issues, the Nintendo Switch version is also lacking in the graphics department, and most importantly, has tons of bugs and glitches. This leads to goofy and hilarious bugs that, while funny in a YouTube short, can get tedious to live with as a regular occurence. Solving the optimization of the game on the Switch is definitely the biggest improvement the game needs.
5Balance
The Kameo system has already turned out a few OP team combinations
MK1on release was arguably one of the more balanced competitive fighting games. Most pros and casual fans alike felt that, with the addition of the Kameo system,most characters and playstyles were solidand workable. However, some Kameo and Kombatant combinations can get way too oppressive (we’re looking at Johnny Cage) and definitely need a few tweaks.
While adjusting and balancing in this game would be extremely difficult with the inclusion of the Kameo system, many players feel the approach taken is too boring or simple. Rather than nerfing the likes of Raiden and Baraka, a better solution would be to bring other Kombatants and Kameos up to par. Sub Zero, Scorpion, and Nitara could especially do with some help.
4Single-Player Content
MK1 is in desperate need of some quality-of-life fixes to its single-player modes
With all credit to NetherRealm Studios, recent updates have shown that they have been working hard on the single-player content forMK1. Lots of quality-of-life changes have been brought forward and the overall system has definitely been streamlined. Hopefully, there’sa lot more to come.
Coming off ofInjustice 2andMK11however, there are still some areas for improvement. Some of the Invasion Mode towers can have frustrating quirks. Moreover, it is difficult to identifyhow to unlock a particular gear piece, skin, or color for characters. It is even difficult to identify what loot is still available in the Shrine and what Brutalities can be unlocked. Some of these adjustments could go a long way into improving the game. Especially the addition of anMK11-style Krypt.
3Online System Refinements
From connectivity issues and blank screens to a lack of modes, the online systems could use some polish
This would be another major improvement that would bringMK1in direct competition withStreet Fighter 6as one of the best fighting games out there. Right now, players are experiencing connectivity issues, the likes of which were not a problem inMK11orMKX, as well as a blank screen of death.
Moreover, there is a lack of online game modes and lobbies beyond the Kombat League, which makes the multiplayer feel emptier than previous games. Similarly,MK1could do with letting players practice while waiting for matches in queue, and of course, shorter Kombat League seasons might keep fans coming back frequently for more rewards. Overall, these are minor issues, but once rectified, they would improve the online experience.
2Quality-Of-Life Issues
A few tweaks could make many of the game modes a lot more appealing
As mentioned earlier,MK1is an amazing game; the core gameplay loop is incredible, but unfortunately, it suffers from a few tertiary issues holding it back. While many QoL changes have been mentioned already, some others to highlight would be letting player 2 use player 1’s gear, available skins when playing local multiplayer, and even making Invasions Mode more intuitive, rather thanrelying on cryptic hints.
Making the Shrine and the online shop more intuitive, and making some of the premium skins more accessible through in-game challenges would be great for a multitude of reasons. Not only would it improve the overall game quality, but it would also be rewarding for players and motivate them to grind the game even more.
1Kameos
Every update has led to one Kameo character being superior to the rest
The Kameo system has by and large been a major success, and it is exciting to see how this feature develops throughoutMK1’slife cycleand into future installments. However, it is clear that the Kameo balance has been somewhat troubled.
Nearly every big update has been followed up with one Kameo head and shoulders above the rest. It started with Cyrax, followed by Kung Lao, and now Stryker. This can make the meta feel boring and stale. One would hope the cool and under-used Kameos get buffed up to the meta. Seeing more of the likes of Shujinko, Frost, and Sektor would be great. The recent Motaro changes are a great blueprint to follow.
