Almost Komplete
HIGH It’s another reason to dive back into MK11!
LOW Spawn. (Sorry, I’m just not a fan.)
WTF Rambo?
On November 17th, NetherRealm Studios and WB Games released a new package containing Mortal Kombat 11 along with almost all of the add-on content currently available.
This review covers only the Ultimate package and associated content. For an in-depth look at the core game, please see my full review here.
For those who don’t want to click that link, I’ll summarize by saying MK11 is fantastic – the fighting is tight, there are loads of options to customize the characters, and the story mode is a wild ride. Basically, everything has been polished to a diamond sheen and it’s tough to find fault with any part of it, except perhaps for the monetized aspects and “Konsumable” item nonsense that I find easy enough to ignore. It’s a great experience overall, and I think it’s debatably the best that MK has ever been.
So, what does the Ultimate package offer? For those who haven’t gotten into MK11 yet, this collection offers the base content (37 characters and all modes), all 12 DLC characters, the Aftermath story expansion and mini-campaign, and a bunch of skins and various doodads. The asking price is $60, which is basically the same as paying full price for the core game and then getting all of the bonus stuff since it released for free – a great deal for newcomers!
What’s not included? New skins featuring likenesses of three characters from the 1995 film adaptation ($6) and it’s always possible that more DLC is coming. Honestly, it’s tough to keep track of it all.
Of course, there are plenty of people who have already bought MK11 in one form or another since it dropped more than a year ago, so players who just want the newest stuff — Kombat Pack 2 including new fighters Mileena, Rain and (checks notes) yes, John Rambo as portrayed by Sylvester Stallone — can pick it up for $15.
So, about these new kombatants. I was thinking that Mileena might be my favorite before I dug in, but that wasn’t the case. She’s solid enough and stabbing people in the face a million times after a sneaky grab is a laugh, but I was more impressed with both Rain and Rambo. Rain’s moves are all water-based, and summoning a tidal wave or enveloping enemies in a ball of water is great.
As far as Rambo goes, I was fully prepared for him to be a dud in terms of mechanics after Robocop (in the last DLC update) was fairly disappointing, but he plays both surprisingly well and surprisingly true to the films. Seeing him pop up from under bush camouflage is both ridiculous and awesome, and his array of trap-based moves are excellent.
One final note – since we’re now transitioning into the new generation of consoles, players will be happy to know that anyone who already owns the game on PS4 or Xbox One will be able to download the PS5/XBX version for free, and the game supports cross-play between all platforms, so there should never be a lack of online competition for those who want it.
I’ve gone on record several times to say that Mortal Kombat 11 is a fantastic game, and this Ultimate package is a fantastic deal. If there’s anyone out there still curious but hasn’t yet taken the plunge, there’s no better time.
Disclosures: This game is developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by WB Games. It is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, XBO, XBX, and Switch. This copy of the content was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the PS4. Approximately 3 hours of play were devoted to the new characters, and the story mode was previously completed.
Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated M and contains Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language. The official ESRB description is as follows: This is a fighting game in which players engage in one-on-one battles against characters from the Mortal Kombat universe. Players punch, kick, throw, and use special attacks (e.g., guns; blasts of fire, ice, or lightning; bladed weapons) to drain opponents’ life meters. Battles are highlighted by screams of pain, realistic gunfire, and exaggerated impact sounds; large blood-splatter effects occur frequently. Some attacks are depicted with slow-motion x-ray views of characters’ bones shattering. Each character can perform various finishing moves (Fatalities, Brutalities) after an opponent is defeated; these over-the-top moves can result in characters being dismembered, decapitated, and mutilated. Instances of intense violence include a character’s face and skull torn off; a character ripped in half leaving entrails exposed; a character cut into pieces by a hat blade; a character’s spine and head ripped from its body. The words “f**k,” “sh*t,” and “a*shole” appear in the dialogue.
Colorblind Modes: yes, there are three colorblind modes available in the options – tritanopia, protanopia and deuteranopia.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: While there are sound cues that accompany certain moves, the game runs at such speed that I never found it helpful to listen for the cues and would instead focus on the visual information. I also played it with the sound muted and had no issues. All dialogue is subtitled and the text size is not adjustable. This game is fully accessible.
Remappable Controls: Yes, this game offers fully remappable controls.
Transformers fan. MOTU stan. Black Lives Matter, pro-LGBTQIA. Anti-fascist.
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