Finish Him! “Mortal Kombat” is back and with the long-time debate on the violence and brutality it portrays subsided, the fatalities are more graphic and gory than ever. Being a long running and successful franchise, “Mortal Kombat X” has epitomised the brutal macabre gameplay and the mano a mano fighting format. Coming from a nostalgic and iconic game design, MKX has been able to appeal to an array of demographics. Despite this wide range of appeal, the game is once again rated “M” for mature as its revival has been defined by the elaborate and bloody defeats of one opponent to the other. With the game having several modes, you can choose to challenge a friend, play against the game’s AI, or venture into story mode.

   Whichever mode you choose, you will be tuning into stunning graphics and a nice range of characters. Playing through “story” mode is an enjoyable experience; the intricate storyline and visually interesting sequences add to the overall experience as you journey through the chapters. Despite “story” mode being a bit on the short side, it does not fail in delivering crisp and vivid visuals that look good, especially in the defeat sequences, and it has great cinematic backgrounds that bring the scene together. As for the controls, the mechanics for the game are very accurate and seem fairly balanced. Controlling the characters has proven to be smooth, apart from the slowing of pace at the end of a fight. Mechanics and controls of the game are relatively easy to pick up and are fun to experiment as there are many combos and moves to discover. Some parts of the game that have been found to be upsetting are that the difficulty mode against the AI seems to be poorly balanced, and, at times, medium difficulty will be fitting for the game and at other times it will be more like easy difficulty.

   Being a notable game compared to its predecessor, “Mortal Kombat 9,” “Mortal Kombat X” has smoother combat, vivid graphics, and a cleaner overall look. The variations of each fighter give a lot of extra variety and depth. Overall, the well-written and exciting story and the multiplayer mode make the game an overarching success.