This thread is ridiculous.
Seriously, it is.
I think my biggest problem is this simple truth:
KUNG LAO NEVER WAS AND NEVER WILL BE THE REASON FOR ANY MORTAL KOMBAT GAME FAILURE.
It is just so stupid to say otherwise. Stupid and very much short sighted.
Let us try to analyze rationally (as hard as this task is) the Kung-Haters case:
1. Not enough new characters -
This is so much of a speculation, and it is unbased one. We already revealed 4 new characters. It was confirmed that about half the cast is new. The inclusion of Kung Lao IS NOT on the expanse of new character. It is on the expanse of a veteran.
And guess what, Post MK3? There are not many good ones. or popular or unique ones. Definitely when compared to one of the most of the popular characters in the reboot.
2. Kung Lao should not return because he is dead. And resurrections annihilate the story -
Ok, few things here.
I will challenge anyone which cklaims that the story of Mortal Kombat is something to be proud of. It has more story than most fighting games and I agree that the last installment had decent story mode. Tht being said, the entire story is not just steeped in fantasy. Resurrections, magic spells, souls of fighters coming back to battle are all recurring theme in the story. Scorpion story is one of resurrection, Shang Tsung, Sindel, Soul made Ermac... And those who claim that resurrections destroy the story, I guess you hate all of Mortal Kombat story then. There is not a single one which brought somehow someone from the dead. Seriously, all after MK2, the number and ways of resurrections has rocketed. Mortal Kombat, the successful reboot had some as well. Or is it just me which remembers Bi Han head being carried by Scorpion??? The same Scorpion which was killed years earlier??? Are those "Shit Stories"? Is their resurrection hurting the story? Is it "The first step towards Armageddon"???
Guys, we are talking "Mortal Kombat" here. This is the same game which treats death as casual and even humorous happenstance. Did you know that since day 1 of the franchise you can click some code and then perform certain move in the end of the battle. Flalities, Falitaties... Something like that. And after performing it, the winner kills the opponent? Usually in very determined way, like burning him to ashes or decapitation. And guess what, even after this was performed during the game, the same "dead" opponent would team up with a second one and both will come back for a rematch? And this is in the game since DAY 1. This is the game you claim should have Perma - Deaths? Have you been paying attention at all to what was in the game since the beginning???
3. "The first step towards Armageddon" -
This is just laughable. Really. More than anything, those claims sound like sort of PSTD. MK was really shitty not so long ago that every nitpick you dont like about the game sends you towards the memories. And it all seems so "Logical" as well. Yes, the problem with Armageddon was resurrections. Only thing wrong with it. And Kung Lao as well. We needed some Mokap clones. This was what Armageddon needed.
REALITY CHECK ladies and Gentlemen. MK Armageddon did have shit story, but shit story did not create the failure. It was the half assed gameplay. It was the non baked characters. It was the stupid idea of removing specific fatalities from the game. And even if you look at the story, the least you should worry about is resurrections. It wasnt even a retread like some of you keep saying. It was just bland as the color grey. "There is a pyramid. And now everyone are killing each other to reach the top" This is the premise of that turd. And you speak about resurrections? There are not even registered after this bland grey horse shit.
4. Kung Lao does not contribute to the story -
Than who does? really. You never even learned what the story was about and you claim that his inclusion does not advance the story you know next to nothing about. Here is a simple hypothesis which claims otherwise. Earth needs White Lotus people. This is one of the main factions so it should be in the story. Now, in the story, there were two white lotus members. Both are dead. One of the deaths was essential to the former game plot. It moved it. It was necvessary. It was probably the best part of it. So, even if ot will be reversed, I will not reverse it in the story all the way to the final act.
Kung Lao's death on the other hand was simple "shock value". Or just a way to show that Shao Khan is dangerous. He wasnt even in the game that much. If there is a character which should represent the white lotus and be its face at this new age, it is Kung Lao. Liu Kang is essentially what you fear "the series not moving forwared and removing iconic and important events from MK9". That is all you have. What? new character that nobody gives a rat's ass about? Or maybe your best idea is Kai? Let me tellyou something about Kai.
Nobody cares. Very few even remember.The casuals which bring the money want the guy with the hat, not the unknown from the 3d game which introduced Jarek. (And then brought Kung Lao in for sales...)
5. It should be Great Kung Lao from the past -
This is the most laughable. Really. You want to undo one of the most iconic deaths in the MK story. The most important one actually. In order to keep unnecessary death for shock value in the middle of the previous entry? You probably thing that bringing Uncle Ben back for Spiderman and both of Bruce Wayne parents is a great idea as well. If these are your ideas, you should never complain about stories. Ever.
The characters which died in the last entry are the less popular ones
You know, I am huge fan of both Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, so I look at fan reaction to them all the timr. Those are definitely not the most popular in the franchise. Hell, Kitana is more popular than Sonya and Sub Zero (any of the brothers) just steamrolls above anyone who isnt Scorpion in popularity. How many times was Sub Zero Killed last story? I think 3 times.
In one game.
That is some anti zero sentiment right there.
To Conclude
Look, I am not sure where many of you are coming from. How many come from pure hate or disappointment. How many hate Kung Lao, wanted someone else to be revealed or try to make the game look bad no matter what. Maybe you do really belive what you say. If that is the case, just try to be more objective about this. Look at the whole picture, not at the nuggets you are dissapointed from. I thing that more that this negativity will affect anyone, it will mostly make you feel bad even if the game is enjoyable.
Relax and let the dev continue. I am sure that you will find a lot new and refreshing and interesting in the game. Yes, it was not revealed yet. But that makes the anticipation more exciting isnt it?
Salute.