NRS doesn't use trendy characters though. They use icons. If they wanted to follow trends, Shaggy would be in MK11. But the characters they chose are timeless classics. Predator's best movie came out thirty years ago, but he's still a science fiction/ action icon.
My issue with guest characters (though I have admitted that if they had Spawn I might get it.) is that I understand if the game is built around them. Like Super Smash Bros. It is pretty much the celebrity brawl between Nintendo characters from different games.
Mortal Kombat only started this in 2011 with MK9 by introducing Kratos and Freddie Krueger. Before that, the game didn't need any guests. The name alone spelt popularity. It stood no problem, on its own two legs. You say the name and everyone and their mom knows Mortal Kombat. So why bring the freaking action chars? They are popular! They are icons! Timeless classics! Yeah, sounds like that one game that literally was the sole reason for video game rating system and caused massive controversy in 90s. I just can't put my finger on the name... I think it was something with fighting? Death? Oh yeah. Mortal Kombat! Fighting game classic that stood on its own for over 2 decades. The game that made every arcade owner happy.
I think if they wanted to make action/horror movie characters fight, they can just make their own Super Smash style game, instead of riding on a game, that is supposed to have its own identity.
But I know that won't happen. They will introduce at least 3 new guest chars and waste those spots, instead of just bringing native characters and fleshing out its own Lore. Maybe that's why they make their stories, so "Hollywood cliche"? Hmmm. They consider their own game lore nothing, but a cheap hollywood flick. Well, their game, their property, their creation.
I am just waiting for Frost. They give a female cryomancer, that isn't made out of Ice Blocks, a mummy, a zombie or a robot (I mean, making her a cyborg would be really f$cking cruel, but I don't think they will do that. They f$cked me enough.), and I will be fine.
Maybe this MK11 will be the first one I can enjoy in peace? If I won't have everything unlocked from the start, game will work no issue day one, and Frost will at least look decent and won't be some retarded ice construct/zombie/robot, I will ignore all the guest chars and just enjoy the game. Third time's a charm, after all. Or so they say.