[SPOILER] Everything about story mode. Pics, videos, discussion, etc.

Cryo said:
Smoke's MK9 ending turned up to be true (confirmed by Smoke himself at the beggining of MKX) so I think that any information of the past (events before said ending) revealed on endings is safe to be considered true.
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I feel like we've had endings previously that had stuff in the past that turned out to be non-canon, but I can't remember what they are right now. But yeah, this is a good guideline for the most part.
 
So, MKX clashes with the comics on Suchin's death, and how much Takeda knows about it. The comics have it that Takeda was in the house before Suchin was killed in a fight with some RD goons. MKX has it that Suchin was killed by Daegon himself, with Takeda not knowing his mother was murdered until Kenshi told him.
 
Snow said:
Does Jax die in Story mode? He stayed behind in the netherrealm to intercept D'vorah, but she arrives in Earthrealm. Then Shinnok says that the force in the Netherrealm will be neutralized.Then we don't hear anything from Jax after that.
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We don't. But I think not in MKX. But given the emphasis on his demise in his and Sonya's ladder ending (again, there's a chance for ladder endings to be non-canon, entirely), I think he might not be in the scene for the next game.

If, that is true, then it only validates my comment on wasted opportunities.
 
Galden said:
So, MKX clashes with the comics on Suchin's death. The comic has Takeda around when Suchin is killed in a fight with some RD goons. MKX has it that Suchin was killed by Daegon himself, with Takeda not knowing his mother was murdered until Kenshi told him.
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There's a slight clash, but not the way you outline it.

In the comics, Suchin had sent Takeda to the neighbours/next town and Kenshi found him there. He even remarked Suchin was 'smart' to have done that. She was murdered by RD goons.

In the game, Kenshi's ending implies it was Daegon personally who had killed Suchin. Might be true, because neither Kenshi nor Takeda were present to witness that.
 
Galden said:
So, MKX clashes with the comic on Suchin's death. The comics have it that Takeda was around when Suchin is killed in a fight with some RD goons. MKX has it that Suchin was killed by Daegon himself, with Takeda not knowing his mother was murdered until Kenshi told him.
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No, Takeda was very much not there. It was outright said in the comic that Suchin had sent him to a neighboring village before the Red Dragon arrived.

Also, I don't think they ever actually said Daegon killed her with his own hands. He was just pretty much responsible when he sent those goons after her.
 
Being a huge Sub-Zero fan, I have to say it's the most isolated from the all the other endings, especially considering the others seem to lean into each other and the main story in some way. But his ending does solidify his role as an Earthrealm protector who is a hero on his own terms when called upon so that's something at least. I don't think it is any way near his worst ending though, that place will always be MKD, now THAT was a huge WTF???
 
en-lumine said:
I'm confused about Jax's inclusion in the story-mode in general.

His and Sonya's ending, as non-canon as they might be, hint at the former's demise. From all of the story-mode, the most redundant chapter I particularly found, was Jax's (let's face it, Kenshi could have easily pulled off that chapter had NRS decided to put him in the storymode - but noo he had to get 'injured'/'blasted away' to let others shine, as usual -_-). Sub-zero's came close too, but the link-in with Scorpion at least added his worth to the story in general.

Why give him that much air-time if you might not want him to continue on anyways? I'm okay with him being on the roster in general, but I think NRS' approach for MKX did a great disservice to the newer characters in terms of their introductions, apart from the kids. The plot of the storymode, I personally thought, was overtly simplified (The comics are doing far better imo). Cheesy, but that's alright, it's MK and it was toned down a bit. I don't even mind Cassie beating the big bad, in the end..

But I was disappointed with the roster that got chapters in the storymode. There should have been at least three more chapters (Kenshi, Erron Black and Ferra/Tor OR Ermac) to develop the bad guys' side of the story as well. Overall, I'd give it a 6.5/10 - I'm sorry, I just see lots of wasted opportunities this time around, as compared to MK9.

Though I must add, D'vorah and Kotal Kahn were pulled off beautifully. Some say Kotal's stance as 'just another bad-guy' is overused and simplistic, but I think given his position, it was the most apt response. Realpolitik, as exhibited by an outworlder. Well done, indeed.

And D'vorah, of course, is as Machiavellian as they come. These, and the kids were perhaps the highlights of the storymode for me.
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Sigh. Alright, Jax haters, I'll take the bait and try to put a few things into perspective for you:

1. Jax serves as an added layer for Jacqui's growth. She is very proud of her father's accomplishments in the SF and thus, wants to follow in his footsteps. Furthermore, she wants to get revenge for what happened to him, mainly because of Ermac disfiguring him and Quan Chi controlling him. Jacqui speaking to Jax via device while he's in the Netherrealm shows that she still cares deeply for her father, despite the fact that he is a former revenant. This is further examined when Kung Jin makes a snarky comment about her father and she tells him off. If for no other reason, Jax is there to show you the similarities and differences between the two of them so fans can truly see that she is his daughter and will be the way he's survived in future games IF they choose not to bring him back in the following titles.

*Side note: After being defeated by Johnny, Revenant Jax harms the psyche of Sonya, which is one of the only times we really see a chink in Sonya's armor, as she seems really distraught by what has happened to her best friend. After Johnny convinces her it isn't him, she realizes what must be done in order to free him and the others and is able to get her head back in the game.

2. The focus of the game is the new team of heroes, who are SF. Jax, being the former CO, fits in perfectly. It really is a passing of the torch type of thing, though, because of the fact that the old guard is present but they mostly serve as filler to Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda, and Jin. For hardcore fans of the series, NRS had to give the originals their clout. This is the reason that Jax, who debuted in MKII, was not written off as being completely defeated after the events of the previous game. They had him come back and get revenge on the one who ruined his life, Quan Chi, by beating his ass and securing his arrest. This helps give Jax a sense of closure and shows no matter how much time he takes off, he's still a credible fighter. I'm sorry but no, Kenshi could not have "easily pulled off that chapter." Lastly, how silly would it be for Jacqui to be the only newcomer who's parent isn't in the story mode?

3. On a smaller note, Jax being in the game is connected with the Predator DLC. As I'm sure you know, he will be playing the part of Carl Weathers. NRS likely saw this as a way to really cash in on the guest character even more by giving players the option to play out the epic battle their own way.

Any single way you slice it, this game benefited from having Jax in it. Not sure how you figure having characters like him in it did the new characters a disservice, as each of them were given proper screen time, with an exception of Ferra/Torr. We see Kotal Kahn as a proud warrior, invested in protecting Outworld by any means necessary, complete with a flashback scene. We see D'Vorah as a cunning, traitorous opportunist and uncover her sadistic personality as she delights in the pain of others. Hell, we even learn that Erron Black is an Earthrealmer and completely loyal to Kotal Kahn because of the almighty dollar, not because he is a fan of democratic politics or particularly fond of him. What more were you looking for? The only thing they really didn't touch on that left something to be desired is the origin of Ferra/Torr.
 
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reikoiskahn said:
Sigh. Alright, Jax haters, I'll take the bait and try to put a few things into perspective for you:

1. Jax serves as an added layer for Jacqui's growth. She is very proud of her father's accomplishments in the SF and thus, wants to follow in his footsteps. Furthermore, she wants to get revenge for what happened to him, mainly because of Ermac disfiguring him and Quan Chi controlling him. Jacqui speaking to Jax via device while he's in the Netherrealm shows that she still cares deeply for her father, despite the fact that he is a former revenant. This is further examined when Kung Jin makes a snarky comment about her father and she tells him off. If for no other reason, Jax is there to show you the similarities and differences between the two of them so fans can truly see that she is his daughter and will be the way he's survived in future games IF they choose not to bring him back in the following titles.

*Side note: After being defeated by Johnny, Revenant Jax harms the psyche of Sonya, which is one of the only times we really see a chink in Sonya's armor, as she seems really distraught by what has happened to her best friend. After Johnny convinces her it isn't him, she realizes what must be done in order to free him and the others and is able to get her head back in the game.

2. The focus of the game is the new team of heroes, who are SF. Jax, being the former CO, fits in perfectly. It really is a passing of the torch type of thing, though, because of the fact that the old guard is present but they mostly serve as filler to Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda, and Jin. For hardcore fans of the series, NRS had to give the originals their clout. This is the reason that Jax, who debuted in MKII, was not written off as being completely defeated after the events of the previous game. They had him come back and get revenge on the one who ruined his life, Quan Chi, by beating his ass and securing his arrest. This helps give Jax a sense of closure and shows no matter how much time he takes off, he's still a credible fighter. I'm sorry but no, Kenshi could not have "easily pulled off that chapter." Lastly, how silly would it be for Jacqui to be the only newcomer who's parent isn't in the story mode?

3. On a smaller note, Jax being in the game is connected with the Predator DLC. As I'm sure you know, he will be playing the part of Carl Weathers. NRS likely saw this as a way to really cash in on the guest character even more by giving players the option to play out the epic battle their own way.

Any single way you slice it, this game benefited from having Jax in it. Not sure how you figure having characters like him in it did the new characters a disservice, as each of them were given proper screen time, with an exception of Ferra/Torr. We see Kotal Kahn as a proud warrior, invested in protecting Outworld by any means necessary, complete with a flashback scene. We see D'Vorah as a cunning, traitorous opportunist and uncover her sadistic personality as she delights in the pain of others. Hell, we even learn that Erron Black is an Earthrealmer and completely loyal to Kotal Kahn because of the almighty dollar, not because he is a fan of democratic politics or particularly fond of him. What more were you looking for? The only thing they really didn't touch on that left something to be desired is the origin of Ferra/Torr.
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With all due respect - my comment was on Jax's inclusion as a character with a chapter dedicated to him in the story-mode, not his overall inclusion in the game.

1. I agree. Have him in the storymode as others were. I have no qualms with that.

2. The part I bolded appeals to the flaw I was trying to point out in the first place. Firstly - I beg to differ. Kenshi's been working to dismantle the Red Dragon pretty much single-handedly in this new timeline. He's supposedly 'a special consultant', but is not divorced from the affairs of the SF in any manner. From training to execution, to leading SF squads in Johnny's chapter as well as Jax's. I don't see why he would fail, unless NRS are trying to overshadow him in someone else's favour (two blasts to the face, then silence pretty much prove that). Secondly, why is the same not applicable to Takeda (and Jin, by extension)?

Let me put it this way - on one hand, we have hints of a backstory hinted at in the comics - with Hanzo being 'freed' from Scorpion with Kenshi's help, the Sento being mysteriously broken with his ancestors possessing him. This, coupled with Takeda's abandonment issues. That screams intrigue to me, and am frankly baffled by this not being addressed in the game.

Compare this to Jax - who has been freed by Raiden from Quan Chi's control, then he became a farmer. He's Jacqui's dad, both have issues with his over-protection, but ultimately in his chapter, he is simply used to beat up the revenant deadbeats, and throw a punch at weakened Quan chi's face. Yes, it gives Jax closure - but in no way is this big enough to eclipse Kenshi entirely. IMO, that is just bad writing and/or roster management.

3. Not interested in DLC, so won't comment on that.

4. I've been saying from the start that 12 chapters does not cut it. 20, or at least 15 should have been included - the extras I set out in the previous post. While we did get insights into Kotal and D'vorah, as I duly noted, I personally believe we still should have seen more of Ermac, Kenshi, F/T and Erron Black. Hell, even Mileena, now that I think about it. Mortal Kombat is not an average fighting game, it has an entire universe as part of its story - and this game's storymode just didn't cut it for me. Too small, too simplistic and generally, appeals generally to too many older characters.
 
I stayed entirely spoiler free up until today, when I realized that the complete story mode was up on Youtube in HD. Cue binge watch. Now cue thoughts.

First of all, this story mode is infinitely better than MK9's, and way better than Injustice's. Second of all, I'm still left kinda disappointed. This post explains why perfectly:

PhantomCyrax said:
The first chapter was very cinematic with lengthy cutscenes and the other chapters Ive seen just dont have that cinematic and awesome feel that Johnnys first chapter has.
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Chapter 1, how fanfkintastic are you? Let me count the ways!

There's an involving QTE sequence with not one but TWO enemies (nothing like it ever happens again), there's some good character development for Johnny (not every chapter's protag gets that - I'm looking at you, Jacqui), there's a CRAPTON of setup for secondary characters (Raiden, Quan Chi, Shinnok, Fujin, Kenshi, all the Revenants), and there's a nice emotional beat at the end with Johnny and Sonya. Great. There are fights on three different stages (City, Woods, Jinsei) and one of those stages even has a non-standard variation (City has a war going on)! For context: all four of Kotal's, Jacqui's, and Sub-Zero's fights are on the same stage, and you can forget about any stage variations. Johnny's chapter moves fast and every single fight serves a purpose: Scorpion for great fan service and drama, Sub-Zero and Jax to establish Revenants and Johnny's desire to resurrect them, and introducing the Johnny/Sub-Zero and Sonya/Jax relationships, and Shinnok is important because obvious reasons.

No other chapter comes CLOSE in terms of quality.

Spoiler:
Sub-Zero's chapter, more entertaining than 90% of MK9 chapters, is UTTER TRASH compared to Johnny's. Did he really need to fight EVERY SINGLE newbie? Did Johnny Cage fight Nightwolf and Smoke? NO. Have Sub-Zero beat the shit out of Cassie, take the others out in a 30 second cinematic, and move on. We get the point. They're scrubs at this point, they don't deserve better. Instead, we're treated to four fights that tell the exact same story and don't progress the plot, have basically zero stakes for Sub-Zero because of how OP he is compared to the kids, and they're all on the same stage so there's no variety either. In what realm is that even comparable to Johnny Cage's 25 minute chapter? No QTEs, same stage, no variations, no stakes...

So many wasted opportunities. Sub-Zero should have had two fights with the kids max, and that would have left us room for an NPC Sektor fight in a flashback and allowed us to take care of Scorpion/Quan Chi business in another flashback, freeing up a fight in Scorpion's chapter so we could see his backstory with Kenshi.


Spoiler:
Kotal Kahn's chapter does a fantastic job of establishing him, but the entire freaking chapter is just Mileena's people trying to kill him next to a roadblock. Should that really take four fights again? The Kano fight makes sense, then a Mileena fight makes sense once the assassination attempt is really on and for great drama, but Tanya and Rain? Bugger off! That's what the cinematics are for. That frees up two fights, well whaddaya know, we never get a flashback to Kotal Kahn recruiting Reptile, Erron Black, and Ferra/Torr. How about, I don't know, showing those things? Or if not that, then how about just fleshing out the Civil War subplot?

Mileena is at once cooler than she's ever been, and a colossal missed opportunity. Only two chapters of the story are devoted to the Civil War (Kotal's and D'Vorah's). We have very little context about any of it, the political power struggle lasts for like one minute, basically every character involved except Kotal Kahn is a cardboard cutout, and the whole idea of Mileena being slowly killed by the amulet is just dropped on us 15 seconds before Mileena dies anyway, amulet or no amulet. Given that only two chapters relate to the Civil War, does it really make a ton of sense to devote 4/8 fights to Mileena's completely botched assassination attempt? Well, I really don't know that it does.


Spoiler:
Raiden's flashback seems to exist for the sole purpose of providing footage of "living" Kung Lao and Liu Kang to throw into trailers to keep the story a mystery. I'm sure NRS was trying to show how Raiden treated Liu and Kung like sons, but I'm not sure how fighting Baraka and D'Vorah in a plot completely unrelated to anything else in the game was meant to accomplish that.

Seriously. Raiden fights Baraka.

Just think about that.

In the 10th chapter, after Shinnok has already been released from his amulet, after Scorpion just finished exacting vengeance on Quan Chi, and we're trying to get hyped for Raiden vs. Shinnok...

Raiden... fights... Baraka.


Spoiler:
Fight vs Scorpion has zero stakes whatsoever, fight vs Kenshi has only emotional stakes, fights vs Reptile and Erron Black have some tiny physical stakes (very tiny; these guys aren't threats) but Takeda has absolutely no relationship to them whatsoever. Two fights on Destroyed City, two fights on Kove. Well, at least there was a stage variation...?


Spoiler:
Basically a non-character. She has no establishing flashbacks unlike Takeda and Kung Jin, nothing at all going for her except the romance subplot with Takeda. Four fights on the same stage, one of those fights has the barest hint of a rivalry (Ermac), one is just dumb (Kotal Kahn). No QTEs. Well, at least there was a stage variation...?


Rough order of chapters by quality (IMO and first impressions, of course):

Johnny Cage >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Scorpion >>>>>>> D'Vorah >>>>> Kotal Kahn >> Sonya >> Kung Jin >> Raiden > Jax > Cassie > Sub-Zero > Takeda > Jacqui

MKX is still a fantastic game, but it's hard not to feel like huge portions (Sub-Zero's backstory, Scorpion/Kenshi's backstory, Shinnok's return, and everything involving the Outworld Civil War) got rushed and shafted. Too bad.
 
Obviously, Shawn Kittlesen should be brought on-board for MK11 itself, instead of just the comics.

And after watching Shinnok's LM ending, I have my doubts. Shinnok was trying to awaken the One Being all along? Was OB using Shinnok like Onaga and Shao Kahn? If not, did Shinnok plan to float around after OB ate the other Elder Gods?
 
reikoiskahn said:
Sigh. Alright, Jax haters, I'll take the bait and try to put a few things into perspective for you:

1. Jax serves as an added layer for Jacqui's growth. She is very proud of her father's accomplishments in the SF and thus, wants to follow in his footsteps. Furthermore, she wants to get revenge for what happened to him, mainly because of Ermac disfiguring him and Quan Chi controlling him. Jacqui speaking to Jax via device while he's in the Netherrealm shows that she still cares deeply for her father, despite the fact that he is a former revenant. This is further examined when Kung Jin makes a snarky comment about her father and she tells him off. If for no other reason, Jax is there to show you the similarities and differences between the two of them so fans can truly see that she is his daughter and will be the way he's survived in future games IF they choose not to bring him back in the following titles.

*Side note: After being defeated by Johnny, Revenant Jax harms the psyche of Sonya, which is one of the only times we really see a chink in Sonya's armor, as she seems really distraught by what has happened to her best friend. After Johnny convinces her it isn't him, she realizes what must be done in order to free him and the others and is able to get her head back in the game.

2. The focus of the game is the new team of heroes, who are SF. Jax, being the former CO, fits in perfectly. It really is a passing of the torch type of thing, though, because of the fact that the old guard is present but they mostly serve as filler to Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda, and Jin. For hardcore fans of the series, NRS had to give the originals their clout. This is the reason that Jax, who debuted in MKII, was not written off as being completely defeated after the events of the previous game. They had him come back and get revenge on the one who ruined his life, Quan Chi, by beating his ass and securing his arrest. This helps give Jax a sense of closure and shows no matter how much time he takes off, he's still a credible fighter. I'm sorry but no, Kenshi could not have "easily pulled off that chapter." Lastly, how silly would it be for Jacqui to be the only newcomer who's parent isn't in the story mode?

3. On a smaller note, Jax being in the game is connected with the Predator DLC. As I'm sure you know, he will be playing the part of Carl Weathers. NRS likely saw this as a way to really cash in on the guest character even more by giving players the option to play out the epic battle their own way.

Any single way you slice it, this game benefited from having Jax in it. Not sure how you figure having characters like him in it did the new characters a disservice, as each of them were given proper screen time, with an exception of Ferra/Torr. We see Kotal Kahn as a proud warrior, invested in protecting Outworld by any means necessary, complete with a flashback scene. We see D'Vorah as a cunning, traitorous opportunist and uncover her sadistic personality as she delights in the pain of others. Hell, we even learn that Erron Black is an Earthrealmer and completely loyal to Kotal Kahn because of the almighty dollar, not because he is a fan of democratic politics or particularly fond of him. What more were you looking for? The only thing they really didn't touch on that left something to be desired is the origin of Ferra/Torr.
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773592.gif


1. Absoutely. No doubt.

2. Jax's chapter is one of the chapters that actually make sense.

3. Yeahhh. So impatient to play as the damn Carl Weathers skin. :cool:

Farmer Jax All Day. :laugh:

mortal_kombat_x__ios____jax__render_2__by_wyruzzah-d8p0zdg.png
 
you know NRS should hire both Tom Taylor and Shawn Kittlesen for MKx and Injustice 2.
Injustice is one of the best modern dc comic nowadays and MKX comic brought back alot of cool characters back and brought a great new lore for the franchise like the new Kamidogus and Erron,Blood Demon
 
Thehero14 said:
you know NRS should hire both Tom Taylor and Shawn Kittlesen for MKx and Injustice 2.
Injustice is one of the best modern dc comic nowadays and MKX comic brought back alot of cool characters back and brought a great new lore for the franchise like the new Kamidogus and Erron,Blood Demon
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While I really like Taylor and Kittlesen's work, writing a comic book story and a fighting game story aren't the same thing. In fighting games, you need to come up with lots and lots of fight set ups intersected in between by a few minutes of plot at most. Something you don't have to worry about when you're writing comic books.
 
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