The overall atmoshpere of the game has always drawn me in... this includes the story, character design, and level design. I always felt like most of this took a step back when everything went 3D, but it's back BIG TIME with the first high def MK. I'm back to just loving the characters and every new stage that I see. Just awesome overall.
The gameplay has always been good enough because I'm not a hard core fighting fan. After playing the demo I think the fighting engine is top notch so the gameplay will definitely be right up there with everything else now!!!!