NetherRealm Studios’ Mortal Kombat 11 recently celebrated its first anniversary, and the developers even teased that more content was on the way for the evolving fighting game. Now, Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath has been revealed, and it’s the first expansion of its kind for the franchise. In addition to adding three new fighters–including the next guest character RoboCop–it also includes new stages, stage fatalities and friendships, and, unexpectedly, more story content.
Releasing on May 26 for PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and Stadia, Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath will mark the beginning of year two content for NetherRealm’s fighting game. (You can check out a new Aftermath gameplay trailer here.) For the first time in the series, Mortal Kombat will see an expansion to the game’s existing main story, which will bring recurring antagonist Shang Tsung to the forefront. Set immediately after MK11’s conclusion, which saw Liu Kang ascend to Godhood and defeat Kronika, he and Raiden seek to create a new and better timeline for all realms. However, Shang Tsung and his allies Nightwolf and Fujin intervene, revealing a greater threat is at play.
The new epilogue storyline for Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath will introduce much of the new content coming to MK11, which includes revisits to classic stages like MK2’s Dead Pool and MK3’s Soul Chamber. In addition, Aftermath will bring back stage fatalities and friendships, which will end grotesque matches on a much lighter note. Friendships have been absent from the series since 1997’s Mortal Kombat Trilogy, so this is the first time in over 20 years that the alternate finishing move has been in a Mortal Kombat game. While these new additions will arrive with Aftermath, the new stages and friendships will be available for all players later as a free update.
Aftermath will also bring back classic fighters like the wind god Fujin and the Shokan warrior Sheeva, who’ve been absent from the roster for quite sometime. While both characters have made brief appearances in the last two games, they’re playable once again in Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. Each will have a significant role in the new story missions, which will reveal where their allegiances truly lie, and who they’ll come into conflict with.
Continuing with the tradition of introducing guest characters–with previous MK11 guests being Spawn, The Joker, and The Terminator–Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath will see the arrival of the first guest character for year two: Detroit’s own cyborg police officer, RoboCop. Originally from the hyper-violent 1987 action-film directed by Paul Verhoeven, RoboCop is a well-armed and immensely powerful action-hero, which makes him an excellent fit for MK. Though details are scarce on how he’ll fight, the original film’s actor Peter Weller will reprise the role for his appearance in MK11, for complete authenticity.
For newcomers looking to jump into Mortal Kombat 11’s new content, an Aftermath Kollection will be available for purchase. This will include all existing DLC characters and skins for $60. Current owners of Mortal Kombat 11 and the original Kombat Pack, can upgrade to the Aftermath expansion for $40, while owners of the base game can purchase the Aftermath + Kombat Pack bundle for $50. See our Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath pre-order guide for more details on the expansion’s pre-order bonuses and purchase options.
In our review of Mortal Kombat 11, senior editor Edmond Tran stated: “MK11 isn’t just a sequel for series fans and NetherRealm devotees, it’s a gateway into the realm of fighting games for anyone who has a passing interest in watching ruthless warriors beat each other silly. Streamlined mechanics keep the act of fighting furiously exciting no matter what your skill level, and comprehensive tutorials encourage you to dig into the nitty-gritty. There’s a diverse roster of interesting characters and playstyles, and the story mode is an entertaining romp. The randomization of Krypt rewards and the odd issue with the game’s always-online nature can occasionally chip away at your patience, but Mortal Kombat 11 absolutely hits where it matters.”
For more on Mortal Kombat 11 and the Aftermath Expansion, be sure to check back with us at GameSpot.
Source: Read Full Article