| Mortal Kombat 13 | |
|---|---|
| File:Mortal Kombat 13 key art.png TBA | |
| Developer(s) | NetherRealm Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Warner Bros. Games |
| Director(s) | Ed Boon |
| Designer(s) | Paulo Garcia |
| Composer(s) | Wilbert Roget II |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Released | TBA, 2030 |
| Genre(s) | Fighting |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Series | Mortal Kombat |
| Platform(s) |
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Mortal Kombat 1 is a 2030 fighting game developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games. It is the thirteenth main installment in the Mortal Kombat series, and serves as its third reboot after 2011's Mortal Kombat. The game takes place after the events of 2023's Mortal Kombat 1. In TBA. In the follow-up expansion, TBA, TBA.
The game was released on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 6, Windows, and Xbox Series X2/S2 on September 19, 2030. Most versions of Mortal Kombat 13 received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise towards its visual fidelity, roster, new mechanics, microtransactions, story modes, and contrasting characterizations of its characters from previous entries in the franchise; conversely.
Gameplay[]
Mortal Kombat 13 features a story mode, online multiplayer with rollback netcode, and offline gameplay, as well as cross-play and cross-progression, a first in the series.
Fatal Blows, first introduced in Mortal Kombat 1, make a return. Like before, these can be triggered when a player's health drops below 30%. Additionally, the most significant attacks performed during the Fatal Blow are highlighted with effects like those seen in Mortal Kombat X's X-Ray moves. Also returning is the airborne combo system seen in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and the action spin-off Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. Returning as an additional finishing move is Animalities, first introduced in Mortal Kombat 2 and its updates Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat Trilogy and Mortal Kombat 1, which allow the player to morph into an animal and maul their opponent.
For single-player, the game features the return of the plot-driven Story Mode and the traditional form of Towers mode from the previous games, while introducing the addition of the seasonal Invasions mode, an online mode combining fighting mechanics with board game and role-playing game elements. The players are tasked with moving around the board while completing various challenges on each space they move to, earning rewards such as skins, in-game currency, or concept art for completing the challenges. Each Invasion season lasts around six weeks and has its own board and theme. For multiplayer, the versus modes include Local mode to play a match on the same console, Online mode to play against opponents all over the world, and Tournament mode to host a tournament with a unified rule set for the matches.
Plot[]
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Characters[]
- Main article: Characters of the Mortal Kombat series
The base roster of Mortal Kombat 1 features TBA playable characters. An additional character, Shang Tsung, was offered as a pre-order bonus. Two "Kombat Packs" were subsequently released, each with six new playable characters, 3 of them being guest characters. The first pack also includes a skin for Johnny Cage featuring the likeness and voice of Jean-Claude Van Damme. The second pack was released with the introduction of the "TBA" expansion, featuring three reimagined original characters made for the story mode, in addition to three guest characters released later. Characters listed in italics are guest characters.
| Base Roster | Kombat Pack 1 | TBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Development[]
After ceasing support for Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), NetherRealm Studios disclosed that it was working on a new project in July 2028. Johnny Cage voice actor Andrew Bowen indicated that the 13th installment was in development in a hastily deleted tweet. In February 2030, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO TBA announced during a 2031 fourth-quarter earnings call that a twelfth installment in the series was set to be released later in that year.
On May 18, 2030, NetherRealm Studios announced Mortal Kombat 13 with a release date of September 19, 2030. NetherRealm Studios announced that those who preorder any version of the game for the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Series X2/S2 would receive access to a beta in August, and after the game launches, NetherRealm Studios would provide cross-platform play and cross-progression. The PlayStation 6 and Xbox Series X2/S2 versions of the game were developed by NetherRealm Studios, the Windows version by QLOC, and the Nintendo Switch 2 version by Shiver Entertainment (who previously developed the Nintendo Switch port for Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat 1).
Marketing[]
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Release[]
Mortal Kombat 13 was released for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 6, Windows, and Xbox Series X2/S2 on TBA, 2030, for those who have ordered the game's Kollector's Edition and Premium Edition, while purchasers of the Standard Edition were able to access the game on TBA, 2030.
Downloadable content[]
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On May 14, 2032, NetherRealm Studios released Mortal Kombat 13: Definitive Edition, a version containing all post-launch content, including Kombat Pack 1 and Kombat Pack 2, the "TBA" story expansion, and previously released pre-order and additional cosmetic items. The development team subsequently confirmed that, while they would be continuing to support the game, no further DLC characters or story chapters were planned, instead shifting their focus to their next project.
Reception[]
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (PC) 82/100 (PS5) 83/100 (XSXS) 84/100 |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Destructoid | 8/10 |
| Eurogamer | 3/5 |
| Game Informer | 9/10 |
| GameSpot | 8/10 |
| GamesRadar+ | 5/5 |
| Hardcore Gamer | 3.5/5 |
| IGN | 8/10 (NS) 3/10 |
| Jeuxvideo.com | 16/20 |
| Nintendo Life | (NS) 4/10 |
| PC Gamer (US) | 70/100 |
| PCGamesN | 8/10 |
| PCMag | 4.5/5 |
| Push Square | 7/10 |
| Shacknews | 9/10 |
| TouchArcade | 3.5/5 |
| VG247 | 4/5 |
| VideoGamer.com | 9/10 |
Mortal Kombat 13 received "generally favorable reviews" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic. TBA% of critics recommended the game on review aggregator OpenCritic.
Mitchell Saltzman of IGN, who had given the version on PlayStation 6 an TBA out of 10, gave the Switch port a TBA, stating, "There's a hint of a great fighting game still peeking through the blurry backgrounds, but its horrendous load times, inconsistent framerate, muddy visuals, and plethora of bugs make the Switch version an altogether aggravating way to play what is a great fighting game on other platforms."
Sales[]
On January 27, 2031, Warner Bros. Games announced that Mortal Kombat 13 had sold TBA units. By August 2031, the game had sold more than TBA copies. It was the eighth best-selling video game in the US in 2030. By January 2032, it was reported that the game has surpassed the sales number of TBA copies. As of August 2032, the game has sold over TBA copies.
Accolades[]
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | Golden Joystick Awards | Best Multiplayer Game | Pending |
| Best Game Trailer ("TBA" trailer) | Pending | ||
| The Game Awards 2030 | Best Fighting Game | Pending | |
| Innovation in Accessibility | Pending | ||
| Equinox Awards 2030 | Best Multiplayer Game | Pending | |
| Best Acting (Portuguese) (Marcelo Salsicha - Johnny Cage) | Pending | ||
| 2031 | Game Audio Network Guild Awards | Audio of the Year | Pending |
| Best Audio Mix | Pending | ||
| Best Cinematic & Cut Scene Audio | Pending | ||
| Best Main Theme | Pending | ||
| Best Original Song | Pending | ||
| Best Original Soundtrack Album | Pending | ||
| Music of the Year | Pending | ||
| Sound Design of the Year | Pending | ||
| 33rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards | Fighting Game of the Year | Pending | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Animation | Pending | ||
| 29th Visual Effects Society Awards | Outstanding Visual Effects in a Real-Time Project | Pending | |
| 24th Golden Trailer Awards | Best Video Game Trailer ("Answer the Call" trailer) | Pending | |
| National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR) Awards 2030 | Game, Fighting | Pending | |
| Can I Play That Awards 2030 | Barrier Breaker (NetherRealm Studios) | Pending | |
| AbilityPoints Diamond Award | Pending | ||
| 2032 | 35th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards | Fighting Game of the Year (TBA) | Pending |
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