Mortal Kombat 11 is a 2.5D fighting game, just like Mortal Kombat X before it, but they're adding some new twists to the gameplay in this latest bloodbath. Along with series staples fatalities and brutalities, there are some new and gruesome ways to dispatch your foes, like Fatal and Krushing Blows. Fatal Blows are similar to the X-Ray mechanic introduced in Mortal Kombat X, which deal large amounts of damage, but unlike X-Ray moves, you can only unleash a Fatal blow when your opponent's health is below 30%, and if you miss, good luck; you can only attempt a fatal blow once a match.
Krushing Blows are a cinematic variation of a given special move, triggered when certain requirements are met, much like Brutalities in the previous game. They can do extra damage, leave your opponent open for follow up attacks that otherwise wouldn't be available to you or even do damage over time. A Krushing blow will shatter faces, destroy ribcages and other gory injuries, provided hidden requirements are met, like combos over ten hits, executing attacks at a distance (think Scopion's harpoon yanking you all the way across the screen for an elbow to the face) and others.
Also new to the series is the Flawless Block mechanic, which opens up an attack window after successfully blocking your enemy's attack with precise timing. There's also a new Gear system similar to Injustice 2, but in MK 11, the outfit upgrades are largely cosmetic and aren't tied into a given character's abilities.
Watch the live-action trailer below, Mortal KombatXI releases on April 23, 2019 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with a Switch version slated for May 10, 2019.
