Mortal Kombatmay be able to thrive through an unusual move inspired by one of its spinoffs.Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monksis one of the more unusual entries in the series, almost entirely due to its shift in genre. Despite the change, the game still performed rather well, serving as a blueprint for what theMortal Kombatfranchise may be able to do outside its usual one-on-one combat. It’s possible thatMortal Kombat: Shaolin Monkscould provide some inspiration forMortal Kombat’s near future, especially following the game-changing ending ofMortal Kombat 11.
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monksis aMortal Kombatspinoff, and withEd Boon considering remasteringShaolin Monks, it feels like a topic worth discussing. Unlike the mainMortal Kombatseries, which focuses on one-on-one fights,Shaolin Monks' primary gameplay is a beat ‘em up where players fight their way through various stages, doing battle with hordes of enemies rather than a single opponent. The game also included a versus mode for players to battle each other, although mechanical differences made it a different experience from usualMortal Kombatfights. Even with all the differences,Shaolin Monkswas ultimately well-received.
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Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks’ Gameplay Could Be Revisited
The beat ‘em up gameplay ofMortal Kombat: Shaolin Monkswas an excellent fit for the series. Theiconic characters ofMortal Kombatare supposed to be the strongest fighters in their universe, martial arts masters and supernatural warriors without peer.Shaolin Monkssaw Liu Kang and Kung Lao fighting off several fighters at once, adding legitimacy to their reputation. AlthoughShaolin Monkschanges the usual formula of theMortalKombatgames, it works to the benefit of the characters. With the protagonists able to defeat multiple foes effortlessly and only face a real challenge against other roster members, their strength is on full display.
One of the flaws ofShaolin Monksis that only four players were playable in the Story Mode.Mortal Kombathas a large cast, including manyMortal Kombatfighters that missedMK11, and only having four available feels disappointing, even considering limitations at the time. However, with the advancements at the developers’ disposal, it’s possible that a newMortal Kombatgame inShaolin Monks' mold could let much more of the cast show off the skills that make them top-class fighters even against multiple opponents. It could even be an opportunity to experiment with some characters' abilities in such an environment.
A particular point in favor of a newMortal Kombatgame following the inspiration ofShaolin Monksis that it would not be the first fighting game to experiment in such a way.Street Fighter 6’s upcoming World Tour modeis another experiment by an iconic fighting game series to mix up its usual formula. Another such example isTekken’s Tekken Force, The Devil Within, and Scenario Campaign modes, all of which added a beat ‘em up mode with a story alongside the usual game. It’s nothing unusual for fighting games to try new things, and it could be time forMortal Kombatto try again.
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monksmay not be the most popular game in the series, but it had some ideas that would be worth trying again in a later game, especially withMortal Kombat’s expanded cast. WhileMortal Kombat 12is already in development, a side mode or future title featuring the cast in a beat ‘em up could be a great addition.Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monkswas fun, and some polishing of that game’s formula could be a great route for Netherrealm to pursue.Mortal Kombat’s future could be brighter if the series takesShaolin Monksas inspiration.
Mortal Kombat 12is in development.
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