Mortal Kombat X, the first true next-gen iteration of the long standing fighting franchise, has arrived, and it has left hundreds of bloody carcasses in its wake. NetherRealm Studios brought the franchise back from the doldrums with its previous, critically celebrated MK 9, and they further honed their formula with the equally praised Injustice: Gods Among Us. So it was with great anticipation that fans eagerly awaited the latest installment. But were there hopes and dreams rewarded? Check out what the reviewers have to say below:

Game Informer: Mortal Kombat X is a fantastic successor in every sense. The mechanics may be similar to 2011’s strong release, but with so many new modes and features permeating every part of the experience, it’s a worthy upgrade. Mortal Kombat X is more than the continuation of NetherRealm’s successful vision for the franchise; it’s one of the best fighting games in years. (9.25/10)

The Escapist: Mortal Kombat X offers the best story mode I’ve ever personally seen in a fighting game. Its cohesive plot and extended cinematics makes you feel much more like a participant in a film than a player on the couch. The fighting is frantic, fluid, and dynamic, with the glorious goriness of the X-Ray moves often turning the tides of battle. (4.5/5)

Destructoid: Mortal Kombat X‘s impact isn’t as explosive as 2011, but it’s well polished and a worthy successor. I think with a more reliable netcode it will grow into one of the biggest fighting games of 2015, and as more DLC characters are added to the roster, it will become even more enticing for thatKomplete Kollection purchase. (8/10)

Video Gamer: Overall, however, Mortal Kombat X is the most entertaining fighting game on next-gen. It’s bonkers in the best possible way, serving up some eye-watering kills (Cassie Cage’s X-Ray move will make every man wince, every time) and entertaining matches that don’t require great skill to create. Depth lies in learning each character as the story introduces them, which forms a springboard to use them in other modes that surround it. (8/10)

Games Radar+: As a whole, Mortal Kombat X is a rock-solid fighting game that owes a lot to the power of its presentation. The story mode is unparalleled in terms of sheer entertainment, but MKX has a way to go in terms of teaching the player how to get the most out of its core systems. Once you’ve wrapped your head around the many variations and found some actual people to play against, the blisteringly fast back-and-forth matches really start to open up. If you’re not willing to make the commitment to seeking out challengers and learning beyond the basics, though, this fighter definitely has a shorter life expectancy. (3.5/5)

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