Uploaded June 2014 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago

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Some exciting news this time, let me know what you think about this MK so far.

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During their broadcast from E3 2014, the folks over at PlayStation brought NetherRealm Studios creative director on stage to show off Mortal Kombat X.

Boon started off by saying that Mortal Kombat 9 was the best selling game in the franchise, but they didn't want to jump into development on the follow-up and just re-skin everything for quick turn-around. The longtime director promised that they are taking an aggressive approach to adding new gameplay elements and characters.

The best example of these fresh gameplay experiences are probably the character variations. Each of the cast members will have three different versions, complete with exclusive moves and strategies. For example, Scorpion's Ninjutsu variation will utilize unique sword attacks, while Hellfire adds things like his Flame Aura trait from Injustice: Gods Among Us.

Boon mentioned that they will be keeping the energy meter from Mortal Kombat 9, making a few refinements along the way. His team felt it worked out really well in the 2011 release, so it should be interesting to see how it is incorporated here.

While gameplay wasn't shown, the character select screen revealed some new information about a couple of fresh faces. Kotal Kahn is another new combatant joining the game alongside D'vorah and Ferra/Torr; you may have seen him dealing out some nasty punishment near the end of the previous gameplay trailer. Cassie Cage, the daughter of series veterans Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, will also be joining the fray, armed with a mixture of her parents' movesets.

Cassie also serves as a way to highlight the game's expansive storyline. Mortal Kombat X's plot begins right after the events of the previous installment, but goes as far as 25 years into the future. This allows NetherRealm to incorporate a number of new characters, including some who, like Cassie, are descendants of familiar fighters.

But it wasn't all speculative talk. Boon also provided a few details about the new duo. Ferra will work in tandem with her giant partner Torr to destroy her opponents, though how they work together will change depending on which variation players choose. One version in particular will see Ferra damage Torr in an effort to enrage him, making for some high-risk, high-reward situations in which the player's damage increases while they also lose life.

On the subject of interactables, Boon reiterated that the background interactivity in Mortal Kombat X will focus more on mobility, allowing competitors to position themselves or escape nasty situations.

Finally, when asked about the game's big bad, the creative director teased that the final boss will be a character we've seen in the series before, but would not comment any further.