Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath

If the zany story started in Mortal Kombat 11 was the main course, then Aftermath is the desert that makes the entire ordeal completely worthwhile. Not only do we get an epic conclusion, but also three new characters to play with and several amazing stages. Sure it may be a bit overpriced, but if there’s one thing to be said here, it’s that Netherrealm Studios really has mastered their craft, both...

That said, Aftermath is a fantastic expansion to Mortal Kombat 11 that will keep the game alive and well for its second year, and will hopefully lead to more expansion packs with more characters in the future.

Since the Mortal Kombat series received a soft reboot in 2011, it has stood shoulder to shoulder with the most elite fighting franchises thanks to superb 2D fighting mechanics and consistent post-launch support. However, NetherRealm Studios’ Fatality-filled fighter reigns supreme in its story mode. Since the reboot, the series has delivered three cinematic stories that have expanded the franchise’...

Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath adds to an already incredible story experience. If story isn't your jam though, then it might be hard to find value.

Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath review - Adding a new chapter to the campaign puts Shang Tsung front and center, but messing with time again comes as a cost as players need to open their wallets for the pricey but brief expansion.

NetherRealm has supported its last four games with a healthy amount of premium and free DLC. From stages to characters to finishers, each has had a healthy flow of content over the years. But the Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath expansion marks a new era for the team, as it adds in story-based DLC in addition to those aforementioned standbys. And while it’s familiar and rooted within what the base game ...

Aftermath feels like two disparate DLC packs fused together into one: A short but sweet single-player expansion with a scene-stealing Shang Tsung and half of a Kombat Pack worth of characters. Two of those three, Fujin and Sheeva, are excellent, distinctive fighters while RoboCop is just okay due to his derivative moveset. (He looks and sounds awesome, at least.) Alone and appropriately priced, th...

As ever, it seemingly pays to wait, and those who already own Mortal Kombat 11 are probably wise to wait for a reduction on Aftermath and enjoy the free content added via the latest update in the meantime. That is, of course, unless they’re willing to spend £34.99/$39.99 on what is essentially half of a Kombat Pack plus a short and enjoyable but rather unnecessary story extension.

Mortal Kombat 11 was arguably the surprise hit of 2019, exceeding most fans’ expectations and ultimately ending up fifth on the year-end bestsellers list (a real accomplishment for a fighting game). One of the reasons for this success was MK11’s story mode, which delivered top-notch production values and a mind-bending time-hopping plot that honored the series’ long, complex history.

£35 for half a Kombat Pack and a three-hour epilogue is terrible value for money, especially as only two of the new characters are any good.