Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
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| Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks | |
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| Developer(s) | Midway L.A./Paradox Development |
| Publisher(s) | Midway |
| Designer(s) | Adam Puhl, John Edwards |
| Series | Mortal Kombat |
| Platform(s) | PS2, Xbox |
| Release date | September 16th, 2005 |
| Genre(s) | Beat 'em up, Action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: M BBFC: 18 OFLC: MA15+ |
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is the ninth game in the Mortal Kombat series. Shaolin Monks was developed by Midway LA (formerly Paradox Development) and published by Midway for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox and was released September 16th, 2005 in the United States.
In October 2004, the president of Midway, David F. Zucker, called the release of Shaolin Monks the "first step toward delivering something that Mortal Kombat fans have been calling for: a new game set in the Mortal Kombat universe every year." [1]
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[edit] Gameplay
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is an action-adventure game that spans the events of Mortal Kombat II, starting with the aftermath of the first Mortal Kombat. The game centers on two members of the Shaolin Order, Liu Kang and Kung Lao, as they travel through the realms in an attempt to thwart Shang Tsung's plans to dominate Earthrealm.
The game features three main modes of play. Aside from a single-player mode, the game has a co-operative mode, where two players can work together through the game, with access to some areas and items that are inaccessible in single-player mode. There is also a versus mode, where two players can fight against each other in some of the arenas featured in the game.
In addition to Liu Kang and Kung Lao, the game features other characters from the Mortal Kombat series. Some are there to aid the main characters, including Raiden, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, Jax Briggs and Sub-Zero, while others serve as the game's bosses, including Kitana, Mileena, Jade, Reptile, Ermac, Baraka, Goro, Kintaro, Scorpion and Kano. Some of these can be unlocked to become playable characters in the various modes of the game.
Shaolin Monks has a gameplay device called the Multi-Directional Kombat System, which gives players the ability to attack any of the enemies that surround them fluidly. The engine allows the player to maintain combo attacks across multiple enemies, and even continue their combos after launching an enemy into the air through a powerful attack or a throw. The main characters also have many of the special moves that they've had in the fighting games of the series. Combos and special moves are upgradeable through the earning of experience points. These are mainly gained through defeating opponents, with the combo system multiplying the value. The environment plays a vital role in the game, as there are several hazards that will instantly kill an enemy, such as pits in the floor or rotating wheels of spikes. Using some of the environment in this manner, as well as attacking or destroying certain objects, serve as a puzzle-solving element to unlock secrets in the game.
The game also includes a common feature of the Mortal Kombat series, fatalities. Except for fatalities performed on Bosses, the method of performing one in Shaolin Monks is different from that of the main fighting games of the series. Using combos on enemies increases a fatality meter. Once that meter has reached a certain level, a fatality may be performed, regardless of an opponent's level of health. The main characters have the ability to perform several different fatality moves, some of which are 3D updated versions of fatalities from the first and second Mortal Kombat games. The player can also unlock the ability to do Multalities, which are fatalities performed on multiple enemies at once. The concept of Brutalities from Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 have also been brought back, though with a different function. Once the move has been performed, the player will be able to give more devastating attacks for a limited time.
A method for unlocking a Survival Mode in Shaolin Monks was published in April 2006, a full seven months since the game was released. Survival Mode comprises nine challenges, which vary in difficulty. These challenges feature recurring bosses and enemies, as well as exclusive arenas. The process for unlocking Survival Mode is featured on several MK related websites. [1]
Another contribution to this game is an unlockable emulated version of Mortal Kombat II, present in all Xbox versions and in the NTSC Playstation 2 version. Whilst the means to unlock the game are included in the PAL release of Shaolin Monks for the Playstation 2 (the completion of side missions given to the player or players by Smoke), Mortal Kombat II itself is not included in this version.
The locations in Shaolin Monks are based on arenas originally featured in Mortal Kombat II, as well as some from the first Mortal Kombat, and one from Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. Throughout the game are coded messages written vertically, translatable through references in unlockable concept art. The symbol for "LIZARD" is repeated several times within Reptile's Lair in the Living Forest. Several banners surrounding and en-route to a treetop area of the Living Forest, where Mileena is found, read "TOASTY" once translated. In the Soul Tombs, the glowing symbols above the entrances to two alternate routes translate as "FIRE" and "WIND". The door leading into the Foundry, as well as showing the player's tournament victories, has symbols which read "LIU KANG WILL DIE"[sic] , referencing (though technically predicting) Liu Kang's death in Deadly Alliance.
[edit] Story
The battle raged furiously on Shang Tsung's island fortress in the Lost Sea. While the demon sorcerer watches from his throne, several fights occur: Sonya Blade vs. Kano, Johnny Cage vs. Reptile, and Sub-Zero vs. Scorpion.
The Shaolin monk Liu Kang confronts Shang Tsung and is met instead by two of his masked guards. Liu Kang defeats them and fights the sorcerer. Shang Tsung gains the advantage and proceeds to consume Liu Kang's soul but is interrupted by a disguised Kung Lao. Kung Lao throws his bladed hat at one of Baraka's henchmen, decapitating him. Baraka ducks and avoids the hat, but narrowly. Kung Lao proceeds to fight Baraka and Liu Kang continues fighting Shang Tsung. Although the sorcerer tries morphing into various fighters, Liu Kang punches him several times and finishes him with the Flying Kick, sending Shang Tsung through a pillar. Weakened, Shang Tsung tries to get up, but the room quakes.
Emerging from a hallway, Goro appears and moves in on any fighter he sees. Liu Kang and Sub-Zero manage to jump out of his way, however, Kung Lao and Sonya are knocked aside by the Shokan, Johnny Cage attempts his famed shadow kick but is beaten severely and thrown aside. With Goro distracting everyone else, Shang Tsung creates a portal to Outworld and retreats. He's soon followed by Baraka, Goro, Reptile, Kano, and strangely Scorpion. Raiden appears afterwards and warns the remaining fighters to get off the island palace for it's collapsing into the sea. Everyone evacuates except Liu Kang and Kung Lao who fall into Goro's Lair.
They escape back to the Wu Shi Academy but Baraka and the Tarkatan launch an attack on the Wu Shi Academy and capture Sonya. Raiden confirms that Shang Tsung is trying to lure Liu Kang and his allies to Outworld where he can order his henchmen to attack them and bide his time for power. If he's successful, Shang Tsung will conquer Earth without winning a Mortal Kombat tournament, which is cheating.
The Shaolin Monks, Liu Kang and Kung Lao, journey through the nightmarish realm of Outworld to stop the sorcerer's plot. They are guided by Raiden and assisted by Johnny Cage. Throughout their journeys, they are joined by a mysterious princess named Kitana, meet familiar foes and eventually save Sonya and stop Shang Tsung. But the sorcerer is not the only person who wants Earth; the Emperor of Outworld wants Earth for his realm and he will stop at nothing until he gets it.
[edit] Differences between Shaolin Monks and the Mortal Kombat storyline
- The official Mortal Kombat II comic book was believed to be canon since it was written by MK co-creator John Tobias, who left Midway long before the game was developed. The comic, published twelve years prior to the release of Shaolin Monks, is contradicted by the story presented in the game. While the fundamental basics remain the same (Shang Tsung's island crumbles, the Shaolin temples are destroyed, Shang Tsung regains his youth, the Earthrealm warriors are lured into Outworld etc.), the details and order of many events and who fought whom are largely different.
- Sub-Zero's scar has never officially been explained in the Mortal Kombat storyline until Shaolin Monks. Shaolin Monks invalidated the long held fan theory that he was scarred by the Lin Kuei when he left the clan in Mortal Kombat 3 by having him scarred in a fight with Kung Lao. His bio in Mortal Kombat Trilogy states that he was marked for death by the Lin Kuei. Shaun Himmerick, the producer of Shaolin Monks, has stated in an online chat "Fight Night" held at the fan site Mortal Kombat Online that the term "marked for death" was meant figuratively. [2]
- Neither Kung Lao nor Baraka were present in the first Mortal Kombat game. In Shaolin Monks, they are shown on Shang Tsung's island during this tournament. Kung Lao posing as one of his guards and participating in the final battle along with a small squad of Tarkatan warriors led by Baraka. However, it is worth noting that Kung Lao and Baraka only attack each other, and thus do not engage in kombat with any characters from the first game anyway.
- Liu Kang was present when the Tarkata attacked the Shaolin Temple, and helped to fight them off. His Mortal Kombat II bio made clear he was not present at the battle.
- Liu Kang was portrayed as being naive and Kung Lao as being arrogant and jealous of Liu Kang's victory in the tournament. Neither of these attributes were shown in character storylines of previous games. They were also portrayed as somewhat immature at times (for example, Kung Lao constantly referring to Kitana as Liu Kang's "girlfriend" and Liu sharply responding to Kung Lao with "she's not my girlfriend!").
- Goro was defeated by Liu Kang in the first Mortal Kombat game, and he was lost in the aftermath. His Outworld allies believed that he had been killed by Kang, only for him to return in Mortal Kombat 4. In Shaolin Monks, Goro survived the original Mortal Kombat tournament, and returned with Shang Tsung to Outworld. He was later killed there by Johnny Cage. Besides Goro, a few others of the MK character roster were "killed" in Shaolin Monks (Jade, Baraka, Reptile, Kano, Shang Tsung and Kintaro), all of which have appeared in games set after this one (made before and afterwards). Their deaths and subsequent resurrections are left unexplained in subsequent games. John Edwards of Midway has stated the boss fatalites were included as they "seemed much more entertaining than having the bosses run away when you beat them". He also noted that the "other option was to have them all run away after you defeated them. Seemed less fun." [2]
- Shang Tsung is seen restoring his own youth with a combination of fresh souls and powerful magic. However, his MKII bio and the comic state that it was Shao Kahn who restored his youth and strength.
- Reptile says that he doesn't serve Shang Tsung, when the player meets him for the first time. His MKII bio states that he had served as Tsung's bodyguard in the first game.
- The younger Sub-Zero and Noob Saibot meet in Shaolin Monks, and Sub-Zero is somewhat aware of Noob’s true identity. Noob-Smoke’s ending in Mortal Kombat: Deception mentioned that Noob hadn’t seen his brother since before he died, but it wasn’t known if Sub-Zero had seen him or knew of his true identity. Obviously, he did know Noob's true identity.
- Kitana is shown having had full knowledge of what Shao Kahn did to her family (thus, she had fought against his rule during that time), and is put under a holding spell to gain her loyalty and erase her memories of her original parents and what Kahn had done to them. In her Mortal Kombat II ending, it tells that Kitana had learned of her true past during her years as an assassin, and only feigns loyalty to the Emperor, with no spell mentioned. This idea is not contradicted anywhere else in the MK series, however.
- Jax, a member of the U.S. Special Forces, had the ability to open portals in Shaolin Monks. This technology didn't exist until the Outer World Investigation Agency was created after Mortal Kombat 3, when Shao Kahn had invaded Earthrealm. Until that point, only sorcerers (like Shang Tsung) and deities (like Raiden) could open portals.
- Quan Chi is seen bearing tattoos. However, this contradicts the story leading up to Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. During this time, he discovered markings that revealed secrets about his amulet, then burned those same markings onto his skin.
- Scorpion was shown to suddenly attack Liu Kang and Kung Lao. This gave the impression that Scorpion had an evil alignment, even though Scorpion has been a neutral character throughout the course of the MK timeline.
- Reptile’s lizard-like features are more evident here than in MKII. Originally, Reptile had covered his true appearance with a human-like skin suit and mask, before abandoning the suit in MK4, and his de-evolution sometime before Deadly Alliance. However, if both players were to play as Reptile in versus mode, the second player would look more like what Reptile had looked like before his de-evolution.
- At the end of the game, it was revealed that Shao Kahn was in possession of Quan Chi’s amulet, and Quan Chi himself is seen retrieving it. This spurred a controversy among fans of the series, because it was believed that Quan Chi had the amulet since the end of Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (set before the first Mortal Kombat), and it isn’t known how Kahn came to have it.
[edit] Reception
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The game has received enthusiastic reviews from critics and gamers alike, especially in comparison with the previous two spin-offs (Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces), which were critical and commercial failures. Among the game's strongest points include its efficient and simple gameplay and a well-received soundtrack (many songs are actually re-mixes of Mortal Kombat I and II tracks) as well as having a large arsenal of gruesome finishing moves that can be performed at almost any time.
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks has sold over one million copies.[3].
Despite the game's success there were some issues with the game that fans took note of. The game has only four playable characters in story mode, all of which are male. Kitana was the only playable female in the entire game, but she was available only in versus mode.
X-Play gave it a 3/5. Game Informer gave it 8.5/10
[edit] Trivia
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- After the players death the "Game Over" sequence features messages. They can either reference other MK characters (e.g. "Who will win, Stryker or Cyrax?", "Who is Kenshi? Why is He Blind?", or even "Sheeva, Sheeva, SHEEVA!"); give extremely subtle hints for completing the game such as "Only Smoke knows how to play MK2" (as in how to play Mortal Kombat II For Xbox and NTSC Playstation 2 only though the message still appears in the PAL PS2 version), "Have you fed all the trees?" (as in feeding the trees in the Living Forest to gain access to Reptile's Lair), "Find Smoke, he will reveal many secrets" and "Boss Rush Mode?" (an oblique reference to the hidden Survival Mode in this game); or even downright silly such as "Find Mustapha", "Free Princess Melewski" (a reference to Beth Melewski, who did voicework for the game), or "Tell your friends". One in particular, "Kano Transformations," is a reference to a statistic in the Mortal Kombat II arcade operator reports screen as well as a reference to Nightwolf's friendship in MK3.
- When Liu Kang and Kung Lao are on the platform above the pit, Reptile is waiting for them. This is a reference to Mortal Kombat when Reptile is unlockable through 2 flawless victories, no blocking and a fatality in the pit level.
- When Johnny Cage steps in to finish off Goro later in the game, this is an obvious reference to the MK movie. It could also be a reference to Johnny Cage's toned down fatality where he sticks his foot into the opponent's chest in Mortal Kombat.
- After the boss fight with Scorpion, he sinks into the lava of the Netherrealm. As he's going under, he sticks his hand out and gives a "thumbs-up" to the player. This is a clear reference to Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
- At the beginning of game's opening movie, "MORTAL KOMBAT!" is being heard screaming. This is a direct reference to Mortal Kombat, where the yell was introduced in the movie's theme song Techno Syndrome which in turn was inspired by the Mortal Kombat scream used in promotional commercials for Mortal Kombat II.
[edit] References
- ^ Thorsen, Tor (October 22nd, 2004). Midway announces Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. Gamespot.com. Retrieved on 2006-05-30.
- ^ http://www.mortalkombatonline.com/content/kom/transcripts/MKSMTEAM_10-03-2005.txt MKSMTEAM_10-03-2005 Team interview.
- ^ MKSM Sells 1 million - confirmation of MKSM selling 1 million.
[edit] External links
Official websites:
Other websites:
- Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks media and information archive at Total Mortal Kombat
- Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks at MobyGames
- Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks Comprehensive Strategy Guide at Kamidogu
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