Author: Zavian "mushin_Z" Sildra

SNK’s return to sword-slashing combat looks very promising — and bloody as hell.

As promised, SNK delivered a much closer look at their upcoming return to the classic franchise Samurai Shodown at PAX East 2019, beginning with a fantastic new trailer:

And the window has narrowed for the game’s release: now we can expect the title to be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in June 2019, offering just over a month (at least) before we see the game on the Evo 2019 main stage. It will arrive on Switch and PC sometime later.

As gorgeous as the game is looking in the trailer, the gameplay is where it counts — and multiple sources are starting to provide video of exactly that. Here is 12 minutes of gameplay from IGN:

We can see that the game’s spirit seems to be intact: careful neutral game is required because of huge punishes on mistakes and whiffs. Here’s some more from LI Joe:

Or, how about a whopping 44 minutes of gameplay from Gematsu…?

The game is set very early in the franchise timeline, will have 16 fighters in the roster at launch (including three newcomers) and will feature an A.I. training system. From the press release:

Once again set in the late 18th century, after the events of Samurai Shodown V and prior to the events of the original game, Samurai Shodown will see the return of thirteen classic characters, including Haohmaru, Earthquake and Galford, who will be joined by three brand new characters to the series. Additional characters will also be available via post-launch DLC.

Developed in-house at SNK by the same team that brought us King of Fighters XIV, Samurai Shodown features a host of modes, such as Story, Practice, Online Battle and multiple offline battle modes. The new game will also debut an innovative new asynchronous online mode called “Dojo” that uses deep machine learning to create a CPU-avatar that learns from players’ actions during offline modes and creates a Ghost AI character. Players will be able to upload their Ghost to the leaderboards and also download Ghost data from other players. Players can take on Ghosts in 1v1 battle, or take on the Ironman Challenge and attempt to take down up to 100 ghosts in one go.

The game will be published in North America and Europe by the Los Angeles-based Athlon Games. We’re definitely looking forward to “embracing death” this summer!

Sources: Samurai Shodown; Athlon Games [press release]; Long Island Joe; IGN; Gematsu

If you’re the ruler of Outworld, brutality really seems like the way to go.

NetherRealm Studios have revealed the Outworld Emperor Kotal Kahn for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 11, as well as some information on the impending closed beta.

From the press release:

Kotal Kahn is an Osh-Tekk warrior and Emperor of Outworld. Years ago, Kotal saved the Empire from chaos and claimed the throne of Kahn. Now his reign is plagued by rising tensions at home and abroad. Determined to keep order, Kotal wrestles with the temptation to exercise the same brutal tactics as his predecessors. Kotal summons the power of the sun to strengthen his abilities against his opponents. Additionally, a more in-depth look at the fighting style of Kotal Kahn’s opponent, Jacqui Briggs, is showcased in the trailer with her implementing experience as a competitive fighter trained in kickboxing and martial arts.

If you missed the official story trailer that sets the scene for this time-hopping bloodfest, here it is:

Mortal Kombat 11 is hitting the streets on April 23rd — but if you pre-order the title you will gain some early access, thanks to next week’s closed beta test. The test begins on March 27th.

From the press release:

The Mortal Kombat 11 closed beta begins next week on Wednesday, March 27 at 8:00 a.m. PDT in North America and will run through Sunday, March 31 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. All players who pre-order Mortal Kombat 11 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro, Xbox One or Xbox One X at select retailers will receive access to the closed beta, which features five different characters, each with unique abilities and Fatalities, including fan-favorite fighters Baraka, Jade, Kabal, Scarlet and Scorpion.

Players participating in the closed beta will experience a preview of the all-new Custom Character Variation System, which will offer nearly infinite customization options to personalize fighters with a variety Skins, Gear, Special Abilities, Intro and Victory Cinemas, Taunts and Brutalities. Gameplay modes offered in the close beta will include online multiplayer matches, along with Towers of Time, a single-player mode where players can test their skills through various challenges, providing more ways than ever to continue the Mortal Kombat 11 experience.

Sources: Mortal Kombat 11 [press release]; Mortal Kombat