Everything You Need To Know About 'Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath'

Here's a look at everything you need to know about the latest expansion to 'Mortal Kombat 11', Aftermath.

May 28, 2020

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Image via NetherRealm Studios

On Tuesday, May 26, NetherRealm Studios released Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath, a massive expansion to 2019's critically acclaimed Mortal Kombat 11.

For older Kombat fans, who played the original arcade trilogy in the early '90s, this should feel familiar. Fighting games, and Mortal Kombat specifically, are no stranger to repackaging and adding on to base content. The original Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) was followed by Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995), which added additional characters, game modes, and the 'Brutality' finisher. Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996) added even more characters, stages from the prior two games, and an Aggressor bar.

Multiple releases, in rapid succession to one another, can exhaust an audience and force fans into a cost-benefit analysis: 'Is X number of new features worth Y number of dollars?' But the Aftermath DLC is no cheap cash-in; it's a bonafide expansion with more than the typical DLC extras (although it also has those too!). And if you already own Mortal Kombat 11, some of those extras are free.

Here is everything you need to know about Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath.

First of all, there's a story expansion, which picks up exactly where Mortal Kombat 11's story mode left off. According to the trailers we've seen so far, Liu Kang will ally himself with Shang Tsung to work towards a better, post-Kronika timeline. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, who famously played Shang Tsung in the 1995 movie adaptation of the first game, reprises his role in Aftermath.

Storyline wise, Tsung has been the series' villain since the very beginning-- an opportunistic, cowardly powerbroker, serving a stronger being's goals as a means of keeping himself secure. So no doubt, his alliance with a longtime enemy will be short-lived; it's a matter of convenience rather than actual, shared principles, and Kang had better watch his back. — youtu.be

First of all, there's a story expansion, which picks up exactly where *Mortal Kombat 11*'s story mode left off. According to the trailers we've seen so far, Liu Kang will ally himself with Shang Tsung to work towards a better, post-Kronika timeline. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, who famously played Shang Tsung in the 1995 movie adaptation of the first game, reprises his role in Aftermath.

Storyline wise, Tsung has been the series' villain since the very beginning-- an opportunistic, cowardly powerbroker, serving a stronger being's goals as a means of keeping himself secure. So no doubt, his alliance with a longtime enemy will be short-lived; it's a matter of convenience rather than actual, shared principles, and Kang had better watch his back.

youtu.be

First of all, there's a story expansion, which picks up exactly where *Mortal Kombat 11*'s story mode left off. According to the trailers we've seen so far, Liu Kang will ally himself with Shang Tsung to work towards a better, post-Kronika timeline. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, who famously played Shang Tsung in the 1995 movie adaptation of the first game, reprises his role in Aftermath.

Storyline wise, Tsung has been the series' villain since the very beginning-- an opportunistic, cowardly powerbroker, serving a stronger being's goals as a means of keeping himself secure. So no doubt, his alliance with a longtime enemy will be short-lived; it's a matter of convenience rather than actual, shared principles, and Kang had better watch his back.

There are three new characters in Aftermath. The first is Fujin, who many younger players may not know. Fujin is an ally of Raiden, and just as Raiden is the Thunder God, Fujin, Raiden's younger brother, is the Wind God. Fujin made his debut in Mortal Kombat 4, although he hasn't been playable since Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. The teaser trailer shows that he's transitioned to Mortal Kombat 11 with his wind powers and infamous crossbow intact. — youtu.be

There are three new characters in Aftermath. The first is Fujin, who many younger players may not know. Fujin is an ally of Raiden, and just as Raiden is the Thunder God, Fujin, Raiden's younger brother, is the Wind God. Fujin made his debut in *Mortal Kombat 4*, although he hasn't been playable since *Mortal Kombat: Armageddon*. The teaser trailer shows that he's transitioned to *Mortal Kombat 11* with his wind powers and infamous crossbow intact.

youtu.be

There are three new characters in Aftermath. The first is Fujin, who many younger players may not know. Fujin is an ally of Raiden, and just as Raiden is the Thunder God, Fujin, Raiden's younger brother, is the Wind God. Fujin made his debut in *Mortal Kombat 4*, although he hasn't been playable since *Mortal Kombat: Armageddon*. The teaser trailer shows that he's transitioned to *Mortal Kombat 11* with his wind powers and infamous crossbow intact.

Sheeva debuted in Mortal Kombat 3 as the first playable character of the half-human/half-dragon Shokan race; Goro was a boss in Mortal Kombat, and Kintaro was a boss in Mortal Kombat II. Sheeva has struggled to find her place in the franchise. She's frequently ranked as a bottom tier character, because her strength is never quite enough to make up for her unwieldiness. Perhaps Aftermath will be her redemption; she fights with a grappling style that's well-suited to her four limbs. — youtu.be

Sheeva debuted in *Mortal Kombat 3* as the first playable character of the half-human/half-dragon Shokan race; Goro was a boss in *Mortal Kombat*, and Kintaro was a boss in *Mortal Kombat II*. Sheeva has struggled to find her place in the franchise. She's frequently ranked as a bottom tier character, because her strength is never quite enough to make up for her unwieldiness. Perhaps Aftermath will be her redemption; she fights with a grappling style that's well-suited to her four limbs.

youtu.be

Sheeva debuted in *Mortal Kombat 3* as the first playable character of the half-human/half-dragon Shokan race; Goro was a boss in *Mortal Kombat*, and Kintaro was a boss in *Mortal Kombat II*. Sheeva has struggled to find her place in the franchise. She's frequently ranked as a bottom tier character, because her strength is never quite enough to make up for her unwieldiness. Perhaps Aftermath will be her redemption; she fights with a grappling style that's well-suited to her four limbs.

Robocop joins Terminator as the second classic '80s action hero to star in Mortal Kombat 11. Peter Weller reprises his role as a Detroit cop who was killed and resurrected by cybernetic enhancements. Based on the explosion Fatality that NetherRealm is showing off, Robocop is holding nothing back. Your move, creep. — youtu.be

Robocop joins Terminator as the second classic '80s action hero to star in *Mortal Kombat 11*. Peter Weller reprises his role as a Detroit cop who was killed and resurrected by cybernetic enhancements. Based on the explosion Fatality that NetherRealm is showing off, Robocop is holding nothing back. Your move, creep.

youtu.be

Robocop joins Terminator as the second classic '80s action hero to star in *Mortal Kombat 11*. Peter Weller reprises his role as a Detroit cop who was killed and resurrected by cybernetic enhancements. Based on the explosion Fatality that NetherRealm is showing off, Robocop is holding nothing back. Your move, creep.

Fans have been asking for Mortal Kombat's deadly, disfigured, ironic sex symbol for over a year. And maybe, they're been asking a little too hard; Ed Boon went on Twitter in April to say that Mileena would never appear in one of his games again, ever.

The Aftermath expansion does not include a playable Mileena either, but there might be some hope down the line. When Game Informer asked him about Mileena recently, he laughed and stated, "I can not confirm or deny anything that's after Aftermath." That's not exactly hopeful. But it's better than the hard no we were getting before. — youtu.be

Fans have been asking for Mortal Kombat's deadly, disfigured, ironic sex symbol for over a year. And maybe, they're been asking a little too hard; Ed Boon went on Twitter in April to say that Mileena would never appear in one of his games again, ever.

The *Aftermath* expansion does not include a playable Mileena either, but there might be some hope down the line. When Game Informer asked him about Mileena recently, he laughed and stated, "I can not confirm or deny anything that's after Aftermath." That's not exactly hopeful. But it's better than the hard no we were getting before.

youtu.be

Fans have been asking for Mortal Kombat's deadly, disfigured, ironic sex symbol for over a year. And maybe, they're been asking a little too hard; Ed Boon went on Twitter in April to say that Mileena would never appear in one of his games again, ever.

The *Aftermath* expansion does not include a playable Mileena either, but there might be some hope down the line. When Game Informer asked him about Mileena recently, he laughed and stated, "I can not confirm or deny anything that's after Aftermath." That's not exactly hopeful. But it's better than the hard no we were getting before.

Making their return in Mortal Kombat 11 are Friendship finishers, which allow you to end the match with a silly, G-rated overture at friendship. They haven't been featured in a MK game since 1996's Mortal Kombat Trilogy.

"The original idea for Friendships came about as a response to all the attention that the Fatalities received in the first Mortal Kombat," said Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series and creative director of Mortal Kombat 11, in an interview with Complex. "Part of it was us proving that we could make something that players would love that had no violence in it whatsoever. So, we took the exact opposite approach. You can think of Friendship moves as anti-Fatality moves. I believe we came up with a number of the first Friendship moves in one sitting. If I had to guess, I think Shang Tsung’s Rainbow Friendship might have been the first one."

"Over the years, Mortal Kombat has had a number of iconic features that have made a big impact on the series," continued Boon. "There have been so many that we can no longer include all of them in every version of the game. So, we like to give them a rest for a few games and then bring them back in all of their glory with the latest technology to back them up. We did that with Babalities in Mortal Kombat 9, and now we felt it was time to bring back the Friendship moves. It’s fun, because people will miss them and then it’s a bigger deal when they return." — youtu.be

Making their return in *Mortal Kombat 11* are Friendship finishers, which allow you to end the match with a silly, G-rated overture at friendship. They haven't been featured in a MK game since 1996's *Mortal Kombat Trilogy*.

"The original idea for Friendships came about as a response to all the attention that the Fatalities received in the first Mortal Kombat," said Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series and creative director of *Mortal Kombat 11*, in an interview with Complex. "Part of it was us proving that we could make something that players would love that had no violence in it whatsoever. So, we took the exact opposite approach. You can think of Friendship moves as anti-Fatality moves. I believe we came up with a number of the first Friendship moves in one sitting. If I had to guess, I think Shang Tsung’s Rainbow Friendship might have been the first one."

"Over the years, *Mortal Kombat* has had a number of iconic features that have made a big impact on the series," continued Boon. "There have been so many that we can no longer include all of them in every version of the game. So, we like to give them a rest for a few games and then bring them back in all of their glory with the latest technology to back them up. We did that with Babalities in *Mortal Kombat 9*, and now we felt it was time to bring back the Friendship moves. It’s fun, because people will miss them and then it’s a bigger deal when they return."

youtu.be

Making their return in *Mortal Kombat 11* are Friendship finishers, which allow you to end the match with a silly, G-rated overture at friendship. They haven't been featured in a MK game since 1996's *Mortal Kombat Trilogy*.

"The original idea for Friendships came about as a response to all the attention that the Fatalities received in the first Mortal Kombat," said Ed Boon, co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series and creative director of *Mortal Kombat 11*, in an interview with Complex. "Part of it was us proving that we could make something that players would love that had no violence in it whatsoever. So, we took the exact opposite approach. You can think of Friendship moves as anti-Fatality moves. I believe we came up with a number of the first Friendship moves in one sitting. If I had to guess, I think Shang Tsung’s Rainbow Friendship might have been the first one."

"Over the years, *Mortal Kombat* has had a number of iconic features that have made a big impact on the series," continued Boon. "There have been so many that we can no longer include all of them in every version of the game. So, we like to give them a rest for a few games and then bring them back in all of their glory with the latest technology to back them up. We did that with Babalities in *Mortal Kombat 9*, and now we felt it was time to bring back the Friendship moves. It’s fun, because people will miss them and then it’s a bigger deal when they return."

There will be four added stages in the Aftermath expansion: the Dead Pool stage from Mortal Kombat II, the Soul Chamber from Mortal Kombat 3, a new stage outside Kronika's Keep, and a new stage called RetroKade, which pays homage to past MK games with arcade machines and movie set-inspired backgrounds of old levels.

Also making their return are Stage Fatalities, which allow you to knock your opponent into the background of the level, where he or she will be finished off in grisly fashion. One of the confirmed Stage Fatalities is the notorious Dead Pool Fatality from Mortal Kombat II, which reduces your opponent to a bleached skeleton in a pool of acid. — youtu.be

There will be four added stages in the *Aftermath* expansion: the Dead Pool stage from *Mortal Kombat II*, the Soul Chamber from *Mortal Kombat 3*, a new stage outside Kronika's Keep, and a new stage called RetroKade, which pays homage to past MK games with arcade machines and movie set-inspired backgrounds of old levels.

Also making their return are Stage Fatalities, which allow you to knock your opponent into the background of the level, where he or she will be finished off in grisly fashion. One of the confirmed Stage Fatalities is the notorious Dead Pool Fatality from *Mortal Kombat II*, which reduces your opponent to a bleached skeleton in a pool of acid.

youtu.be

There will be four added stages in the *Aftermath* expansion: the Dead Pool stage from *Mortal Kombat II*, the Soul Chamber from *Mortal Kombat 3*, a new stage outside Kronika's Keep, and a new stage called RetroKade, which pays homage to past MK games with arcade machines and movie set-inspired backgrounds of old levels.

Also making their return are Stage Fatalities, which allow you to knock your opponent into the background of the level, where he or she will be finished off in grisly fashion. One of the confirmed Stage Fatalities is the notorious Dead Pool Fatality from *Mortal Kombat II*, which reduces your opponent to a bleached skeleton in a pool of acid.

If you already own Mortal Kombat 11, the extra stages, Friendship finishers, and Stage Fatalities come as part of a free update on May 26. But you still have to pay for the story content and extra characters. — youtu.be

If you already own *Mortal Kombat 11*, the extra stages, Friendship finishers, and Stage Fatalities come as part of a free update on May 26. But you still have to pay for the story content and extra characters.

youtu.be

If you already own *Mortal Kombat 11*, the extra stages, Friendship finishers, and Stage Fatalities come as part of a free update on May 26. But you still have to pay for the story content and extra characters.

If you don't own Mortal Kombat 11 and are starting from scratch, your best bet is to buy the

Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Kollection, which includes the base game, the April 2019 Kombat Pack (which includes six extra playable characters and a variety of skin packs), and the Aftermath expansion. It retails for $59.99.

If you own Mortal Kombat 11 only, you can buy the Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Bundle, which is the Kombat Pack and the Aftermath expansion in one digital package. That retails for $49.99. Lastly, if you own both Mortal Kombat 11 and the Kombat Pack, you can buy the Aftermath expansion, by itself, for $39.99.

Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath is available as a digital download on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Stadia, right now. It'll be available in physical form this June. — youtu.be

If you don't own *Mortal Kombat 11* and are starting from scratch, your best bet is to buy the

*Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Kollection*, which includes the base game, the April 2019 Kombat Pack (which includes six extra playable characters and a variety of skin packs), and the *Aftermath* expansion. It retails for $59.99.

If you own *Mortal Kombat 11* only, you can buy the *Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Bundle*, which is the Kombat Pack and the *Aftermath* expansion in one digital package. That retails for $49.99. Lastly, if you own both *Mortal Kombat 11* and the Kombat Pack, you can buy the *Aftermath* expansion, by itself, for $39.99.

*Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath* is available as a digital download on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Stadia, right now. It'll be available in physical form this June.

youtu.be

If you don't own *Mortal Kombat 11* and are starting from scratch, your best bet is to buy the

*Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Kollection*, which includes the base game, the April 2019 Kombat Pack (which includes six extra playable characters and a variety of skin packs), and the *Aftermath* expansion. It retails for $59.99.

If you own *Mortal Kombat 11* only, you can buy the *Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Bundle*, which is the Kombat Pack and the *Aftermath* expansion in one digital package. That retails for $49.99. Lastly, if you own both *Mortal Kombat 11* and the Kombat Pack, you can buy the *Aftermath* expansion, by itself, for $39.99.

*Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath* is available as a digital download on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Stadia, right now. It'll be available in physical form this June.

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Everything You Need To Know About 'Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath'

Story expansion

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Fujin returns

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Sheeva returns

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Meet Robocop

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Mileena?

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Friendships

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New stages, new fatalities

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What's free?

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Packages, bundles, and prices

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