Surprisingly, new characters were not the focus in my recent walkthrough of Mortal Kombat X with Brian Goodman from NetherRealm Studios, despite the latest reveals of both Reptile and Ermac on the roster. Instead, the developer wanted to show off how Mortal Kombat X was revamping the fan-favorite Challenge Towers and adding a multiplayer meta-game known as Factions.
Sure, they let me fiddle around with Kung Lao's hat throws, Cassie Cage's ball-busting X-ray attack, and Kitana's deadly fan maneuvers. Fighting against Abel Girmay from Destructoid, we traded blows while I tried out the new characters and he showed off his recall for Fatalities, even figuring out Kitana's fatality even though it was meant to be disabled or removed from the build we played.
But after a handful of well-contended matches, we headed into the new Living Towers mode, an expansion on the fan-favorite Challenge Towers. Instead of one tall tower consisting of 300 challenges and side games in the last Mortal Kombat, there will be three towers of different lengths that will constantly change; hence, the "Living" descriptor. The shortest Quick Tower will only have five challenges that refresh once every two to three hours, while the slightly more difficult Daily Tower will feature eight challenges. For a longer challenge, you can head through the Premiere Tower that will be themed around special events like important Mortal Kombat dates, EVO 2015, or perhaps even Ed Boon's birthday. (Just an idea, guys!)
Some examples of challenges that we experienced were moving lasers that deal light damage and constant streams of Cyrex bombs being littered about the battlefield, breaking combos, sending you and the opponent into the air, and making you watch your step. One of the crazier challenges is the slow start, which has both fighters have extremely slow attacks but gradually makes them move faster and faster as the match progresses. Most of the other challenges are dangerous, like Demon Hands and Rain Assist, which will make you entirely vulnerable if you're not careful.
While you will need an online connection to access Living Towers, you will want one since it will contribute to your progress in Factions. Described by Brian Goodman as an "online meta-game," you can join one of five factions: White Lotus, Brotherhood of Shadow, Special Forces, Black Dragon, and Lin Kuei (totally mine). In a nice touch, choosing one of these factions will turn the menu backgrounds in the game to that faction.
As you complete challenges and any of the modes in the game, you will earn War Points and Faction Points that will be featured on your profile card. Ascend high enough in your faction and you'll receive faction-specific rewards like cosmetic rewards and even special fatalities. You can switch factions at any time, but you'll lose these rewards so choose wisely. Out of concern of cheating, I asked whether there would be measures to counter the possibility that there are too many people who choose to be a part of one faction, and Goodman said that there would.
Mortal Kombat X still has several modes, features, and characters left unannounced before it's release date of April 14, 2015 for PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, and Xbox 360. I still think that the three variations per character would make for excellent Marvel vs. Capcom tag team mode with crazy assists, but who knows? You can read more about Mortal Kombat X in my prior preview.
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