Mortal Kombat 1’s network test shows promise on Xbox Series X and Series S

Mortal Kombat 1: A Masterclass in Game Reveal

The announcement of Mortal Kombat 1 just a few months before its release date on September 19th has proven to be a masterclass in game reveal. This was further reinforced by the release of the game’s first network stress test over the weekend, allowing gamers worldwide to get a taste of the latest installment in the Mortal Kombat series. As someone who participated in the test on Series X and Series S, I have some insights to share on the early resolution and performance numbers, as well as my subjective impressions of the game’s graphics and technology.

Transitioning from Selection Screen to Fight

One of the standout features of Mortal Kombat 1 is its seamless transition from the selection screen to the fight itself. As soon as a match is found, the two default fighters emerge from the treeline and the selection window appears seamlessly. Choosing your fighter and Kameo leads to both competitors assuming MK3-like poses. The background, although out of focus due to the camera zoom, changes based on the highlighted stage. There are no cuts or interruptions in this transition, creating a smooth and immersive experience.

Impressive Visuals and Animation

Mortal Kombat 1 boasts stunning visuals that look even better in motion than what was suggested by the low-bitrate YouTube trailer. On Series X, the game aims for a full native 4K resolution, although dynamic resolution comes into play with pixel counts slightly below 2160p depending on the action. On Series S, 1440p is common during cinematic sequences, but it can drop to around 1080p during battles. However, the graphical settings remain identical between the two platforms.

It’s nice to see a game that runs near identically on Xbox Series X and S, with only resolution differing.

The high-quality character models in Mortal Kombat 1 feature expressive faces, realistic-looking skin, and textured outfits. The cloth and blood fluid simulation in the game are also impressive, with virtual cloth exhibiting realistic flexibility and the blood system presenting fluid trails of droplets with each attack. The animation stays true to the Mortal Kombat style, with per-pixel character motion blur adding a subtle but great touch. The backgrounds are also noteworthy, with well-crafted materials, subtle shadowing, and realistic physics for smaller items.

Mortal Kombat 1 Screenshot — The blood that accompanies each hit is a bit gristly, but is beautifully lit by its surroundings.

Solid Performance and Online Gameplay

In terms of performance, Mortal Kombat 1 runs at a solid 60fps on both Series X and Series S. However, pre-match cinematics, Fatal Blows, and Fatalities are rendered at 30fps. While it’s a shame that these scenes don’t experience the full frame-rate, the excellent motion blur compensates for it and ensures they still look great. Both Xbox versions of the game perform well and showcase impressive visuals, with occasional minor internet-related hiccups during online play, mostly limited to pre-match sequences. The final version on Xbox consoles, PC, and PS5 is highly anticipated and expected to deliver good results.

Switch Version and Visual Quality

One question mark remains regarding the Switch version of Mortal Kombat 1. While MK11 suffered a significant loss in visual quality on the platform, the wider support for Switch on UE4 may result in a slightly better-looking experience this time. We will have to wait and see how it compares to other versions.