Mortal Kombat 4

About Mortal Kombat 4

Mortal Kombat 4 dropped on September 11, 1997, shifting the series into full 3D territory for the first time. Midway Games developed this entry across arcade, PC, PlayStation, N64, and Dreamcast platforms. You face off in one versus one combat against fifteen starter fighters plus unlockable characters like Shinnok, Fujin, and Kai. The story sees the banished Elder God Shinnok escape the Netherrealm with Quan Chi to conquer Edenia and strike back at his captors. Raiden gathers Earthrealm warriors including Liu Kang, Sub Zero, and Scorpion to stop him. Goro returns as a final boss threat in this transition title that kept the brutal signature style while updating the visuals.

Gameplay

You control one of the roster to defeat an opponent in a three-round match using standard directional inputs and attack buttons. The game introduces new 3D movement mechanics like dashing and wall jumping alongside classic special moves and fatalities. A typical session involves picking a character, studying their move list, and navigating the stage while managing health bars. You can play through single player modes where you fight through AI opponents or tackle the co-op versus mode with a friend. The controls feel tight on arcade hardware but vary slightly on home consoles like the N64. Combos require precise timing to chain heavy attacks together for maximum damage before finishing the fight with a cinematic kill move.

What Players Think

PlayPile data shows mixed feelings about this specific entry compared to its predecessors. IGDB lists a score of 69.9 out of 100 based on two hundred ratings, suggesting the transition to 3D alienated some fans. Community moods fluctuate between nostalgia for classic characters and criticism of the new mechanics. Average playtime hovers around fifteen hours for casual players finishing single player campaigns, though competitive users rack up hundreds more in multiplayer matches. Completion rates drop off significantly after the first few bosses as the difficulty curve spikes. Review snippets often mention the unlockable roster as a major plus while complaining about frame data changes that made combos harder to execute than in previous 2D titles.

PlayPile's Take

This game is worth playing if you want to see how Midway handled the jump from 2D sprites to polygon models without losing the series identity. The price point is low on modern storefronts, making it a cheap addition for fighting game collectors. There are no major achievements listed for the original release, so expect zero grinding for trophies. Players who enjoy fast-paced combat and iconic characters like Scorpion will find plenty of value here despite the dated graphics. Avoid this if you demand modern netcode or polished tutorials since the learning curve is steep and unforgiving. The roster depth saves it from being a forgettable sequel in the lineup.

Storyline

Thousands of years before the setting of the first game, Shinnok, one of the Elder Gods who control the six realms in the Mortal Kombat universe, attempted to become the conqueror of them all. Thunder god Raiden fought and defeated Shinnok in a war that spanned hundreds of years, sending him to the Netherrealm, where he would be trapped forever. Now, Shinnok has managed to escape from the Netherealm with help from the sorcerer Quan Chi, and seeks vengeance against the Elder Gods who banished him. In his plan, he first conquers the realm of Edenia, with the aid of a traitor, Tanya, while he prepares to attack the Elder Gods. In order to stop Shinnok's menace, Raiden requests help from the Earthrealm warriors who saved the realms from Emperor Shao Kahn in previous titles.