Mortal Kombat 1 Stress Test Highlights Input Clarity Issues
The highly anticipated Mortal Kombat 1 (MK1) stress test has come and gone, leaving players with a taste of the upcoming bloody battles. While the test provided valuable insights and revealed exciting details about the game, such as the return of Quitalities and hard-hitting Kombos, one aspect has drawn significant criticism from the Mortal Kombat community: the move input instructions.
The Input Dilemma: Arrows or Controller Directions?
A vocal portion of the MK fanbase has expressed their dissatisfaction with the new move input format showcased in the stress test. According to Reddit user mattyboy555, who tweeted their feedback directly to Ed Boon, the series co-creator, the inputs should revert to the traditional arrow-based system, as it is easier to read at a glance.
The user provided a screenshot illustrating the difference between the old and new formats. The revamped version on the left, displaying controller directions instead of arrows, appears to be more challenging to decipher compared to the straightforward directional format of previous games.
| Old Format (Arrows) | New Format (Controller Directions) |
|---|---|
| ⬆️⬇️⬅️➡️ | 🔼🔽◀️▶️ |
| Easy to read | Slightly harder to decipher |
“Glad I’m not the only one who thought this looked weird in the stress test,” commented one player, while another admitted to being “actually confused looking at the UI on the left.”
Missing Move Previews: A Step Back in Accessibility
Another concern raised by the community was the absence of move previews, a feature that has become standard in recent fighting games.
As one observant player pointed out, “This is the first fighting game in the last two years where they don’t give you a little GIF preview of the move. MK was leading the charge on accessibility, but now you can’t even map moves to the screen.”
NetherRealm’s Opportunity for Improvement
With the game’s release date set for September 19, NetherRealm still has time to address these concerns and refine the user experience. The upcoming full beta for the title will provide an additional opportunity for the team to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.
As the Mortal Kombat franchise continues to evolve, it’s crucial for NetherRealm to strike a balance between innovation and accessibility, ensuring that the game remains enjoyable and user-friendly for both seasoned veterans and newcomers alike.
