It had potential…
In a surprising move, Mortal Kombat Onslaught, the mobile RPG spin-off of the legendary Mortal Kombat series, is being discontinued. Launched in 2023, Mortal Kombat Onslaught offered fans a unique departure from the traditional fighting mechanics of the franchise. However, despite its innovative gameplay and a roster filled with iconic characters, NetherRealm Studios has decided to end support for the game.
In this post, we’ll explore what Mortal Kombat Onslaught was, why it’s being discontinued, and how this decision impacts the future of the Mortal Kombat franchise.
What Was Mortal Kombat Onslaught?
Mortal Kombat Onslaught was a mobile game that blended RPG elements with the Mortal Kombat universe. Instead of the usual 1v1 fighting, Onslaught focused on tactical, team-based battles where players collected and upgraded a roster of characters from the series.
Here’s a breakdown of the game’s core elements:
- Character Collection: Players could unlock and collect dozens of characters from the Mortal Kombat franchise, including favorites like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Liu Kang. Each character had different abilities and could be upgraded for more powerful attacks.
- Team-Based Combat: Rather than the usual fighting game structure, Onslaught allowed players to assemble teams of characters and engage in real-time, strategic battles.
- RPG Progression: As players advanced, they earned gear, leveled up their characters, and unlocked special moves, adding a layer of customization that allowed for deeper team synergy.
- PvE and PvP Modes: The game featured both player-vs-environment (PvE) story missions and player-vs-player (PvP) modes, allowing for competitive gameplay while following the franchise’s lore.
While Mortal Kombat Onslaught wasn’t a traditional fighting game, it appealed to fans of both the franchise and mobile RPGs, giving them a new way to engage with their favorite characters and stories.
Why Is Mortal Kombat Onslaught Being Discontinued?
NetherRealm Studios’ decision to discontinue Mortal Kombat Onslaught has raised questions, especially among its dedicated player base. While there hasn’t been an official detailed explanation, several factors likely contributed to the game’s end.
1. Declining Player Engagement
Like many mobile games, Mortal Kombat Onslaught depended heavily on maintaining a large, active player base to keep its servers running and to justify ongoing content development. Despite a strong launch, it’s possible that player numbers declined over time, leading to a lower return on investment for the game’s continued support. Without the necessary engagement, it’s common for mobile games to struggle financially.
2. Tough Competition in the Mobile Space
The mobile RPG market is highly competitive, with popular games like Genshin Impact, Raid: Shadow Legends, and AFK Arena dominating the space. Even though Onslaught had the Mortal Kombat name attached to it, the mobile RPG genre’s landscape is challenging, and keeping players consistently engaged requires frequent updates, new content, and monetization strategies that can sometimes alienate players if not executed properly.
3. Focus on Core Mortal Kombat Games
NetherRealm Studios is known for its high-quality fighting games, and with the release of Mortal Kombat 1 in 2023, their focus might have shifted back to refining and updating their mainline titles. Onslaught was an experiment in expanding the franchise into different genres, but now it seems the team is refocusing on what Mortal Kombat does best—competitive, fast-paced fighting.
By discontinuing Onslaught, NetherRealm may be reallocating its resources toward new projects or expanding upon existing ones that have stronger engagement.
What Does This Mean for Mortal Kombat Fans?
The discontinuation of Mortal Kombat Onslaught marks the end of an interesting chapter in the franchise’s evolution, but it’s not all bad news. Here’s how this change might impact the Mortal Kombat community:
1. Focus on the Core Fighting Experience
With the end of Onslaught, NetherRealm is likely to double down on its core fighting games. This means that players who enjoy Mortal Kombat for its traditional combat mechanics can expect more attention given to balance updates, DLC characters, and possible expansions for Mortal Kombat 1. The studio has a history of supporting its mainline games for years after release, so there’s a lot to look forward to in terms of competitive play and content.
2. Mobile Players Can Still Play Mortal Kombat Mobile
For mobile players who are disappointed by the loss of Onslaught, it’s worth noting that Mortal Kombat Mobile (formerly Mortal Kombat X Mobile) is still being actively supported. While it doesn’t have the RPG mechanics that Onslaught offered, it’s a solid option for fans who enjoy taking the fight on the go. Mortal Kombat Mobile has been a staple in the mobile gaming world for years and continues to receive updates with new characters, challenges, and events.
3. Potential for New Experiments
While Mortal Kombat Onslaught may not have succeeded in the long run, it’s important to remember that game studios like NetherRealm are always experimenting with new ways to keep their franchises fresh. Onslaught represented an attempt to innovate within the Mortal Kombat universe, and while it didn’t have the lasting power of the mainline games, it shows the studio’s willingness to push boundaries. It’s possible that we could see other unique spin-offs or expansions in the future that explore new genres or playstyles.
Final Thoughts
The end of Mortal Kombat Onslaught is bittersweet. It was a unique attempt to blend the beloved Mortal Kombat characters and lore with RPG elements, giving fans a fresh way to experience the franchise. However, its discontinuation signals that NetherRealm Studios may be refocusing its efforts on what made Mortal Kombat legendary in the first place: high-octane, visceral fighting.
While mobile fans may be disappointed by this news, it opens the door for future innovations and a deeper focus on the competitive and narrative aspects of the core Mortal Kombat experience. For now, we say goodbye to Onslaught, but we remain excited for what’s next in the world of Mortal Kombat.
