With the announcement of a new DLC pack and a next-generation upgrade, Mortal Kombat 11 will be receiving a new surge of life as it begins the journey for fighting games on the next-generation platforms as a launch title. In conjunction with an upgraded version of the game, MK11 will also be receiving a second Kombat Pack DLC, bringing three more characters and a variety of new costumes into the fray. With this new DLC, Mortal Kombat 11 looks to be answering the requests of long-time fans with the return of two fan favorites.
The Edenian demi-god Rain returns to the roster in his first playable appearance since his turn as DLC in Mortal Kombat (2011). In filling what has become a traditional spot in NetherRealm Studios' DLC releases, John Rambo will be making an appearance as the latest guest character to join the fray. To complete the second Kombat Pack, NetherRealm Studios answered the call of the fanbase with the return of Mileena, Kitana's Tarkatan clone created in the Flesh Pits by Shang Tsung.
Mileena's last playable appearance was in Mortal Kombat X, where she had ascended to the throne as Kahnum of Outworld after the death of Shao Kahn. Fans may notice that this iteration of Mileena looks to have been taken from before those events due to Kronika's manipulation of time, with Mileena's garb and facial features more closely resembling her roots rather than the look she donned as Outworld's new ruler. Her gameplay, however, appears to reconcile these different versions into a brutal combination of eras.
How Mileena in Mortal Kombat 11 Calls Back To Past MK Games
As shown in the gameplay trailer released by NetherRealm Studios, Mileena's moveset looks to borrow elements from her entire history in the franchise. Her special attacks tell the story of her history in Mortal Kombat, with old favorites such as the Tele-Kick and Air Sai Blasts returning. MK11's Mileena also received new variants on old stand-bys, with her low Ball Roll receiving a version with a low, sliding trip which, when amplified, results in Mileena mauling her downed target, teleporting them through the floor before launching two Sais into their head as they return to the plane of combat.
Mileena's zoning game is as vicious as ever in Mortal Kombat 11, with her Sai Blasts and Air Sai Blasts receiving amplified versions that fire double the shots, and her traditional Sai Blasts firing high and low. Mileena also receives a version of her Sai Blasts that fires from a split, aiming at the knees and can result in a Krushing Blow. This gives Mileena a more devastating zoning presence than ever before, but it is also possible that any tournament-viable variation may force players to pick one strength over another.
Outside of her zoning strengths, Mileena in Mortal Kombat 11 seems to be able to combo with a speed and grace akin to her previous iteration, with the ability to combo into grabs with relative ease and using her Ball Roll and Tele-Kick to extend juggles for longer periods of time. To make matters even more frightening, Mileena has been given the ability to turn invisible in a callback to her Ethereal variant in MKX. Fans of the series will find plenty of elements in her playstyle that are familiar with the aspects that they loved in the past, keeping Mileena's playstyle as quick and vicious as before while also giving her new twists for her long-awaited return to the game.
With the demand for a character like Mileena, it was important for NetherRealm Studios to keep her playstyle familiar and consistent while adding to it based on the different systems in Mortal Kombat 11. As her moveset draws from her entire history, it is safe to say that fans will be extremely pleased with the latest iteration of the former Kahnum, as her rip-and-tear playstyle is complimented by zoning capabilities and mind-games. Mortal Kombat 11 looks to have done the Kahnum justice in her return to the fray.