When Midway Games created “Mortal Kombat” and released it in 1992, it seemed like an incredible risk. Nintendo had dominated the video game industry and didn’t include over-the-top violence that was in Mortal Kombat. However, the game was a smash hit, which brought about the birth of the ESRB Ratings System and mature video games. Yet, over the years, future entries in the Mortal Kombat series were lacking in lust and playability and seemed to be on its last legs.

That all changed in 2010, when Midway filed for bankruptcy and were bought out by Warner Bros. With the future of Mortal Kombat put into question, some folks from Midway declared they wouldn’t let their creation die easily and formed Netherrealm Studios. From there, they were able to reinvent their series and create “Mortal Kombat 9”, the game’s big comeback to its blood-stained roots and kills. After receiving critical acclaim and several awards, Netherrealm decided to continue its drive with “Mortal Kombat X”.

Writer’s Note: This contains heavy spoilers for the recent Mortal Kombat games. If you don’t want to be spoiled, skip the following paragraph.

The game’s story takes place 27 years after the defeat of Shao Kahn, 25 years since the fallen Elder God Shinnok was sealed away. Although the losses of Kitana, Kung Lao, and Liu Kang due to that fateful tournament still lingered in Raiden’s mind, life moved on. Scorpion, now fully human, has reformed the Shirai Ryu clan and made peace with his once rival, the also restored Sub-Zero. However, the amulet containing Shinnok is stolen by Mileena and Kano, who have plans to release Shinnok. With a new villain called Kotal Khan and his goons aiming to rule the realms, along with Quan Chi still being on the loose, the Champions of Earthrealm have no choice but to start fighting again. Joining them is the next generation of heroes trained by Scorpion: Kung Jin, younger cousin of Kung Lao; Jacqui Briggs, daughter of Jax; Takeda Takahashi, son of Kenshi; and Cassie Cage, daughter of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade.

Ed Boon, the main game director, told people at E3 2014 that “We really wanted to step up our game. New characters, new gameplay elements, new things to mix things up.” Well, to be frank, that’s all apparent in this entry. The X-Ray Moves and Combo Breakers are back, but this time with interactive stage elements. Characters now have three different ways to fight. You can now kill others the quick way with Brutalities. And of course, the signature Fatalities are all included, now taken up to eleven and in full blood for all fans of Mortal Kombat.