Kano stabbing his way into Mortal Kombat X

 

For those worrying that the upcoming Mortal Kombat X will feature too many fresh faces and too little of the ones the thirty-somethings among us grew up with, a new trailer reveals that classic combatant Kano will be part of the game’s growing roster of murderous maniacs.

 

Kano, the franchise’s cybernetically enhanced ruffian from Down Under, is one of the seven original playable characters in the inaugural Mortal Kombat game released in claustrophobic arcades in 1992. Now he joins series staples Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Raiden, and newcomers D’Vorah, Ferra/Tor, Kotal Kahn, and Cassie Cage in the sequel to 2011’s phenomenally awesome soft reboot of Mortal Kombat.

 

 

The trailer shows Kano, in all his shirtless glory, facing off against creepy insect muchacha D’Vorah. Creative director Ed Boon describes Kano as “older, but with all his cybernetic upgrades, he’s deadlier than ever.” Boon then discusses the fighter’s three distinct fighting styles – or, in keeping with the game’s nomenclature, “Variations”.

 

The Cutthroat Variation gives Kano a green, glowing heart, which powers up his knife attacks for quick, brutal combos. It also has him throwing those blades for juicy, long distance impalement.

 

With the Cybernetic Variation, our bearded crook focuses on utilizing his cybernetic enhancements to pepper his foes with grenades and eye laser strikes. These tools give him a cheap, long range advantage, as well as robust anti-air defensive capabilities.

 

Lastly, there’s the Commando Variation. This turns our sociopath into a grappler only too keen on getting his sweaty arms around you, and pressing your face to the floor with his chest. In addition, this powerful close range style allows him to counter high and low attacks.

 

Lastly, we get to see Kano’s face-poking fatality in action. Toasty!

 

Also revealed in the trailer is a new jungle stage, which Boon describes as “ancient ruins overgrown with wilderness that was once home to a now-forgotten Outworld race.” It exhibits the same amount of gorgeous detail as the previously unveiled stages, complete with icky green muck, vines dangling from branches, and the aforementioned ruins festering in the background.

 

Expect Mortal Kombat X to launch next year on all major platforms. — TJD, GMA News