Multiverse Fatigue: How the MCU’s Decline Mirrors Mortal Kombat 1’s Struggles

Tired of the multiverse trend? This article explores how the overuse of the multiverse concept is contributing to the decline of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Mortal Kombat 1, leading to a phenomenon of "multiverse fatigue" that’s leaving fans disillusioned.

[Tankbusta40]

Fighting games just aren't worth purchasing anymore. The focus on DLC packs and microtransactions are downright predatory. Its best to just wait for the Komplete edition.

[PrecursorOrb]

I wish they would do a single player adventure game. They really need to do something new imo

[Inverno]

The same can be said bout every MP game since the PS360 gen. But by the time a complete edition releases publishers announce the next entry in a series and they fragment the fan base forcing those who wanna play the previous game to buy into the next which is often broken and barebones. It's a vicious cycle of mediocrity.

[Lexreborn2]

It’s not that they aren’t worth it, they are indeed worth it. The DLC is the tougher sell, I’m glad we aren’t getting new editions every 2 years with clone roster marginal changes. It’s how do you sell the addition of character in a meaningful way?

If a fighting game is going to last 6-8 years season passes are a must. SF6 so far is partially getting it right. SF4 would get practically 6 characters a season now we are getting 4. I would prefer 6 in a yearly pass at 20-30 bucks.

I play sf6 a lot! I’m at 1300 hours, I’ve made my moneys worth and continue to do so. Others such as Tekken etc. I don’t invest as much in, but it’s okay too because I just enjoy what I enjoy.

If you aren’t really into fighters then buying Day 1 is almost never worth it because 1 you probably want the story more then the competition.

[outsider1624]

You're not kidding. Just got myself MK11 ultimate edition for cheap.

[Smellsforfree]

I don't like this trend of carving out characters from the original game and selling them a week or two after launch as DLC extras.

[PapaBop]

I don't think the fans would call them predatory, while I can see why more casual players and outsiders would see it this way but many fans of the games will be playing them for years to come, most want to see new characters and cool outfits. SF5 for example released in an awful state but over the years grew into a reasonably good game, I know myself and many others were playing it up until SF6 came out and will likely be playing SF6 until SF7 comes out.

[VersusDMC]

Multiverse fatigue doesn't exist going by deadpool & wolverine hitting a billion. Pretty sure everyone is still eagerly awaiting the new spider verse movie as well.

And i doubt that's the problem people have with mortal kombat. And if it is, I believe it's not the multiverse itself but the execution.

[senorfartcushion]

One movie making money doesn't rule out multiverse fatigue. They even mention the fatigue within the script of Deadpool and Wolverine.

[soulreaper37]

There really hasnt been much multiverse stuff in the MCU yet. Its really just getting started. Lots of people have been eagerly awaiting multiverse content in the MCU. The MCU is just barely scratching the surface on the topic. This is golden age of comic book movies and hope they never go back isolated types of movies. I have waited too many decades to finally see this come around finally

[CrimsonWing69]

I’m pretty sure it’s the monetization that’s the core of MK1’s struggles. I think the story is really good, honestly. Just the “corporate milking of the consumer” practice is off-putting.

[senorfartcushion]

Crossovers and terrible monetisation is to blame

[PhillyDonJawn]

Has 0 to do with that. The story simply wasn't as interesting and the fighting and small details weren't what ppl wanted. The story didn't even get multiversal till the end. It's more of a soft reboot

[Azurite]

*Bad/bland movie/game fatigue.

[hollabox]

The rebooted story was whack. WB followed the typical trope of unattractive females like Tanya. Wow, of course demon ladies, and they made Johnny Cage too cocky in a cartoonish way. The past few MK games Cage had more confidence, especially MKX than cockiness. Cassie Cage comes off as a cheap version of her father. Sonya Blade scowl, yuck, just have a damn normal face from time to time. Sub Zero and Scorpion, WTF, like what is this crap? Shao Kahn now just a General with women in charge. I gave up on it, the story was cringe. The fatalities were lackluster. Visually I think MK11 characters are better. Mk1 probably has better backgrounds, but the characters models I just wasn't feeling it. I'm guessing WB will reboot the series again or act like Mk1 didn't happen. I also hate how fighting games are essentially games as a service without the required always on connection. Paying for arenas, skins, and characters through out the year. Disappointing, and I feared they would go down this path after MK11 Aftermath.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

For me, fighting games lost all their magic after the PS2 generation, anything from there prior had a good selection of characters, and plenty of costumes to choose from (I love Dead or Alive 2 and Soulcalibur II). Sometime after that, we got multiple editions of the same games, nickle and dimmed for costumes and fighters, bare-bone character rosters... Personally, one of the more recent fighting games I'm pretty pleased with is Guilty Gear Strive, I feel like it's not as bad with the DLC packs if you wait for a sale.

I also dislike the addition of all these extra gameplay systems in a lot of newer games, I know it spices things up for the veteran players, but it just creates a bigger barrier for entry when there's already a big barrier for entry in fighting games.

Also, I'm tired of the multi-verse, it makes sense for a small number of franchises, but it's not my favourite plot device.

[Walalon]

I think the "multiverse fatigue" goes on two ways here:

On one hand, the movie super hero theme it's overexploited to the point we are tired or don't care anymore.

And on the MK1 thing it's more a MTX situation with a bad game, mk1 it's not an awesome fighting game and we can see it more with the flourish of new titles like SF6, Tekken 8 and we have Garou on the horizon that show us there are better fighting games to play than NetherRealm last attempt to burn the franchise, adding the thing that the new season pass cost $40(or more idk) and every skin costs more than indie games for example. That's why MK1 it's struggling, for exploiting MTX to a point that it's disgusting and they are paying the price.

[Terry_B]

Compare the females from older Mk games up to MK 9,,they were sexy. IN Mk1..and for the most part in MKX and MK 11 they were not anymore. While the most male characters look like they are coming from a gay erotic movie.