Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:26, 23 September 2005

Latest revision as of 23:38, 3 August 2025

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{{Short description|2005 video game}}

{{Spoiler}}

{{Infobox CVGvideo game
| title = Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

| image = [[Image:PS2MKSM.JPG|200px|Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]]

| caption = North American PS2 cover artwork featuring [[Goro (Mortal Kombat)|Goro]] in the background, and [[Kung Lao]], [[Liu Kang (Mortal Kombat)|Liu Kang]], [[Baraka (Mortal Kombat)|Baraka]] and [[Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)|Scorpion]] in the foreground

| developer = [[Midway Games|Midway]]

| developer = [[Midway Studios Los Angeles]]

| publisher = [[Midway Games|Midway]]

| designerdirector = [[Ed Boon]]

| producer = Ed Boon <br> Shaun Himmerick <br> Barclay Smith

| engine =

| artist = Steve Beran <br> Tony Goskie<br> Mark Lappin

| released = [[September 16]], [[2005]]

| designer = Adam Puhl <br> John Edwards <br> Luke Whiteside

GameCube (TBD)

| programmer = David Gautrey

| genre = [[Beat 'em up]]

| composer = {{Plainlist|

| modes = [[Single player]], [[multiplayer]]

* Chase Ashbaker

| ratings = [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: Mature (M)

* Richard Carle

| platforms = [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2|PS2]], [[Xbox]]

* Brian Chard

| media =

* Vincent Pontarelli

| requirements =

| input =

}}

| writer = James Krueger<br> John Vogel <br> Jon Greenberg

| engine =

| series = ''[[Mortal Kombat]]''

| released = {{vgrelease|NA|September 19, 2005<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2005|title=Midway Ships ''Mortal Kombat®: Shaolin Monks™'' for PlayStation®2 and Xbox®|url=http://www.midway.com/rxpage/mpr_3516.html |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109145408/http://www.midway.com/rxpage/mpr_3516.html |archive-date=November 9, 2006}}</ref>|PAL|September 30, 2005<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=September 30, 2005 |title=What's New? (Super Catch-Up Alpha Plus 3) |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/a-whatsnew-300905 |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keller |first=Matt |date=September 26, 2005 |title=Updated Australian Release List - 26/09/05 |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3129&sid=eb7471f40fd239d4799d6dc23dafbc01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051210160133/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3129&sid=eb7471f40fd239d4799d6dc23dafbc01 |archive-date=December 10, 2005 |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=PALGN}}</ref>}}

| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]], [[beat 'em up]]

| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]

| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]

}}

'''''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks''''' is a 2005 [[action-adventure game]] developed and published by [[Midway Games|Midway]] for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Goes Gold|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks-goes-gold/1100-6132756/|access-date=2009-11-23|archive-date=2015-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511030718/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks-goes-gold/1100-6132756/|url-status=live}}</ref> A spin-off of the ''[[Mortal Kombat]]'' franchise, it is a retelling of the events of ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'' (1993). Players control the eponymous [[Shaolin Monastery|Shaolin]] monks [[Liu Kang]] and [[Kung Lao]] in either single player or cooperative play as they protect Earthrealm from the forces of Outworld.

A spin-off centered on Liu Kang had been considered since the early 2000s, but was shelved after negative reception to the previous adventure spin-offs, ''[[Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero|Mythologies: Sub-Zero]]'' (1997) and ''[[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces|Special Forces]]'' (2000). ''Shaolin Monks'' was officially announced in 2004 as part of Midway's plan to release ''Mortal Kombat'' games annually. Developed with the intent of appealing to ''Mortal Kombat'' fans, ''Shaolin Monks'' incorporates elements from the fighting game entries, including [[Fatality (Mortal Kombat)|Fatalities]], combos, and a versus mode.

'''''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks''''' is the ninth game in the controversial and bloody ''[[Mortal Kombat]]'' series. ''Shaolin Monks'' is being developed and published by [[Midway Games|Midway]] for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox]] and was realesed [[September 16]], [[2005]]. A [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] version is also being made, but its release date is not known at this time.

Released in North America on September 19, 2005, the game received positive reviews for transitioning the series into an adventure game and its co-op mode, although reception to the narrative, visuals and short length were mixed. It was also a commercial success, selling over one million copies.

''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' follows ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]'', although the timeline of the game has it take place at the end of ''Mortal Kombat'' and before ''[[Mortal Kombat II]].''

==Gameplay==

[[File:Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks gameplay.png|thumb|left|A gameplay screenshot of [[Liu Kang]] fighting against [[Oni]] enemies]]

The game features three main modes of play. Aside from a [[single-player video game|single-player mode]], the game has a co-operative mode, where two players can work together through the game, with access to some areas and items that are inaccessible in single-player mode. There is also a versus mode, where two players can fight against each other in some of the arenas featured in the game.<ref name="teamxboxinter"/> In addition, players can play a shortened, censored demo version of ''[[The Suffering: Ties That Bind]]'' as well as an emulated arcade perfect version of ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'' (which is taken from [[Midway Arcade Treasures 2]]; developed by [[Backbone Entertainment|Digital Eclipse]]).

In a statement given following the release of ''Deception'' in [[October 2004]], Midway president David F. Zucker said a new game in the series would arrive each year. "''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' is also our first step toward delivering something that ''Mortal Kombat'' fans have been calling for: a new game set in the ''Mortal Kombat'' universe every year. We are planning our ''Mortal Kombat'' release schedule with the expectation that we will deliver a new ''Mortal Kombat'' title annually." [http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/22/news_6111245.html]

''Shaolin Monks'' features a multi-directional combat system, which gives players the ability to attack any of the enemies that surround them fluidly. The engine allows the player to maintain [[Combo (video gaming)|combo attacks]] across multiple enemies, and even continue their combos after launching an enemy into the air through a powerful attack or a throw. The main characters also have many of their signature moves from the series.<ref name="teamxboxinter"/> Combos and special moves are upgradeable through the earning of experience points. These are mainly gained through defeating opponents, with the combo system multiplying the value. The environment plays a vital role in the game, as there are several hazards that will instantly kill an enemy, such as pits in the floor or rotating wheels of spikes. Using some of the environment in this manner, as well as attacking or destroying certain objects, serve as a puzzle-solving element to unlock secrets in the game.

==Game Play==

''Shaolin Monks'' takes place during the ''Mortal Kombat II'' timeline. The opening scene shows [[Shang Tsung]], [[Goro]], and the other evil enemies escaping to Outworld in pursuit are those warriors from The Order of Light, allies Liu Kang and Kung Lao. After a nearly fatal disaster, the duo make their way to Outworld where the action begins.

The game also includes [[Fatality (Mortal Kombat)|Fatalities]], a common feature of the ''Mortal Kombat'' series. Performing combos on enemies increases the Fatality meter. Once that meter has reached a certain level, a Fatality may be performed, regardless of an opponent's level of health. The main characters have the ability to perform several different Fatality moves, some of which are 3D updated versions of Fatalities from the first and second ''Mortal Kombat'' games. The player can also unlock the ability to do Multalities, which are Fatalities performed on multiple enemies at once. The concept of [[Fatality (Mortal Kombat)|Brutalities]] from ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3]]''/''[[Mortal Kombat Trilogy]]'' has also been brought back, though with a different function. Once the move has been performed, the player is able to give more devastating attacks for a limited time.<ref name="teamxboxinter"/>

The most fascinating aspect of ''Shaolin Monks'' appears to be its fighting system. The game makes interesting use of [[analog stick]] in a control scheme with infinite combos. The analog stick lets you control the direction of the attack, the face buttons select the type of attack, and the shoulder buttons modify the attack selection. Attacks can be linked together, allowing you to nail single enemies with a barrage of blows or bash multiple opponents in one chain. The ''Shaolin Monks''<nowiki>'</nowiki> system is quite different from those games of the past, in that it uses the analog sticks to select direction rather than executing just the attack.

===Story===

Liu Kang and Kung Lao will be the [[protagonists]] of the game. The storyline fills in a lot of the gaps and addresses some of the rumors circulating about the ''Mortal Kombat'' series. In addition to Liu Kang and Kung Lao, there are characters for you to unlock. Several characters appear in cameo and/or helper roles, including [[Johnny Cage]] and [[Rayden|Raiden]]. Numerous villains appear in [[boss (video games)|boss]] fights, including Goro, [[Reptile (Mortal Kombat character)|Reptile]], [[Ermac]], [[Mileena]], [[Kitana]], [[Jade (Mortal Kombat character)|Jade]], and [[Baraka]]. There is a lot of interactivity within the game. Instead of mere fighting, enemies serve other purposes as well. You can use them as a human shield, run off them to propel yourself to another enemy, and throw them through walls to unlock secret passages.

''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' spans the events of ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'', starting with the aftermath of the first ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]''. The battle rages furiously on Shang Tsung's island fortress in the Lost Sea, as the sorcerer watches the fighters battle his soldiers to protect Earthrealm. The Earthrealm's Shaolin monk Liu Kang defeats Shang Tsung, and the warrior Goro comes to his defense. With Goro distracting everyone else, Shang Tsung creates a portal to Outworld and retreats with his allies. Thunder god Raiden appears afterwards and warns the remaining fighters to get off the island palace because it is collapsing into the sea. Everyone, except Liu Kang and Kung Lao, evacuates and escape back to the Wu Shi Academy.

Liu Kang and Kung Lao, however, have to fight their way to another portal to get to Wu Shi Academy. Upon arrival, Raiden awards his warriors for saving Earthrealm. However, Baraka and the Tarkatan attack the Wu Shi Academy. Although the Tarkatans are defeated, Baraka captures Sonya Blade. Raiden confirms that Shang Tsung is trying to lure Liu Kang and his allies to Outworld where he can order his henchmen to attack them and bide his time for power. If successful, Shang Tsung will conquer Earth without winning a Mortal Kombat tournament, which is cheating.

==Details==

As mentioned, the storyline of ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' follows the basic story line of ''Mortal Kombat II'' from 1993 (regarded as one of the best ''Mortal Kombat'' games of all time). However, being only the second ''Mortal Kombat'' game at the time it came out, there was not a huge ability to tell a deep story. In ''Shaolin Monks'', they got into a lot more details of the story than they could originally. The game opens with a big opening movie that is the final battle of the first ''Mortal Kombat'' tournament. The levels and areas of the game are based around the original backgrounds of ''Mortal Kombat II''. For example, the [[Living Forest]] was a small [[2D computer graphics|2D]] stage, but in ''Shaolin Monks'' it is a fully interactive [[3D computer graphics|3D]] level with many areas.

Liu Kang and Kung Lao journey through the nightmarish realm of Outworld to stop the sorcerer's plot. They are guided by Raiden and assisted by Johnny Cage. Throughout their journeys, they meet several allies and learn of another person who wants Earth; the Emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn. During their journey, all of Liu Kang's and Kung Lao's allies are captured. Once reaching Shao Kahn, Shang Tsung is revealed to have been impersonating Raiden on occasion in the pair's journey so that each of the soldier's defeats will enhance his powers enough to steal Shao Kahn's rule of Outworld.

The two Shaolin Monks defeat Shang Tsung and Kintaro, and are challenged by Shao Kahn. With the real Raiden's help, Liu Kang and Kung Lao finish the Emperor and both are given the title of champions. With their friends and Outworld safe, Raiden's group returns to Earthrealm to celebrate their victory. But unbeknownst to the others, Quan Chi picks up his Amulet and manically laughs concluding the story.

==Characters==

{{Main|List of Mortal Kombat characters}}

The primary protagonists of ''Shaolin Monks'' are [[Liu Kang]] and [[Kung Lao]]. Featured as allies of the protagonists are [[Raiden (Mortal Kombat)|Raiden]], [[Johnny Cage]], [[Kitana]], [[Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)|Sub-Zero]], and [[Jax (Mortal Kombat)|Jax]]. Most of the allies make appearances to assist the protagonists during segments of the game. Depicted as enemies of the protagonists are [[Shao Kahn]], [[Shang Tsung]], [[Mileena]], [[Jade (Mortal Kombat)|Jade]], [[Reptile (Mortal Kombat)|Reptile]], [[Baraka (Mortal Kombat)|Baraka]], [[Goro (Mortal Kombat)|Goro]], [[Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)|Scorpion]], and [[List of Mortal Kombat characters|Kintaro]]. These characters serve as bosses for the game's levels. [[Ermac]] and [[Kano (Mortal Kombat)|Kano]] can also be fought as optional bosses. Further characters featured are [[Sonya Blade]], [[Kabal (Mortal Kombat)|Kabal]], [[Noob Saibot]], and [[Quan Chi]], who mostly only appear in cinematics. [[Smoke (Mortal Kombat)|Smoke]], in reference to his ''Mortal Kombat II'' depiction, is found in the Living Forest where he assigns the player optional missions required to unlock ''Mortal Kombat II''. Also in reference to the second game, [[List of Mortal Kombat characters#Blaze|Blaze]] appears fighting his unnamed opponent in the background of the Pit II. Upon completing the game, Sub-Zero and Scorpion become unlocked as playable characters in the story mode, although the story is unchanged. The versus mode features Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Johnny Cage, Kitana, Reptile, and Baraka as the playable characters; all but Liu Kang and Kung Lao are unlocked through collecting tokens found in the story.

==Development==

A spin-off game starring Liu Kang was originally supposed to be developed shortly after ''[[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces]]'', the previous action-adventure title in the series in 2000, this however did not happen because of the departure of [[John Tobias]] and the very negative reception of ''Special Forces''. In October 2004, the president of [[Midway Games]], David F. Zucker, called the release of ''Shaolin Monks'' the "first step toward delivering something that ''Mortal Kombat'' fans have been calling for: a new game set in the ''Mortal Kombat'' universe every year."<ref>{{cite web | author=Thorsen, Tor | date=October 22, 2004 | title=Midway announces Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks | work=Gamespot.com | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/22/news_6111245.html | access-date=2006-05-30 | archive-date=2008-07-25 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725201916/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/10/22/news_6111245.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

Producer Shaun Himmerick stated the team wanted to make a ''Mortal Kombat'' with a "deeper story." The team were fans of adventure games and decided to follow that direction. ''Mortal Kombat'' co-creator Ed Boon worked as the creative director for ''Shaolin Monks'' and joined the programmers from the team to make the fighting engine.<ref name="gamesradarinter"/> The team found a challenge in combining action elements with their multi-directional fighting engine, in an effort to avoid turning the game into a "button smasher". Their idea was to give the player more freedom to execute several moves together than any other adventure game. They would be able to attack in any direction they wanted. The team added multiple ''Mortal Kombat'' elements to the game to make the game more appealing.<ref name="teamxboxinter">{{cite web| author=Berardin, César A.| date=January 13, 2005| title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Interview| work=TeamXbox| url=http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1010/Mortal-Kombat-Shaolin-Monks-Interview/p3/| access-date=March 17, 2013| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211055735/http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1010/Mortal-Kombat-Shaolin-Monks-Interview/p3/| archive-date=February 11, 2011}}</ref>

Since ''Mortal Kombat II'' was [[Ed Boon]]'s favorite game in the series, the story of this spin-off was based on it. There was also a desire to include both Liu Kang and Kung Lao as protagonists with the latter having been introduced in ''Mortal Kombat II''. The game's versus mode originated from a bug that allowed testers to face each other. Unlike in the typical ''Mortal Kombat'' games, the versus mode was made to include adventure games' elements.<ref name="gamesradarinter">{{cite web| author=Thorsen, Tor| date=August 17, 2005| title=Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks interview| work=GamesRadar| url=http://www.gamesradar.com/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks-interview/| access-date=March 17, 2013| archive-date=March 13, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313122905/https://www.gamesradar.com/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks-interview/| url-status=live}}</ref> The engine is different from the one from ''Mortal Kombat Deception'' and was made to rival other adventure games. The co-op mode was made so that players would be able to work together to perform new moves and discover content that a single player cannot do. Originally, it was planned to allow more than two players in the co-op mode.<ref name="teamxboxinter"/> While Dan Forden was the audio director, [[Jamie Christopherson]] worked as the composer.<ref>{{cite web| title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005)| work=Jamie Christopherson| url=http://www.jamiechristopherson.com/Projects/Games/MortalKombatSM.html| access-date=March 17, 2013| archive-date=September 6, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906145235/http://www.jamiechristopherson.com/Projects/Games/MortalKombatSM.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==

{{Video game reviews

| GR = Xbox: 80.64% (42 reviews)<ref name="Game RankingsXbox">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/925008-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html|title=Game Rankings: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (Xbox)|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=August 7, 2010|archive-date=April 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425053034/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/925008-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br> PS2: 79.10% (47 reviews)<ref name="Game RankingsPS2">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/925007-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html|title=Game Rankings: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=August 7, 2010|archive-date=April 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426095735/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/925007-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

| 1UP = B+<ref name="1up">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3144021&did=1|author=Li, Richard|date=September 21, 2005|title=1UP: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks|website=[[1UP.com]]|access-date=August 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105185714/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3144021&did=1|archive-date=January 5, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

| GSpot = 7.5/10.0<ref name="Gspot">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks-review/1900-6133891/|author=Navarro, Alex|date=September 19, 2005|title=GameSpot: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks|website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=August 7, 2010|archive-date=May 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519141208/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks-review/1900-6133891/|url-status=live}}</ref>

| IGN = 8/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/651/651520p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001025620/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/651/651520p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 1, 2005|author=Perry, Douglas C.|date=September 16, 2005|title=IGN: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks|website=IGN|access-date=August 7, 2010}}</ref>

| TX = 8.7/10<ref name="teamxbox">{{cite web|url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/989/Mortal-Kombat-Shaolin-Monks/p1/|author=Nardozzi, Dale|date=September 21, 2005|title=TeamXbox: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks|publisher=[[TeamXbox]]|access-date=August 7, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122133203/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/989/Mortal-Kombat-Shaolin-Monks/p1/|archive-date=November 22, 2011}}</ref>

| XPlay = 3/5<ref name="gbox">{{cite web|title=Xplay review of MKSM |url=http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/52866/Mortal_Kombat_Shaolin_Monks_Review.html |access-date=2010-04-05 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060813085433/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/52866/Mortal_Kombat_Shaolin_Monks_Review.html |archive-date = 2006-08-13}}</ref>

}}

''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' has sold over one million copies<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/gaming/mortal-kombat/midway-delivers-a-million-armageddons-226895.php | title = Mortal Kombat: Midway Delivers A Million Armageddons | date = 2007-01-08 | access-date = 2008-12-03 | publisher = Kotaku | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071208215432/http://kotaku.com/gaming/mortal-kombat/midway-delivers-a-million-armageddons-226895.php | archive-date = 2007-12-08 }}</ref> and received mostly favorable reviews. At [[GameRankings]], it holds an average of 79.10% and 80.64% for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles respectively.<ref name="Game RankingsXbox"/><ref name="Game RankingsPS2"/> The game was praised by critics for translating the franchise into an entertaining action game.<ref name="IGN"/> The gameplay was noted for having the same movements from the classic ''Mortal Kombat'' games such as the Fatalities and the way combos are handled compared to ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]''. 1UP.com was conflicted with game's difficulty as the A.I. can be too strong but might force the player to use more creative moves.<ref name="1up"/> On the other hand, GameZone felt the boss fights to be more enjoyable due to the tactics needed to defeat them.<ref name="gamezone">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/mortal_kombat_shaolin_monks_ps2_review/|title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks – PS2 – Review|website=GameZone|date=4 May 2012 |access-date=December 11, 2021}}</ref> The cooperative mode was distinguished for giving the players access to hidden bonuses but at the same time was criticized for being impossible to continue playing in a single-player mode.<ref name="Gspot"/> It was one of the five games nominated by [[GameSpot]] for the title of Most Surprisingly Good Game of 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=2&page=2 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 - Special Achievement Awards |access-date=2011-11-16 |archive-date=2012-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112142015/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=2&page=2 |url-status=dead }}</ref> XPlay praised the large amount of combos and finishing moves the player can perform and recommended the audience to use the co-op mode for further enjoyment of the game.<ref name="gbox"/> TeamXbox agreed as the performance of combos can be further enjoyed when the players are using the two characters.<ref name="teamxbox"/> It was the winner of the Satellite Award for [[10th Satellite Awards#Outstanding Platform Action/Adventure Game|Best Action/Adventure Game of 2005]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 Satellite Awards Best Platform Action/Adventure Game Winner {{!}} Video Game Honor {{!}} BoardGameGeek |url=https://videogamegeek.com/videogamehonor/54752/2005-satellite-awards-best-platform-actionadventur |access-date=2010-06-15 |website=videogamegeek.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Liu Kang and Kung Lao are the two characters the story centers around in this game. The player will go though the realms and interact with a lot of different ''Mortal Kombat'' characters. In the Wu Shi Academy, the player works alongside Johnny Cage to defeat the enemies. Later the player faces Baraka in a boss battle. As the player progresses, they can unlock two other playable characters for the adventure game. One of the characters is [[Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat character) |Sub-Zero]], and the other character will be [[Scorpion (Mortal Kombat character) |Scorpion ]]. Alongside those two, four known characters in the versus mode will be [[Reptile (Mortal Kombat character) |Reptile]], [[Kitana]], [[Baraka (Mortal Kombat)|Baraka]], and [[Johnny Cage]].

In regards to the narrative and presentation, IGN felt the characters' voice acting was too forced, especially pointing out Liu Kang and Raiden's voice actors.<ref name="IGN"/> GameZone claimed the worlds were appealing most notably the Pit stage.<ref name="gamezone"/> TeamXbox found that the story of the game was enjoyable despite negative feedback provided to other ''Mortal Kombat'' narratives.<ref name="teamxbox"/> GameSpot criticized the game's reliance of backtracking and stated, while the story mode starts entertaining, by the time of the climax it becomes "fairly incomprehensible" as an overuse of plot twist focused on betrayals that are not explained properly.<ref name="Gspot"/> WorthPlaying commented the plot of ''Shaolin Monks'' relies more the on the nostalgia factor in contrast to their previous game, ''Deception'', as fan-favorite characters like Johnny Cage and Raiden often appear in the game to assist the main characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worthplaying.com/article/2005/10/7/reviews/28029-ps2xbox-review-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/|title=PS2/Xbox Review - 'Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'|access-date=November 11, 2021|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211133640/https://worthplaying.com/article/2005/10/7/reviews/28029-ps2xbox-review-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' has a gameplay device called the Multi-Direction Fighting Engine. This engine allows the player to deal with many enemies at one time, fight in any direction at any time, and link combos in any direction the player chooses. Also, the engine allows the player to launch an enemy into the air and follow them into the air and continue their combos. The player decides when to toss an enemy into the air or attempt to throw them, and then once the enemy is in the air the player can choose to follow them up into the air and continue to fight them or choose to turn their attention to another enemy while continuing their combo. Also included is a co-op mode wherein the player and a friend can team up and work together to get through the game. There will be areas and items that will only be accessible via co-op gameplay. Also, there are specific team moves and combos the players can only do while playing in co-op mode.

===Controversy===

No ''Mortal Kombat'' game would be complete without [[Fatality|Fatalities]]. Included are some old school Fatalities that get some updates with new technology in the 3D world. There are also some more new Fatalities for the characters to give the players variety in regards to the disappointing one-Fatality per character in ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance|Deadly Alliance]]''. The player can unlock the ability to do Multalities, which is a fatality performed on multiple enemies at one time. Brutalities from ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3]]'' have also been brought back and upgraded to the 3D world.

An advertisement for ''Shaolin Monks'' titled "Blood on the Carpet", created by the London-based Maverick Media, was condemned by the [[Advertising Standards Authority (United Kingdom)|Advertising Standards Authority]] as condoning and glorifying violence. The commercial, "features a boardroom scene in which a Mr Linn, the mysterious trouble-shooter at a sales meeting, instructs two men to fight. Punches lead to a pen being stabbed into an arm; then a water jug is smashed over an executive's head – before his heart is ripped from his chest. Mr Linn concludes proceedings by decapitating another executive with his hat."<ref>{{cite web |title= Mortal Kombat viral ad glorified violence, says ASA |date= 2005-12-22 |url= https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/22/outlaw_mortal_asa/ |website= [[The Register]] |access-date= 2009-09-08 |archive-date= 2009-08-31 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090831135837/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/12/22/outlaw_mortal_asa/ |url-status= live }}</ref> The result of the complaint was, as quoted from the ASA report, "We told Midway not to repeat the approach and told them to consult CAP Copy Advice before producing future ads."<ref>{{cite web |title= Non-broadcast Adjudications |date= 2005-12-21 |url= http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/non_broadcast/Adjudication+Details.htm?Adjudication_id=40698 |access-date= 2009-09-08 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080326232845/http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/non_broadcast/Adjudication%2BDetails.htm?Adjudication_id=40698 |archive-date= 2008-03-26 }}</ref> {{Clear}}

== ReactionLegacy==

A sequel focused on Scorpion and Sub-Zero, titled ''Mortal Kombat: Fire & Ice'', was planned to be developed by Paradox, but financial constraint caused the project's cancellation.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/news/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks-sequel | title = Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Sequel Would Have United Scorpion and Sub-Zero | date = December 7, 2010 | access-date = March 17, 2013 | author = Quillen, Dustin | website = [[1UP.com]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130124033552/http://www.1up.com/news/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks-sequel | archive-date = January 24, 2013 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Ed Boon recalled: "''Monks'' was FAR and away the best spinoff. We were in talks to do a sequel before the Moorpark studio closed."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/noobde/status/10384003237 |title=Twitter / noobde: @matialderete I agree...Monks |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2010-03-12 |access-date=2014-03-19}}</ref>

A possible HD remake of ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' was teased by Boon in October 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/ed-boon-teases-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks-hd-264615.phtml |title=Ed Boon teases Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks HD |website=Destructoid |date=31 October 2013 |access-date=2013-11-04 |archive-date=2013-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103122837/http://www.destructoid.com/ed-boon-teases-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks-hd-264615.phtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/news/is_mortal_kombat_shaolin_monks_getting_the_hd_treatment.html |title=Is Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks getting the HD treatment? - Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks for PS2 News |publisher=VideoGamer.com |date=2013-10-31 |access-date=2013-11-04 |archive-date=2015-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912000036/http://www.videogamer.com/news/is_mortal_kombat_shaolin_monks_getting_the_hd_treatment.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He also previously said they would "love to make one" someday,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/noobde/status/387264223723540480 |title=Twitter / noobde: RT @Shahil93 @noobde Shaolin |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2013-10-07 |access-date=2014-03-19 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304204930/https://twitter.com/noobde/status/387264223723540480 |url-status=live }}</ref> but a remake would not come "in the NEAR future" (from January 2013).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/noobde/status/293790825966600193 |title=Twitter / noobde: RT @B_Nutter @noobde Any |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2013-01-22 |access-date=2014-03-19 |archive-date=2016-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305024125/https://twitter.com/noobde/status/293790825966600193 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, he also disclosed that they already did talk "about doing an up-rez'ed version for [the] [[PlayStation 3|PS3]] and [[Xbox 360|360]] a few years ago."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/noobde/status/438147312347381760 |title=Twitter / noobde: RT @WilliamnCourtne @noobde |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2014-02-24 |access-date=2014-03-19 |archive-date=2016-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305014658/https://twitter.com/noobde/status/438147312347381760 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The game had recieved enthusiastic reviews from critics and gamers alike, especially in comparison with the previous two spin-offs ([[Mortal Kombat Mythologies]] and [[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces]]), which were critical and commercial failures.

==ScreenshotsReferences==

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==External Linkslinks==

*{{moby game|id=/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks}}

Official Websites:

*[http://www.mortalkombat.com/ ''Mortal Kombat'' Official Website]

*[http://www.mortalkombatshaolinmonks.com ''Mortal Kombat'' Shaolin Monks]

{{Mortal Kombat series}}

Other Websites:

{{Authority control}}

*[http://www.mortalkombatonline.com/ Mortal Kombat Online]

{{Portal bar|Video games|2000s}}

*[http://www.mkhideout.com/ The Mortal Kombat Temple]

*[http://www.trmk.org/ The Realm of Mortal Kombat (TRMK)]

*[http://mkw.mortalkombatonline.com Mortal Kombat Warehouse]

*[http://www.totalmortalkombat.com Total Mortal Kombat]

*[http://dmoz.org/Games/Video_Games/Fighting/Mortal_Kombat_Series/ Category at ODP]

*[http://www.gamerwithin.com/?view=article&article=339 Gamer Within Preview of Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]

*[http://www.gamerwithin.com/?view=video_gallery&game=172 Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Trailers]

*[http://www.gamerwithin.com/?view=article&article=551 Gamer Within Review of Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]

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