Summary
Fighting games are entering into a new golden age.Mortal Kombat 1was released this week, andStreet Fighter 6came out back in June. On top of these releases,Guilty Gear Strivehas entered its third season of DLC, andTekken 8andUnder Night: In-Birth 2are both coming out early next year. The hype around the genre has pulled in a lot of new players, and right now,Mortal Kombat 1andStreet Fighter 6are enjoying massive player hikes from previous entries. With so much excitement around the two games, some players have been left to wonder what sets the two apart.
One of the most important aspects of allcompetitive fighting gamesis timing. While timing is an omnipresent aspect of the genre, the way it plays into each game is entirely different.Mortal KombatandStreet Fighterare seemingly similar since they are both grounded 2D fighters, but in reality, they are quite different. These differences extend to aspects of the game like aerial combat, which is a greater focus inMK, and the presence of supers inStreet Fighter, but also to the game’s core mechanics. How timing is implemented into the core mechanics ofMortal Kombat 1andStreet Fighter 6is totally different.
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Street Fighter 6 Places An Emphasis On Timing
InStreet Fighter 6, timing is a central aspect of how combos are executed. Throughout the series' history, combos have required specific timing that is unique to each combo. Moves that can be linked together in combos must be timed in a specific way.Combos inStreet Fightermay require small pauses or many inputs in rapid succession. This has contributed to each character inStreet Fighterfeeling unique, and while timings are often somewhat intuitive, it means that learning a character takes time. The other result of this is that in high-pressure situations, players must choose between going for easier combos they know they can hit reliably and harder ones that will do greater damage.
Mortal Kombat 1,on the other hand, has a lesser focus on timing. The game features what has become colloquially known in the fighting game community as dial-a-combo. Instead of timing moves specifically, players can input them as fast as possible, so long as the input for a move comes out before the move preceding it ends. This approach to combos makesMortal Kombatmore accessible. Players still need to remember combos, but there’s less need for practicing them. It also means that it is easier to exploreMortal Kombat’s rostersince inputs work largely the same character to character.
The Timing of Mortal Kombat Allows for Bigger Combos
The way that timing plays into combo inputs impacts each game substantially. BecauseMortal Kombathas easier combo inputs, and its focus on smooth animation and realism means that moves come out slower, generally, players will try and win the match in just a few interactions with longer combos and juggles. Because movement is less responsive, there is a greater focus on block strings and attempting to mix the opponent up during them incompetitiveMortal Kombat. On the other hand,Street Fighteris more responsive, so timing plays more into moment-to-moment gameplay, and matches usually have numerous short interactions between players. Baiting attacks and whiff punishing them is a huge part of the game.
Street Fighter 6andMortal Kombat 1are both excellent games with thriving communities. WhileStreet Fighteris faster-paced and requires more precision,Mortal Kombat’s de-emphasizing of timing has made the series more accessible to pick up and play and has given it longer combos and juggle strings that are fun to watch and do. Whether one should playMortal Kombat 1orStreet Fighter 6is a question of taste, not the inherent quality of one over the other. With plenty ofDLCforMK1andSF6on the way, both games will provide players with a rich fighting experience for the foreseeable future.
Mortal Kombat 1is available now on PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
