Mortal Kombat 4 - Gameplay

Gameplay

Mortal Kombat 4 is played in a similar way to the previous titles from the series. However, Mortal Kombat 4 introduces a limited weapon system, allowing each character to take out a special weapon using a set button combination. Once equipped, the weapons are primarily used through the punch buttons. This includes the swinging, clubbing, or even tossing of the weapons. Furthermore, the weapons can also be purposely dropped, in similar fashion to the arena objects (skulls, rocks, etc.); if an opponent's weapon is dropped, the other character is able to grasp it and use it. By sidestepping, the player is able to move in a 3D manner, shifting the camera angle, preventing both characters from holding up the weapons or objects they had on the ground.

MK4 added a "Maximum Damage" cap to the game's combo system, automatically breaking off combos if they deal over a set amount of damage to a player and, thus, preventing infinite combos (although this cap can be removed with a code). Unlike Mortal Kombat Trilogy which contained multiple finishing moves of various kinds, Mortal Kombat 4 only gives two Fatalities per character and two Stage Fatalities that can only be done in a certain arena and involve the character throwing the opponent to part of the arena where he or she can die. Unlike the first three games, this game doesn't include boss characters except Goro from the home versions.