Is MK Aftermath worth it in 2023?

For hardcore MK fans, Aftermath is absolutely worth picking up to continue enjoying the stellar gameplay and story. But for more casual players, the $40 asking price is hard to justify.

Aftermath Delivers More of MK11‘s Gory Goodness for Devotees

Let‘s catch up on Mortal Kombat 11‘s commercial performance first, so we can put Aftermath‘s pricing in context. MK11 has sold over 12 million copies globally across all platforms as of March 2022. It‘s the best-selling title in the decades-old franchise, topping the ~8 million sales of MKX.

Fighting games rarely shift huge numbers these days, so MK‘s continued commercial success is impressive. Clearly, developer NetherRealm still knows how to craft compelling characters and gameplay appeals to genre enthusiasts two years post-launch.

Given this passionate fanbase willing to shell out $60 every few years, Aftermath‘s $40 pricetag feels steep to some but understandable for the devs. Previous MK expansions have experimented with pricing models:

Considering the typical price tag for a new AAA fighter is $60, charging 2/3rds that for Aftermath feels steep. But based on the 12-15 hour estimate for complete playthroughs, superfans get enough bang for their buck regarding enjoyment per dollar.

As both an MK expert boasting 1000+ hours across the series and fighting game aficionado, I find Aftermath well worth the cost. The story resolution and new fighters add loads of gameplay depth for those willing to master their nuances.

Aftermath‘s Story Wraps Up Loose Ends While Setting Up the Future

Aftermath picks up right after MK11‘s climax, where a new godlike version of Liu Kang looks to rewrite history for the betterment of Earthrealm and Outworld. However, Kronika‘s crown falls into the hands of evil sorcerer Shang Tsung, who has his own designs on reshaping destiny.

What follows is a dimension-hopping journey through the sands of time, as familiar faces like Jax and Scorpion aim to aid Kang in restoring balance. There‘s plenty of timeline-bending action before an epic final confrontation with Tsung with reality itself at stake.

Fans will appreciate how Aftermath provides closure for MK11‘s narrative threads while setting up a new status quo for the next game. The story manages fan service cameos organically without falling into nostalgia bait traps.

I‘m keen to see where Kang‘s arc goes from here and if impending threats like the fallen Elder God Shinnok remain nullified. There‘s still plenty of juicy conflict left to drive MK well into the 12th core entry and beyond.

Wind God Fujin, Four-Armed Sheeva, and Cyborg Cop Robocop Enter the Arena

Now onto Aftermath‘s killer (sometimes literally) new content – the three additional playable fighters.

First up is Fujin, the wind god last playable in Mortal Kombat 4 over 20 years ago. His tornado-powered moveset allows controlling space with gusts and flight. I particularly enjoy his Air Slam fatality, ripping opponents‘ limbs off before a final thunderclap.

Then there‘s Shokan queen Sheeva, also returning from MK3. Her four burly arms provide incredible range, allowing crushing blows from surprising angles. That makes her one of the most technical new characters to master.

Finally, guest fighter Robocop lives up to his Hollywood reputation with chargable firearm specials and a full arsenal of weaponry pulled straight from the films. Although he lacks traditional martial arts, zoning abilities like the Cobra Assault Cannon make up for it with a unique flurry of projectiles.

Each new character possesses in-depth combo routes and special move cancels opening up their competitive viability. Based on early pro tier lists, Fujin ranks high given his corner pressure and juggle opportunities. Shang certainly got his money‘s worth from the soul chamber unlocking their move sets!

Fan and Critical Reception Largely Positive Despite Premium Price

In closing, while the $40 pricing elicited some grumbling, Aftermath has seen largely positive fan and critical appraisal since launch.

Over 75% of 600 Steam reviews rate Aftermath as "Very Positive", applauding the new content‘s depth. Review aggregate site Metacritic tallies an 81 critic average and 7.5 user score across platforms. Fighting game personalities like Maximilian Dood and Sajam speak highly of the gameplay innovations.

So for diehard MK fans, Aftermath is a must-buy. Between the new characters, story expansion, and free stage content – NetherRealm delivered wicked fun variations on the gory fighting formula. It‘s the best series extension we could have hoped for during the wait for MK12.

But more casual audiences may wish to wait for sales before jumping in. While there is substantial new content, Aftermath still doesn‘t pack enough to entice irregular players at full price.

My verdict as a Mortal Kombat lifer: Aftermath hits all the right notes for those who can‘t get enough dismemberment and sorcery. Its fun factor and care for fan service strengthen an already stellar base game. Just try not to think too hard about the cost of pulling characters from the soul box!