I disagree. I think it's his third best look after his MKDA and MKX designs. It's not even really unique to MK4. It's his Mortal Kombat 3 costume only this time they actually were able to have the skull mask make it to his in game model.

It’s not the worst design in my opinion. His worst design is his full on Lizzie’s form where he had the tail and gecko head. If his MK4 design had a loincloth instead of the crotch guard and less robotic shin guards and a full face mask instead of a muzzle the design would be fine

Bruh, this is obviously Chameleon.

I don't understand how Reptile (& Ermac, nightwolf, sindel, smoke, rain) will not be part of story mode.... This is a war that will be fought in multiple timelines that these characters were prominant in. They must be NPC characters at some point. Just seems odd if they are not included at all in story mode... especially Reptile.

It is odd that two characters who often play big roles in these sort of cataclysmic events (Nightwolf and Ermac) are sitting this one out.

Maybe not Ermac so much but it's strange such a powerhouse popular character would sit this out. He's been a main stay since Deception.

And not having Reptile just, doesn't sit right. He's never missed a MK aside from that one time he was the host for the villain of the game.

Reptile has never been important to the story outside of being the host for Onaga - and even that is debatable as to his importance.

If you want to know who should be guaranteed to be a part of the MK11 story / roster, but isn't... just consider how this is a war between gods (including multiple Elder Gods) and involves an evil Raiden.

If anyone is getting unfairly left out.... it's Fujin.
While I've never been a huge fan of his, I'd love to see what he'd be like in a modern-era game. And if there was ever a time / story arc where he'd get involved.... this would be it. This should be it!

Story be damned at this point. It's the characters who make the fighting game not its plot.

The gameplay in fighting games... for me... is repetitive and gets old real fast!
If it wasn't for the story and the characters involved in it, I would've stopped playing MK back in the 90's.

If all you're interested in is the gameplay, that's fine too.

Reptile reminds me Kano from Wwe

Back when Kano debuted, he was one of the best things ever, legend, but as soon as he got unmasked he turned into very mediocre attraction, irrelevant semi-jobber.

Both story and gameplay have their places. I probably have leaned towards the gameplay side since mk9... where I really have been enthralled in the way NRS is bringing character abilities to normal moves; as opposed to the old MK days of inputing special moves to see the characters abilities come to light.

When I first saw Noob shadow punch someone during a normal button string, I was like... Woa. And I have been really amped to see each characters moveset since then. MK11 is looking amazing for this reason.

EDIT: Splitting up my thoughts for easier reading....

I know it's an douche thing to say, but I can't really think of any other way to respond other than, you're playing a fighting game for the wrong reasons.

I'll admit that was the big draw of MK for me back in the day, and for a good while it rewarded me for my interest in the richly detailed story and characters. But when it comes down to it Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct and to a lesser degree Soul Caliber were/are the exceptions.

The gameplay and characters are above all else the main draw and focus of this genre. And MK aint much of an exception anymore seeing how they have streamlined how the story is presented now and they only really get by due to the presentation.

I'll extend an olive branch to you because I know I sound like a total prick up there. I'm not great at fighting games either. I can't play them and memorize combos or learn the ins and outs and understand them on a technical level. I button mash and like you eventually after I wear out my thumbs I lose a bit of interest and put them down for a bit. I just enjoy the characters and inhabiting them for a little bit and having some fun.

Bottom line though, I don't think story, or at least the movie style NRS sticks to these days, should ever really dictate the roster. MKX proved that it's not a deciding factor anymore seeing how half the roster was barely involved in the story, and even then they didn't accurately represent where the characters actually were story wise.

@Rangiku_Matsumoto

I think you mean Kane?

That is not the case for Mortal Kombat.

It is the only fighting game series with that distinction. The story matters. Maybe not as much as the gameplay itself, but it is certainly a factor, and NRS is well aware. I just wish they were better at telling a story.

But On the subject of Reptile in the story.. he may never have had a prominent role but he was always there as a “minion” while also trying to save his race on the side.. the MK11 story line not only has a perfect split for young reptile (Shao Kahn) lackey to face off against old reptile (Kotal Kahn) lackey... and then realize at some point... Woa there’s two of us, let’s serve ourselves and save our race together. Idk, just seems like a lost opportunity.

PLUS how can he NOT be at the side of all of these villains!? Like where the hell is he?? That’s why I think he has got to be in story mode as an NPC, wouldn’t make sense otherwise.

It used to not be the case with Mortal Kombat. It clearly now is. Again just look at MKX.

I'm with you I wish they would revert to a more old school style of telling the story and lore building. Or just change the format somehow. Maybe adopt the Killer Instinct style of story mode, which was pretty much the MKDA Konquest approach.

@thisiscourage

I don't really think him not having a prominent role in MK is a valid excuse to exclude him. When have Sub-Zero or Scorpion ever been integral to the main plot?

I 100% agree. I can guarantee skarlet and DVorah will not have “prominent roles in the main story. But they are cool characters and have good gameplay... both good additions. (Guessing on D’Vorah gameplay)

I just think the Mk11 story arc would actually benefit Reptile this time around.

I hope Reptile never ends up looking like that. Reptile should remain looking like a ninja. MK4 design was a good mix of ninja meets reptile. I prefer him wearing a sash or somt. That underwear look was a bit weird

How about the Reptile from the first MK movie? Always thought he looked cool. I hope that look makes it into future games.

Reading through this thread makes you realize just how many different Reptile looks we have had. He is no doubt a popular character but everyone has a favourite design and he has changed so much from game to game. Personally I prefer his MKSM / MKA look because it kinda combines his Human Ninja form from the first few games with the reptilian look from MKDA. MK4 look is by far the worst. Purple pants belong nowhere near Reptile.

:D
I don't think there is a wrong reason, just different reasons. I do enjoy the gameplay itself, I just tire of it quickly and it's not the main attraction. I do agree with the way the story is told in recent games is... well... it's shit. I really don't like the way it's broken up into character chapters, and nobody wins a fight unless they're being played by the player. Allies get defeated off screen so the player character can swoop in and have more foes to fight against in order to pad out their chapter. It ruins the story and underminds a lot of characters.

I'd prefer it if they broke it up. So you play through the main story with the main protagonists - but then go back and play through each of the remaining characters story separately. That way nobody really gets left out, has their own time to shine, and the story doesn't need to be tailored around shoehorning in specific characters.

In an ideal world though, I'd love to play an open-world MK. Like The Elder Scrolls set in Mortal Kombat. Where you get to interact with these characters more... do quests for them... even learn skills/abilities from them or join faction like the Shirai-ryu or Black Dragon, etc. But such a game would take a lot of time to develop and would be a huge deviation from the fighting game genre that I don't see it ever happening. :(

_________________

Same argument can be made for all the characters when dealing with a time-travelling event that affects everyone. This is an Armageddon-level event happening here. Like Flashpoint in the DC comics. I kinda hope that a lot of characters still make appearances in the story despite not being playable - but at the same time it will be frustrating not being able to play as them. Not sure they will though.... if you look at past Shao Kahn in the trailer he's surrounded by mostly new-timeline characters. It's like "oh, these characters were always around but didn't get involved before. But now the older characters are not involved". It's essentially a retcon to replace older characters with newer ones.

Just as long as they don't pull another Rain - where he is in the game, complete with a move-set and everything... he's just locked.... for no reason.