I never hated it and I felt like people tried way too hard to make Blunder God more than just a silly joke. Like, it was funny once or twice but people pushing it as an actual thing years later, over and over, driving the joke into the ground (when it doesn't even really make that much sense) or hating Raiden for it were silly. They also downplay the fact that he:

1. Killed Motaro in the funniest fashion these games have ever seen

2. Is responsible for the best version of Smoke we've ever had in these games by letting Sub-Zero get automated instead

3. Actually prevented the end of all things despite being sent a vague as fuck message from evil future Raiden

Agreed man! the hate Raiden gets annoys me also, although I understand it. But I've always felt people take out their hatred of the poor writing on Raiden as a character and that shit bugs me. As you say in your numba 3, Raiden was SUCCESSFUL at preventing Armageddon. He saved the day. It just came at a huge cost because he couldn't have possibly known what the effects would be. Even then tho, getting most of the heroes killed is still a better outcome than full on, end of the fucking universe Armageddon.

Normally I'm a judgemental prick and would say he could've been smarter bout not leaving to see the Elder Gods but I think when someone is under the pressure of an actual END OF EVERYTHING they get a bit of error room.

I just wanted to mention that probably my favorite moment in MK9 overall was Raiden killing Motaro. I love how he just like flies up and blasts the fuck out of him. How the fuck did they even recover his body from the water lol and that was like the only time in story where Raiden displays his godly power.

I feel like Raiden could have easily saved Sub-Zero. But that's been discussed to death and i'm sure NRS is aware that it was a stupid decision to do that.

Other than that and him offering Quan Chi their souls I don't disagree with Raiden's actions. Although hopefully Fujin is the wiser God in story this time around, and he may be keeping an eye on Raiden to make sure he doesn't fuck up. lol

I love MK1 to this day because of it's atmosphere. I do not see how they can revert back to having NORMAL mk tournaments like in Mk1.

However I too enjoy what MKX brings to the table so far. I am hoping that we get a few Asain inspired stages. Lol in MK9 online, I would always pick Shang Stungs Gardens as the fighting stage. Beautiful scenery and the music had me amped up for battle.

I just want my Courtyard and Tsung's Gardens/Warrior Shrine back.

I wish this forum had some kind of upvote function.

Its curious because I was wondering about the whole background stuff today and I agree with you, I kinda miss the oriental vibe of former Mortal Kombats, I can see some of that in the Link Kuei scenario, in the Jinsey chamber and the front door of the White Lotus, but I fell they have push designs too far away from the concepts that I love.

The Elder Gods' asshattery is the only trump card Raiden fans have against his detractors, so I'll take them the way they are, thank you very much

I don't think it would make Raiden lose his "trump card" so to speak, I just mean if the Elder Gods said "We lost so much of our power trying to imprison Shinnok all those years ago that we can't really help out unless the circumstances are incredibly drastic.

Raiden still wouldn't be at fault of he just went up there and said "Yo for real? This shit is getting out of hand."

To me the only games that felt like martial arts movies where MK1 AMD Deadly Alliance.

Deadly Alliance was very fun, the characters, stages, and music all felt like they were taken right of an Kung Fu movie.

Yeah i agree, the latest mk games lack some of that special vibe that mk2 described best. Couple of elements i d like to see more or hear back are,

Azian temples
Chanting music
Mystic occult setting

It was a perfect blend of azian meets west. Love to see more of it again. Im happy im not alone on this.