Mortal Kombat 1, developed by NetherRealm, is currently under the spotlight for unexpected reasons. Players in Russia and Belarus have reported being barred from accessing online play and pre-order bonuses. This restriction has caused a surge of disappointment, especially considering these players could access online features during the game’s stress test phase.

Disrupted Online Functionality

Mortal Kombat 1’s recent move to block online functionality for players in Russia and Belarus appears to be an act of alignment with the boycott established in the wake of the 2021 invasion of Ukraine. The cause for unrest among the players is that, during the stress test of the game, these online functionalities were available. Thus, players made purchases expecting to enjoy these features upon the game’s official launch.

Metacritic Reviews Reflect Discontent

The current scenario is evident on Metacritic, where numerous disappointed players are voicing their grievances. A common complaint is the inability to claim the Shang Tsung pre-order bonus or even engage in the Invasion mode. The lack of prior communication from NetherRealm or Warner Bros. Games about this limitation has further agitated the situation. Metacritic pages are now inundated with zero-star reviews from players in the affected regions.

The Challenge of Purchasing in the Region

In the wake of these restrictions, players have highlighted the existing challenges associated with purchasing Mortal Kombat 1 in Russia and Belarus. In most instances, players had to resort to buying the game via a Steam, PlayStation, or Xbox account registered in a different country. The fact that the stress test presented no such online restrictions had given them hope that a purchase through another region’s store would enable online play.

Current Rating and Response

The adverse reactions have led to a dip in Mortal Kombat 1’s rating on Metacritic, with the PS5 version now at a rating of 5.8/10 and showing signs of further decline. Warner Bros. has yet to address the grievances. However, given the prevalent boycotts against Russia and Belarus, a reversal in decision seems unlikely. Additionally, prospects of refunding the pre-order bonuses seem grim.

Similar Actions by Other Games

Mortal Kombat 1 isn’t alone in its actions. Starfield recently excluded Russian language support and restricted purchases in the region. Major gaming giants like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft also took a stand by suspending new sales in the region following the invasion of Ukraine.

What Lies Ahead?

While Mortal Kombat 1 has been available since September 14 for premium edition holders, the broader release is set for September 19. It remains to be seen if any modifications will be made concerning the present restrictions.

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