Games
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Review
Review Ratings
Final Review Score
Great
Developed by Midway Studios Los Angeles and directed by Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005) stands as the undisputed pinnacle of the franchise’s action-adventure spin-offs. Released for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, the game successfully translated the fast-paced combo strings, visceral gore, and special moves of classic 1990s fighting tournaments into a seamless 3D action beat ’em up. In this detailed Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks game review, we examine how cooperative multiplayer campaign design, environment-based execution traps, and a retelling of Mortal Kombat II created a beloved fan favorite.
Outworld Invasion, Shaolin Heroes, and Retelling MK II
Picking up immediately after the collapse of Shang Tsung’s tournament in the original game, the story follows Shaolin monks Liu Kang and Kung Lao as they defend Earthrealm from an aggressive Outworld assault. Guided by the thunder god Raiden, the duo travels through interdimensional portals directly into Outworld to confront Shang Tsung, Baraka, Mileena, Kintaro, and ultimate emperor Shao Kahn. The narrative expands upon classic lore, allowing players to witness key historical events from new angles while encountering iconic allies and rivals like Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, Sub-Zero, and Scorpion along their journey.
Free-Form Combos, Environmental Fatalities, and Co-Op Synergy
Unlike previous spin-off attempts, Shaolin Monks features a remarkably fluid direction-independent combat system that lets players string together juggle combos, launcher kicks, and special moves across multiple enemies simultaneously. Players earn experience points to purchase expanded move sets, dash maneuvers, and iconic character finishers. The game innovated with interactive stage hazards—allowing players to throw Tarkatan warriors into wall spikes, acid vats, and iron grates—alongside seamless co-op team maneuvers, double Fatalities, and cinematic Multalities that wipe out entire rooms of enemies.
Secrets, Unlockable Champions, and Rich Audio Design
True to Midway tradition, the game is packed to the brim with secrets, secret boss encounters, hidden areas, and unlockable playable characters—including full campaign access as rivals Scorpion and Sub-Zero, plus an arcade-perfect emulation of Mortal Kombat II. Audio director Vince Pontarelli delivered a heavy, energetic musical score that amplified the scale of Outworld battlefields, complemented by crunching impact sound effects and classic voice lines.
The Final Verdict
Ultimately, this Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks review celebrates an absolute peak in action-adventure gaming. Driven by Midway’s sharp combat mechanics, exceptional two-player cooperative campaign execution, rich secret content, and deep reverence for franchise lore, it remains one of the most wildly entertaining titles in the entire series.
Information
- Title: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
- Release Date: September 16, 2005
- Developers: Midway Studios Los Angeles, Midway Games
- Key Characters: Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Raiden, Shang Tsung, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Baraka, Goro, Shao Kahn
- Genre: Action-Adventure, Hack and Slash, Beat ’em up
This post is part of Mortal Kombat Games Ranked