I've always tended to find FIGHTING GAMES intimidating simply because I've never come to understand the combo systems.
I've just plunged into Mortal Kombat without any idea what the game is about. What's the learning curve for this game like?
Have I made a mistake, GAF?
My advice:
Choose one character and stick with him while you're learning. Doesn't really matter who, just whoever you think looks cool or has cool powers.
Learn what low, mid, high, and overhead mean. Short version: Low attacks must be blocked crouching, overhead attacks must be blocked standing.
Learn a few moves in practice mode. Don't bother with combos for now. Just make sure you know at least one low attack and at least one overhead attack. Also remember that the basic uppercut - down + 2 - is a decent punishing move when your opponent reveals an opening. It's not a 30% combo, but it's better than just throwing in a 2% jab.
Learn a few of your character's special moves. Most likely they'll have at least one projectile, so remember that one. Then they'll probably have some others of varying usefulness, so try to remember one or two of those. Practice these specials until you can pull them off regularly. I know that inputting specials can be a hurdle for some new players, but it should come almost as naturally as pressing a single button. It won't feel like that at first, but it'll come with practice.
Now that you know a little bit about your character, try to beat the Klassic tower on easy without just mashing buttons. Pay attention to what buttons you're pressing and what attacks you're doing. While playing this tower, focus on two things:
1) Learn to block. Don't just tank hits and hope you do more damage faster. Pay attention to your enemy's attacks and practice pressing the block button as needed.
2) Try to develop strategies based on which attacks tend to work and which attacks the opponent tends to block. IMPORTANT NOTE: These strategies will almost certainly not work against human opponents, but the focus right now isn't on getting good, it's on learning
how to get good. Developing new strategies is part of that.
After that, then maybe start jumping into combos.
)
