Playguide Part 2: Wu Shi Academy

After your entry into the portal a cutscene begins. In it, the narrator tells of Shao Kahn’s thirst for power and strength.

Once he dominated all that was in Outworld, he set his eyes upon Earthrealm. The Elder Gods created a mystical tournament in order to protect Earth from Shao Kahn’s invasion called Mortal Kombat.

The cutscene moves onto an award ceremony within the grounds of the Wu Shi Academy. Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage all receive medals for their roles in protecting Earthrealm. Raiden congratulates them on a job well done.

The ceremony is interrupted by a gang of Tarkata outside the walls of the academy. They launch multiple flaming spiked balls onto the grounds, killing and injuring many monks. Raiden orders his warriors to defend the academy after the Tarkata storm the entrance and spill into the grounds.

Travel forward and defeat the Tarkatan warriors who occupy the pathway ahead. Continue forward until you reach a path that divides into two.

Available in both single player and ko-operative playthroughs

To the left is a path that leads to the Warrior Shrine where you can face Ermac once you gain further abilities. For more information on fighting him, see the Secret Boss Battles section.

After defeating Ermac a red koin will appear.

Reward:

Unlocks a new concept art.

For now, take the path to your right over a wooden bridge. When a large spiked ball comes flying and destroys the archway above you, continue along the bridge so that you do not get hurt.

On the other side of the bridge you will view a cutscene in which a Tarkatan warrior launches an injured monk using a catapult. Once the sequence has finished, jump over the fallen pillar and do battle with the Tarkata. You may use the catapults to remove the Tarkata from this area if you wish.

When the area is empty, climb up the two large steps close to a flame-shooting statue. When you get to the top, travel forward and arch right where you will find a Tarkatan standing in front of a pyramid of spiked balls. Either throw or knock the Tarkatan vermin into the pyramid, causing them to roll down the hill. This will kill the Masked Guard and destroy the wooden barrier that previously blocked your path.

Available in both single player and ko-operative playthroughs

Backtrack to the area where you fought the Tarkata. A few Tarkatan warriors will appear via small portals. Travel forward and launch a Tarkatan warrior into the catapult close to where the Masked Guard and wooden barrier were. A red koin will appear further on in the area.

Reward:

Unlocks a new arena art.

Continue around the hill and jump over the rocks blocking your path to find a lone Tarkatan standing close to a single catapult. Launch the Tarkatan into the catapult to break down a barrier in an area you previously visited. Backtrack up the steps near the flame-shooting statue and take a left.

Available only in ko-operative playthroughs

If you are playing ko-operative you will find a red koin here.

Reward:

Unlocks the Warrior Shrine arena for Versus Mode.

Throw a Tarkatan warrior into the pile of spiked balls to knock them down, destroying another barrier and Masked Guard.

Return to the area where you launched the Tarkatan with the catapult to find a pit of spikes with four platforms and three flame-shooting statues. Make your way across the pit whilst keeping a close eye on your footing and the statues.

Once you reach the other side, travel forward and climb up the ledges, then head along the wall to enter the academy grounds.

You will see a cutscene of Sonya fighting with a Tarkatan warrior. It tricks her into thinking it was injured, and uses this opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Sonya and kidnap her. It makes its escape via a portal.

When you regain control of your character, jump off the wall to the ground below. Do battle with the Tarkatan warriors with the aid of Johnny Cage.

After the Tarkata have been disposed of, head to the back of the academy with Johnny Cage in tow. The gate rolls closed before he has a chance to enter, leaving you to defend yourself against multiple Tarkata. Once you have slaughtered them all, another gate will open.

Your entry into this new area begins with a spiked ball smashing away a part of the wall. Johnny Cage then calls out to you and asks that you defend him while he closes the front gate.

Climb up onto the broken wall and follow it around toward Johnny Cage. Try to avoid the multiple spiked balls that are launched at you and defend Johnny Cage while he works.

Once he manages to close the gate, backtrack along the wall down to the centre courtyard. Defend him against the Tarkatan horde while he turns another wheel.

A gate to the armory will open nearby allowing you access to a green koin and weapons. Head right through the gateway and collect the health upgrade and a weapon, then return to the centre courtyard.

Head down and around the pond filled with lily pads and fish and climb the wall. Using your weapon, cut the ropes of all four cauldrons. The lava poured from them will burn many Tarkatan warriors in another academy.

Available in both single player and ko-operative playthroughs

On each side of this upper area are small watchtowers. You will find a red koin atop the one to your left. Return to collect this koin when you have the Wall Run and Double Jump abilities.

Reward:

Unlocks a Fatality input image.

Available only in ko-operative playthroughs

If you are playing ko-operative, return to the centre courtyard and step on each of the two tiles. Enter the door that opens, then cross the bridge to find a red koin hidden in the leaves of a large tree. You will need the Double Jump ability to reach it.

Reward:

Unlocks a new concept art.

Available only in ko-operative playthroughs

If you continue to your right you will find another red koin close to the base of a large tree.

Reward:

Unlocks the Wu Shi Academy arena for Versus Mode.

Return to the area with the pond, then take the gateway to your left and head through the large archway.

Once you enter the new area you will find Raiden being bothered by two Tarkatan warriors. He attacks them, before Shang Tsung appears from a portal. Raiden tells him that he has defied the Elder Gods and violated the rules of Mortal Kombat. They run toward each other and vanish in a blinding light.

After regaining control of your character, drop down from the rocks and head right. Avoid the flames from the statues and head through the archway at the end.

You emerge in another area of the academy which is now ablaze. Head forward, making sure to evade the flaming monks. Jump across the fire until you reach a Test Your Might wheel. Destroy the wooden plank to start the wheel turning. This will release a floodgate, putting out the fire on the roof of a building close to where you entered.

Leap over the flames and return to where you entered this area. Jump up onto the roof and climb up to the next Test Your Might wheel to your left. Breaking the plank here will put out the fire to your right.

Drop down from the tower and follow the flow of water to the tower nearby. Break the wooden plank to release the wheel.

Continue heading right. When you reach a statue, jump down to the body of water a level below, then follow it up to another tower. Complete this Test Your Might challenge to release another floodgate.

Follow the path and jump over the broken wall onto the roof of a building. Leap across to another roof nearby and climb up to the last tower to release the final floodgate, putting out the remaining fire.

Jump down from the tower onto the grass below.

Available in both single player and ko-operative playthroughs

When you have the Wall Run ability, run up the wall near the first Test Your Might wheel you activated to find a red koin.

Reward:

Unlocks Johnny Cage as a playable kombatant in Versus Mode.

Exit the academy the way you came. A cutscene will begin, showing Johnny Cage sneaking through the forest. After hearing your characters sparring nearby, he hides behind a tree. The figure morphs back into Shang Tsung, who spies on the two kombatants.

Raiden appears to your characters and tells them that Shang Tsung is not as defeated as they’d hoped. He says that Baraka’s Tarkatan horde could not have invaded the Wu Shi Academy without the aid of Shang Tsung. He then asks you to go to Outworld and do battle there to save Earth.

Available in both single player and ko-operative playthroughs

Head left past three flaming statues toward a tree. When you have gained the Swing ability, use the tree branch to gain access to the red koin.

Reward:

Unlocks a new arena art.

Drop down into the area with spiked walls and defeat the Tarkata. Once they have been taken care of, drop down another level and head down the path, making sure to avoid the two swinging logs.

Past the logs you will find two Masked Guards. Defeat them to gain experience or use the spikes in the background to your advantage.

Head up the path to the right toward the giant portal. Here you will find a glowing statue; save your game if you wish.

Available in both single player and ko-operative playthroughs

To the left of the glowing statue are a series of wooden frames. When you have the Swing ability, use them to swing across to a ledge and collect a red koin.

Reward:

Unlocks a new concept art.

When you are ready to continue, walk up to the portal. Raiden will appear and use his powers to make the way safe for you. He will then jump into the portal, closely followed by your characters and Johnny Cage.