Highlights
Mortal Kombat 1 promises to be a unique entry in the franchise, with new features like the kameo fighter system and DLC characters Homelander and Peacemaker.
The story of Mortal Kombat 1 retells the tale that started in 2011, with a renewed focus on the Fire God Liu Kang's new chapter following the events of Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath.
Reviving characters from Mortal Kombat's 3D era, including Li Mei, Tanya, Ashrah, and Havik, the game offers both new and loyal fans a refreshing experience.
Since its announcement, Mortal Kombat 1 has promised to offer a unique experience for fans. NetherRealm Studios has gone all out with new features like the kameo fighter system and the introduction of Homelander and Peacemaker as DLC characters. What makes Mortal Kombat 1 truly intriguing is its narrative, as it reboots the story that began with the 2011 game and focuses on Fire God Liu Kang's new era after the events of Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. With the release of MK1 coming soon, various elements of this new era are falling into place.
By releasing numerous trailers in the past few months, NetherRealm Studios has provided a clearer understanding of their vision for MK1's timeline. In true Mortal Kombat fashion, the peaceful era of Fire God Liu Kang is starting to crumble, with the kombatants caught in the middle showcasing how MK1 will differ from previous entries in the franchise. While familiar faces like Sub-Zero and Scorpion are making a return as expected, MK1 will also feature surprising characters from Mortal Kombat's history, adding to the excitement.
Mortal Kombat 1's New Timeline Is Bringing Out The MK Deep Cuts
Mortal Kombat 1 kicked off its marketing campaign by highlighting the transformations of the franchise's iconic fighters within the new timeline. Sub-Zero and Scorpion were revealed to be brothers, Mileena was portrayed as suffering from a deadly illness, and Raiden emerged as a champion of Earthrealm. This new status quo not only involved revising the stories of MK's well-known characters but also delved deep into the franchise's history to revive kombatants introduced during the 3D era, which took place approximately 20 years ago. Despite the lack of attention given to this era in recent years, fans can anticipate discovering more about it in Mortal Kombat 1.
The 3D era of Mortal Kombat commenced with Mortal Kombat 4 and persisted until Mortal Kombat Armageddon. As the name suggests, this era witnessed the transition of MK to 3D graphics. However, the experimentation didn't just stop there. The developer of this era, Midway, expanded the fighting mechanics beyond the traditional 2D plane by introducing a 3D arena that allowed players to maneuver freely. Additionally, a plethora of new kombatants were introduced, granting players a larger roster to choose from compared to previous installments. While not all of these characters stood out, a select few left a lasting impact, justifying their inclusion in Mortal Kombat 1.
Li Mei and Tanya are the first fighters from the 3D era to officially join the roster of MK1. Li Mei hasn't appeared in an MK game since Mortal Kombat Armageddon. The newest trailer for MK1 also introduced two more fighters, Ashrah and Havik, who were almost forgotten by the series. Their origins have been altered to fit into Liu Kang's new era. While these characters are not new to the series, their significant absence makes them feel fresh to newer fans and gives longtime fans a nostalgic blast from the past.
There are still some vacant roster spots in Mortal Kombat 1, so it is possible that NetherRealm Studios has a couple more forgotten 3D era fighters ready to be added. Additionally, MK1's Kombat Packs have historically been a source of unexpected additions. While fans can already expect beloved fighters like Ermac and Quan Chi in the first Kombat Pack, NetherRealm could use future DLC to bring back even more characters who may not be familiar to players. Regardless of what happens, Mortal Kombat 1 is currently serving as a celebration of the franchise's extensive and diverse history.
Mortal Kombat 1 releases September 19 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.