Mortal Kombat 1: The Art of Minimalism

NetherRealm's latest entry in the Mortal Kombat franchise, Mortal Kombat 1, is a reboot and continuation of the existing plot, allowing the studio to make bold changes to the established universe. To achieve this, one potential solution is to limit the number of playable characters, as seen in the earlier games of the series. This approach would not only allow for more in-depth development of each character's story but also enhance their unique movesets. While Mortal Kombat's expanding roster has become a staple of the franchise, a smaller character list may be the best option for Mortal Kombat 1, especially as it represents a new beginning for the series.

Mortal Kombat 1 Should Fully Explore Classic Characters Before Adding New Ones

The reshaped universe brought about by Fire God Liu Kang in the debut trailer of Mortal Kombat 1 has had a significant impact on the lives of the game's combatants. This presents an opportunity for NetherRealm to explore and reshape the histories and motivations of some of the franchise's most iconic characters. Rather than flooding the roster with new fighters, NetherRealm should focus on exploring the core combatants' drastically reshaped lives in the campaign mode of Mortal Kombat 1. By keeping the roster small, each character can play a significant role in shaping the reborn universe's future. This approach would also help the game's narrative feel more fleshed out, resulting in a better fighting game experience. While recent Mortal Kombat games have given nearly every fighter some time in the spotlight, the increasing number of characters has resulted in campaign modes that feel more like a series of quick cuts and cameos than a proper story.

What Mortal Kombat 1’s Roster Lacks in Quantity, It Should Make Up for in Quality

By releasing Mortal Kombat 1 with a smaller roster, the game could focus on providing more depth to each character's gameplay. Rather than having a large quantity of playable characters, the game could prioritize quality by creating combatants with a broad moveset that encourages players to learn their nuances. Additionally, the game could still feature fan-favorite fighters through the use of the Kameo system, where they could appear mid-match to offer assistance. This system could also allow NetherRealm to track which Kameo fighters are popular with players and potentially bring them back in future DLC and expansions. With the restructured timeline of Mortal Kombat 1, enemies may even find themselves fighting side-by-side against new threats.

NetherRealm's decision to focus on a smaller character roster and enhance the combat mechanics in Mortal Kombat 1 sets the stage for a franchise revival. This may require fans to exercise patience, as they await the chance to play as secondary fighters such as Officer Kurtis Stryker in future expansions. The game will be available on PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S starting September 19.