The Epic Evolution of Scorpion in Mortal Kombat: A Fan Dividing Masterpiece
Fans are torn over the unexpected transformation of Mortal Kombat 1's iconic mascot, Scorpion As he takes on a completely different persona, the franchise's loyal followers find themselves divided Explore the intriguing twist that has stirred up mixed emotions among enthusiasts
Highlights
Fans have differing opinions regarding the recent revelation surrounding Scorpion's possible alternate identity in Mortal Kombat 1, with some finding it perplexing and unnecessary. The alteration in Scorpion's backstory has generated a lot of discussion among fans, particularly when it comes to the dynamics of the character and his rivalry with the Lin Kuei.While there are mostly negative reactions, there are still some users willing to give the new story direction a chance and see how it unfolds in the upcoming game.
Fans have been expressing their thoughts on the recent revelation that Scorpion could have a different identity in Mortal Kombat 1. NetherRealm has clearly stated that the latest Mortal Kombat game will be a reboot of the long-standing fighting game franchise, featuring new versions of classic Mortal Kombat fighters with updated backgrounds and relationships. One prime example of this approach can be seen with Scorpion, the fire-wielding undead ninja who has served as the face of Mortal Kombat since its debut.
Scorpion's portrayal in Mortal Kombat 1 is significantly different from his previous storyline in the old MK timeline and has an ironic twist. Instead of being the sworn enemy of Sub-Zero and the Lin Kuei, Scorpion is now their brother and ally in the fight to save EarthRealm from Shang Tsung's return. This revelation has sparked theories that Scorpion may be an entirely different character in Mortal Kombat 1, which was seemingly confirmed by story director Dominic Cianciolo during the recent San Diego Comic-Con, where he named Kuai Liang (the second Sub-Zero in the original MK continuity) as Scorpion.
The revelation that Kuai Liang could be the Scorpion of Mortal Kombat 1 has generated considerable online debate, as is typical with significant changes to established lore. A Reddit user named Raz0712 raised the question about this twist on the r/MortalKombat subreddit, resulting in a variety of different reactions. Some users are opposed to anyone other than Hanzo Hasashi taking on the Scorpion identity, comparing it to having Clark Kent as Batman, finding it confusing and unnecessary. Others find it odd that Kuai Liang, a character known for his ice powers, now possesses fire abilities in Liu Kang's altered timeline.
While many users respond negatively to Raz0712's post, a number of users are open to seeing how NetherRealm portrays Kuai Liang's story in Mortal Kombat 1 before making a final judgment. Some of the more positive users point out that having Kuai Liang as Scorpion allows for Bi-Han to continue as Sub-Zero for a longer period, deviating from the original timeline where he was killed and later resurrected as Noob Saibot. Others, like user EntrancedForever, are okay with this change as long as Hanzo Hasashi still has a role in the game, particularly if he can break away from the repetitive theme of dead loved ones in Mortal Kombat.
Hanzo's original backstory and rivalry with the Lin Kuei are highly regarded among fans of the original Mortal Kombat lore, so altering or even removing them is a contentious issue. Fortunately, the majority of Reddit responses to the Scorpion twist in Mortal Kombat 1 have remained civil, with most users willing to wait and see how the new Lin Kuei storyline unfolds this autumn.
Mortal Kombat 1 launches September 19 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S
