The Fatal Flaw: How Mortal Kombat 1 Pales in Comparison to Its Predecessors

Highlights

Mortal Kombat 1 is considered a great entry in the franchise, with impressive graphics, a diverse roster, and an exciting story mode.

The Fatalities in the game are ultra-realistic and gory, however, it falls short in terms of variety compared to previous versions as it does not include Animalities, Babalities, Friendships, or Stage Fatalities.

Although the absence of these additional Fatalities is not a significant problem, fans have grown accustomed to their presence in every new release, and their inclusion in Mortal Kombat 1 would elevate it as a true tribute to the franchise.

Mortal Kombat 1 is widely regarded as an excellent addition to the long-standing fighting game series. Although some die-hard fans may desire a different lineup of characters or criticize the game's balance, many players are thoroughly enjoying Mortal Kombat 1. It is commonly recognized as an improvement over previous installments in several aspects.

Among its achievements, Mortal Kombat 1 stands out as the most visually impressive game in the entire franchise, and possibly one of the most visually stunning fighting games overall. In addition to its remarkable technical features, Mortal Kombat 1 offers an engaging story mode, a diverse Kameo system, and a richly varied roster that includes characters from the franchise's 30-year history. Yet, despite being a commendable game, there is one specific area where it falls short compared to its predecessors: its Fatalities.

Mortal Kombat 1's Fatalities Don't Hold a Candle to Previous Entries

Mortal Kombat 1 introduces 23 fighters, each with their own set of two unique Fatalities. These Fatalities are widely regarded as exceptional, showcasing the franchise's best graphics and delivering realistic and gruesome scenes. Pulling off these Fatalities is immensely satisfying, offering a dark pleasure to players. From Smoke's dismemberment and explosion to Liu Kang's black hole Fatality that shreds the opponent's entire body, the Fatalities in Mortal Kombat 1 truly leave an impact. However, while the game excels in this aspect, it falls short in offering other forms of Fatality. Unlike subsequent entries in the series, Mortal Kombat 1 does not include Babalities, Animalities, or Friendships. These additional Fatality types have become expected by fans over the years, making their absence in this installment noticeable.

Mortal Kombat 1 lacks several beloved features such as Animalities, Babalities, Friendships, and Stage Fatalities, which have become iconic elements of the franchise. While the game still offers two Fatalities for each character, as well as a unique Fatality for cameo fighters, it can feel rather limited when those are the only types of Fatalities available. However, Mortal Kombat 1 does include various Brutalities for each fighter, which provide some variety. Despite the absence of these additional Fatalities, NetherRealm has expressed its commitment to supporting Mortal Kombat 1 and has already confirmed a Kombat Pack DLC and hinted at a story expansion. It is also possible that new Fatality types could be introduced in the future. While not a major issue, more Fatalities would certainly enhance the overall experience and solidify Mortal Kombat 1's status as the ultimate celebration of the franchise.

Mortal Kombat 1 is available now on PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.