The Fatal Flaw That Robbed Mortal Kombat 1's Story of its Epic Finale
Mortal Kombat 1's thrilling story captivates players from start to finish, but a disappointingly simple boss fight against Titan Shang Tsung shatters the game's climactic crescendo
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Mortal Kombat 1. Mortal Kombat 1 has received praise from fans and critics for its impressive animations, smooth combat, brutal Fatalities, and stunning visuals, which all contribute to a typically impressive NetherRealm experience. The introduction of the Kameo system has also added depth to the combat and revolutionized the fighting genre. However, even though Mortal Kombat 1 is a great game, it does have its flaws. The Switch port has received heavy criticism, and Megan Fox's portrayal of Nitara has also come under fire. However, the biggest disappointment lies in the game's story mode.
In general, the story mode of Mortal Kombat 1 is just as strong as it has been in the other post-reboot games. It offers arguably the best character development in the franchise, as previously forgettable characters like Baraka and Reptile have become much more likable. The role reversal between Liu Kang and Raiden is entertaining to watch, and fan favorites like Mileena and Kenshi receive well-deserved attention. Exciting plot developments are also set up for Ermac, ensuring that every character has a chance to shine. Unfortunately, there is one character in particular who feels underutilized: the charismatic villain, Shang Tsung.
Titan Shang Tsung’s Boss Fight is Painfully Easy
The Mortal Kombat franchise has delivered a number of challenging boss fights since its reboot in 2011. The battles with Shao Kahn and Kronika, in particular, require multiple attempts to overcome. While this may frustrate some players, difficult fights, especially at the end of a game, are a positive aspect. Bosses should pose a significant challenge, especially those hyped up as major threats. Therefore, it is disappointing that the final fight in Mortal Kombat 1 feels lackluster.
From his introduction as the main villain in Liu Kang's new timeline, Shang Tsung establishes himself as a genuine threat and a captivating antagonist that fans love to despise. His smug demeanor in various cutscenes, coupled with his claims of defeating Fire God Liu Kang in his own timeline, build the expectation for a truly tough battle against him. Regrettably, the fight against Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 11's Aftermath DLC ends quickly, much like any other opponent.
The Shang Tsung boss battle, if it can even be classified as one, puzzlingly consists of only a single phase. In Mortal Kombat 1, regular fights typically occur in a best of three format, so the fact that Shang Tsung falls quicker than the average combatant is truly perplexing. Although it can be somewhat rationalized by stating that every fighter available to players in the final chapter of Mortal Kombat 1 is a Titan, therefore possessing extreme strength, it must be noted that Shang Tsung had already pushed Fire God Liu Kang to his limits in Mortal Kombat 11 and should, at the very least, have equal power.
The brevity and ease of the Shang Tsung encounter is further disappointing due to the lack of spectacle accompanying his defeat. Rather than a gruesome fatality akin to what Kronika experienced, Titan Shang Tsung is simply transported away by Liu Kang, dissolving into sand just as he did at the conclusion of Aftermath. Quan Chi, despite never being engaged in combat, is also teleported away and rendered unconscious. It would have made more sense if one of the phases had involved Quan Chi and the other focused on Shang Tsung, causing uncertainty among players regarding the specifics of his defeat.
While the build-up to Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 1's fifteenth chapter is entertaining, it raises the question of whether a more traditional chapter format would have strengthened the ending of the game. NetherRealm may have wanted to avoid presenting players with a lengthy and challenging boss fight following waves of hybrid fighters in the tower. However, a simple checkpoint before the Shang Tsung battle would have sufficed. The current one-phase fight, where players control a random variant fighter, feels underwhelming and lacks the desired climax. Considering their rivalry, it would have been more satisfying for Liu Kang to defeat Shang Tsung after a demanding battle. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and Shang Tsung was significantly weakened.
Mortal Kombat 1 is now available on PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X.
