The Last of Us: A Potential Catalyst for the Next Generation of Mortal Kombat Games
Possible output: New Mortal Kombat games may take inspiration from The Last of Us, introducing fresh elements to the franchise The success of the post-apocalyptic adventure could influence the storyline, gameplay mechanics, or marketing approach of future MK titles, adding more depth and diversity to the brutal battles (185 characters)
Ed Boon, co-creator of Mortal Kombat, has hinted that future installments of the game could be named after Naughty Dog's The Last of Us series. This comes after the surprise announcement earlier this year that the latest Mortal Kombat game would be titled Mortal Kombat 1, instead of the expected Mortal Kombat 12. The reset is explained within the game's universe, as it marks a new era for the franchise following the creation of a new timeline by Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat 11's Aftermath DLC. While MK 1 reflects this new status quo, NetherRealm may turn to the dark and brutal world of The Last of Us for inspiration in future titles.
NetherRealm's Ed Boon recently shared with GamesRadar his thoughts on what a potential sequel to Mortal Kombat 1 would be called. According to Boon, it would either be named Mortal Kombat 2, or take inspiration from The Last of Us and receive a "Part 2" subtitle. Boon clarified that they definitely wouldn't label it as Mortal Kombat 13, emphasizing that the first game was more of a fresh start rather than a continuation of the franchise's past entries.
According to Boon, the high numbers of previous Mortal Kombat installments may intimidate new players who feel they need to play the previous games to understand the story. While Mortal Kombat 1 wasn't originally designed as a starting point for beginners, Boon believes that the updated version and rebooted storyline will attract new players. If successful, future Mortal Kombat games may follow in the footsteps of The Last of Us series by incorporating numbered titles such as Mortal Kombat Part 2 or Part 3. Boon has previously mentioned The Last of Us on social media, indicating that NetherRealm Studios may draw inspiration from the gritty post-apocalyptic franchise for future Mortal Kombat titles.
Mortal Kombat 1 will be released on September 19, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: GamesRadar
