The Mind-Blowing Revelations from Mortal Kombat 1 That Will Redefine the Next Game!

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS for Mortal Kombat 1 ahead. Proceed at your own risk.

Mortal Kombat 1, released earlier this month, marked a new era for the beloved fighting franchise. Following the events of Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath, Liu Kang, now the God of Fire and Keeper of Time, created a new timeline with hopes of lasting peace and prosperity. However, Mortal Kombat 1's storyline quickly shattered that peace as an enigmatic figure instigated conflict between Earthrealm and Outrealm. Through its extensive narrative, the game unveiled a complex and captivating new universe, allowing hundreds of fighters to participate in epic battles and tournaments. The conclusion of Mortal Kombat 1 left the future wide-open, offering intriguing hints for the next installment.

Mortal Kombat 1's story maintains the familiar format of its predecessors, granting players control of a single character per chapter to contribute to the overarching narrative. The game's fresh timeline and original origins are particularly enticing, appealing to long-time fans while also providing a starting point for newcomers. However, the revelation that Shang Tsung, introduced in Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath's alternative ending, becomes the main antagonist in Mortal Kombat 1 transforms the story into a more direct continuation. The significance of Aftermath's impact on the final events of the game exceeded fans' expectations and left the new timeline in turmoil.

Mortal Kombat 1 Revealed an Extensive Multiverse

In Mortal Kombat 1, it was revealed that Liu Kang and Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath were not the only rulers of their own timelines. Each fighter from the Aftermath roster ruled an alternate reality as the Keeper of the Hourglass, existing in parallel with one another. Prior to the final battle in Mortal Kombat 1, Liu Kang assembles the other heroes from Aftermath, joining their timelines together to wage war against Shang Tsung. This leads to a massive battle between thousands of Kombatants for control over Shang Tsung's timeline.

After a series of intense battles against unique variations of classic fighters, the formidable Titan Shang Tsung of Mortal Kombat 1 is ultimately defeated, causing his timeline to crumble. The fighters are then sent back to their respective timelines, restoring peace. The final scenes of the game show Liu Kang and the Kombatants from his timeline recuperating at home and vowing to protect Earthrealm in future conflicts. However, a mid-credit cutscene unveils Lord Havik, who expresses dissatisfaction with the briefness of the previous battle. Just before the screen fades to black, Havik promises to ensure that the next confrontation between timelines will endure much longer.

How Mortal Kombat 1 Opens the Door to a Unique Future

Mortal Kombat 1's introduction of multiple timelines has opened up a world of possibilities for the future of the series. Even though Shang Tsung's timeline may still be intact, despite his death, the game's potential for exploration is virtually limitless. Each realm within these timelines could offer unique twists and variations. While Titan Liu Kang's universe seems to be the main focus, the reintroduction of Mortal Kombat 11's entire roster and their relationships could play a significant role in the future narrative.

The details of the next Mortal Kombat game are still uncertain. It could potentially delve deeper into the conflict between timelines, as hinted at by Lord Havik. On the other hand, a future Mortal Kombat 1 DLC might further explore this storyline, although it would be more limited in scope. Fans eagerly awaiting news about the future of Mortal Kombat 1 should keep an eye out for the next major announcement, possibly at New York Comic Con.

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