The Secret Behind Mortal Kombat 1's Ermac Controversy: Unmasking the Ultimate Game Mystery!

Highlights

Mortal Kombat 1 is bringing back characters from throughout the franchise's history, catering to both old-school and modern fans.

Fans are disappointed with Ermac's new design in Mortal Kombat 1 as it lacks his iconic mask, which results in an unusual appearance. However, NetherRealm has the opportunity to rectify this issue by incorporating bandages or reintroducing the mask, thus satisfying fans before the game's release.

In the past 31 years, the Mortal Kombat franchise has built an extensive lineup of characters, and it's only natural for every fan to have their personal favorite. While many modern Mortal Kombat enthusiasts may choose popular characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, or the newer additions like Takeda, longtime fans of the series might opt for lesser-known fighters such as Motaro or Havik. Fortunately, Mortal Kombat 1 appears to be incorporating characters from throughout the franchise's lengthy history, ensuring both types of fans are satisfied.

Currently, there are 15 confirmed fighters for Mortal Kombat 1, with an additional character available as a pre-order bonus. This already provides fans with plenty of options to explore, but Mortal Kombat 1 is not stopping there. Every few weeks, a new group of fighters is unveiled, and recently, Mortal Kombat 1 announced its first DLC roster. Alongside beloved comic book characters like Homelander, Peacemaker, and Omni-Man, the game's first Kombat Pack will also feature iconic Mortal Kombat figures like Takeda, Quan Chi, and Ermac. However, despite the generally positive reception to this Kombat Pack reveal, fans are not entirely pleased with Ermac's redesigned appearance.

Ermac's Appearance Can Be Easily Fixed

Ermac's design in Mortal Kombat 1 is peculiar. After years of being an enigmatic figure in the Mortal Kombat series, with fans speculating a hidden playable character named Ermac, he was officially included in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. Similar to other ninjas in the game, Ermac's design was a mere color alteration of Scorpion's model, featuring a striking red and black appearance. Throughout the years, Ermac's design has mostly remained unchanged, keeping his red and black color scheme, along with the addition of glowing green eyes and black bandages that wrap around his face.

However, the recently revealed design of Ermac in Mortal Kombat 1 has received negative feedback from fans. While it maintains the iconic glowing green eyes and red and black color scheme, there is one major alteration that disappoints many. In Mortal Kombat 1, Ermac is not wearing a mask, and this seemingly minor change significantly impacts his overall appearance, causing him to look unusual. Fans are expressing their dissatisfaction with the new design, especially when comparing it to the versions of Ermac in Mortal Kombat X or even the brief glimpse in Mortal Kombat 11's Krypt mode.

Fortunately, Ermac's design in Mortal Kombat 1 can be improved effortlessly. Despite the time constraint, NetherRealm still has the opportunity to modify Ermac's design before his debut in Mortal Kombat 1. With over a month until the game's release and Ermac being part of the first Kombat Pack, there is ample time for NetherRealm to make adjustments. These adjustments do not need to be extensive. Simply adding some bandages or a mask to Ermac's new design and enhancing the vibrancy of the red color on his outfit would be sufficient to win back fans' favor.

However, even if NetherRealm does not address Ermac's design before his appearance in Mortal Kombat 1, there is still a chance for redemption through an easy solution. While it may not have its own dedicated unlock mode, Mortal Kombat 1 is said to feature its own type of unlock system, where alternate costumes are expected to play a significant role. When Ermac is introduced in the game, it is hopeful that he will come with at least one or two alternate outfits, which could potentially improve his overall appearance and garner a more positive response.

Mortal Kombat 1 launches September 19 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.