The Ultimate Crossover: Mortal Kombat 1's Darrius Takes the Kameo Fighting Scene by Storm
Mortal Kombat's Darrius, often overlooked, finally gets his chance to shine as a Kameo Fighter in MK1 This article explores why this role is the perfect fit for him, showcasing his unique abilities and adding depth to the game's roster
Highlights
Mortal Kombat 1 is introducing a diverse range of characters, including ones that haven't been in the spotlight for a while, adding to the game's fan appeal.
In order to give them greater depth and significance within the game's universe, several fighters in Mortal Kombat have been rebooted and are no longer considered to be "less important."
One such fighter is Darrius, who had a relatively minor role in previous Mortal Kombat games. As a result, he has been reintroduced as a Kameo Fighter, as his lack of a distinctive theme and moveset makes him a suitable addition to the game.
Mortal Kombat 1 is nearing its release, and as more information is revealed, we discover new characters that will be included in the game. The roster is divided between playable characters and Kameo Fighters, ensuring a diverse lineup for fans to choose from. Many fighters who have not been in the spotlight for a while, particularly those introduced during the 3D era of Mortal Kombat, are making a comeback in Mortal Kombat 1. This means that the game will provide plenty of fan service while still maintaining a strong story without compromising it with less significant characters.
Unfortunately, there are a number of fighters in Mortal Kombat who are considered "less important," resulting in significant changes being made in the rebooted universe of Mortal Kombat 1. One example is Baraka, who went from being a villainous henchman to a more sympathetic Tarkatan character. Another such character is Li Mei, who was introduced in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance but only had a minor role in Mortal Kombat X's story mode. While Baraka had the advantage of being a part of the classic 2D Mortal Kombat rosters, many fighters from the 3D era do not have the same luxury. For these characters, the Kameo system offers their best chance of returning in a semi-playable form, with Darrius serving as an early example.
Mortal Kombat Never Gave Darrius A Moment To Shine
The tale of Darius in the Mortal Kombat series is relatively unknown, especially to those familiar with the game. He made his first appearance in Mortal Kombat: Deception, and his only other playable appearance was in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, where his storyline remained unchanged. Darius serves as the leader of the Seidan Resistance in Orderrealm, a faction growing weary of the oppressive government regime. It is interesting to note that despite their natural inclination towards order, they adopt a more chaotic behavior in response to the law. However, Darius is not portrayed as a purely heroic character.
In an effort to secure his faction's victory, Darius resorts to secretly blackmailing powerful Seidans into joining his group. It is suggested that Darius may have employed the responsible assassin to free Dairou, an Orderrealm mercenary who was imprisoned while seeking vengeance for his family, as a means to recruit him. Unfortunately, this storyline does not progress any further, and in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Darius meets his demise without achieving anything significant. His final appearance is a brief cameo in the arcade Towers of Mortal Kombat 11, making his appearance in the original Mortal Kombat game quite surprising.
Being A Kameo Is Just Right For Darrius
Given Darrius' lack of significance in Mortal Kombat's lore, it is logical that he would be reintroduced as a Kameo Fighter. Like many 3D MK characters, Darrius suffered from a lack of distinct theme in his appearance and moveset, making it necessary for Li Mei to undergo a substantial reinvention for her playable return in Mortal Kombat 1. With the exception of a body-rearranging Fatality, Darrius lacks sufficiently interesting attacks to smoothly transition into a modern fighting game, hence the Kameo Fighter role being the best fit for him at present.
Being part of the Kameo roster also means that Darrius does not yet require a place in the new universe of Mortal Kombat 1. Considering his previous Orderrealm side plot didn't progress, this isn't a significant loss. Given the current state of MK's realms, with elements of Orderrealm and Edenia becoming part of Outworld, the presence of a militant enemy faction has already been hinted at in marketing materials. If fans are correct about General Shao leading it, there is no space for Darrius' Seidan Resistance. Darrius and other forgotten Mortal Kombat characters like him may have an opportunity in the future thanks to MK1's Kameo system. However, for now, it is advisable for them to remain on the sidelines.
Mortal Kombat 1 will be released on September 19 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
