The Unparalleled Impact of Mortal Kombat 1's Smoke: A Game-Changer for the Lin Kuei

Highlights

Mortal Kombat 1 introduces a new universe with Fire God Liu Kang and a potentially upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament.

In Mortal Kombat 1, the Lin Kuei, along with Smoke, have gone through notable transformations to become a less troublesome faction. Smoke brings a relatable human perspective to the group, enabling them to seamlessly integrate into the Earthrealm.

Mortal Kombat 1 approaches its release date with constant news updates and public tests. Many playable characters and Kameo Fighters available at launch have already been revealed. Trailers have unveiled Mortal Kombat 1's new Fire God Liu Kang-made universe, shedding some light on the state of Earthrealm and Outworld. While the story's driving force remains unclear, it is evident that warriors from all realms are gathering, possibly for a new Mortal Kombat tournament.

Simultaneously, numerous side plots and altered story details are falling into place. The San Diego Comic-Con 2023 trailer revealed that Outworld, fueled by MK1's Edenian elements, may enjoy relative peace. However, it faces threats from a Tarkat plague and a rival militant faction. The previous Lin Kuei-focused trailer hinted at these developments, introducing Rain as an Outworld sorcerer instead of an Edenian prince, along with the introduction of the purple color ninja. Furthermore, the Lin Kuei themselves have undergone changes, reflected in not only their standard representative Sub-Zero but also in Smoke, providing a better measure of their transformations.

MK1 Smoke Paints The Lin Kuei In A Better Light

Smoke and the Lin Kuei have a longstanding history together. This comparison between Smoke's role in Mortal Kombat 1 and the previous timelines highlights the contrast between the old and new universes. In the earlier timelines, Smoke possessed supernatural abilities and was a dedicated member of the Lin Kuei. He was also unaware that he housed the smoke demon Enenra in MK9. In both timelines, he was forcefully enlisted in the Cyber Lin Kuei program, which marked the organization's shift towards villainy.

However, Mortal Kombat 1 presents a different scenario. With the exception of non-canon Kameo Fighters, it's uncertain if the Cyber Lin Kuei still exists. This is a significant development for the organization, although its questionable ethics are evident since they mistakenly orphaned Smoke. Sub-Zero has reverted to being Bi-Han, the malevolent ninja who eventually transforms into Noob Saibot. On the other hand, Scorpion is portrayed as his heroic brother Kuai Liang, rather than their clan's sworn enemy Hanzo Hasashi. While this Smoke could have easily taken on Scorpion's previous role, the Lin Kuei Grandmaster made the decision to personally raise Smoke alongside his own sons, Bi-Han and Liang. Their camaraderie, along with the Grandmaster's desire to maintain the Lin Kuei's honor, indicates that the Lin Kuei in MK1 may have reformed their ways.

Smoke Emphasizes The Mundane Side Of The Lin Kuei

Smoke's portrayal in the rebooted Lin Kuei reflects a significant change in his abilities. Unlike the previous iteration, he is now depicted as a regular human without any signs of Enenra. Additionally, Smoke has replaced several of his previous moves with tool-based approximations. This departure from the traditional ninja magic and futuristic technology gives a refreshing twist to the character, aligning him with other Lin Kuei members like Johnny Cage who showcase their skills without relying on supernatural abilities.

With these changes, the Lin Kuei now seem better suited to Earthrealm's modern setting. While there are still supernatural beings like Raiden and Kenshi, even the more ordinary characters from Special Forces add to the realism of Earth's mundane side. In this context, the Lin Kuei remain an enigmatic and fantastical organization, but their presence and support for Liu Kang's defense of Earthrealm make logical sense. Despite the prominence of Scorpion and Sub-Zero, Smoke manages to stay relevant by exemplifying the subtle adjustments that Mortal Kombat 1 has made to its setting.

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