Unleashing the Unprecedented Impact: Mortal Kombat 1's Title Continues to Resonate
Mortal Kombat 1's unconventional title poses a potential challenge for the upcoming game, creating an intriguing yet uncertain situation, despite the high expectations it has generated
Highlights
Mortal Kombat 1's title may seem odd for a sequel, but it makes sense in the context of the game's remade universe and storyline.
The confusion surrounding the game's title, particularly for those who are not familiar with Mortal Kombat 11's canonical ending, is one concern. However, the larger issue lies in potential difficulties with naming future sequels.
Labeling the upcoming game as Mortal Kombat 2 is not feasible given the existence of that game. However, reverting to numbered titles would lead to a strange sequence of 11, 1, and 13.
The title of Mortal Kombat 1 may be perceived as strange, particularly for a sequel, but its true meaning has yet to be fully understood. While the title does align with NetherRealm's intentions for the game, its significance can only carry it so far. Ultimately, gameplay remains the most crucial aspect, and Mortal Kombat 1 appears to excel in that regard. However, as time progresses, the game's title may require further clarification.
Given the recent evolution of fighting games, Mortal Kombat 1 seems poised to be a formidable addition to the genre. The game exhibits ambition, boasting an extensive roster spanning the series and a fresh storyline that challenges established norms of the Mortal Kombat universe. With the announcement of DLC fighters and an entirely new game mode, players have plenty of reasons to be enthusiastic about the upcoming release. Mortal Kombat 1 has the potential to be a significant installment for the franchise. The main question now is whether the final product can live up to the heightened expectations. In the future, as attention turns towards a sequel, fans may begin to question the series' naming conventions.
Mortal Kombat 1's Title Puts the Next Game in an Odd Place
Despite initial skepticism, Mortal Kombat 1's revamped universe provides a logical explanation for its new title. Following the defeat of Kronika and Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 11, Liu Kang ascends to godhood and utilizes his newfound powers to reconstruct the timeline, striving for a more peaceful world. As the inaugural game set in this fresh timeline, Mortal Kombat 1 effectively serves as a reboot of the series, hence its chosen title. In light of this context, the rationale behind the game's name becomes apparent.
Regrettably, there are still a few drawbacks associated with the game's title. Players unfamiliar with Mortal Kombat 11's canonical ending may find themselves perplexed by this decision. Furthermore, engaging in conversations about the game could prove challenging, since other franchises that have undergone reboots with similar titles to their original entries have encountered similar issues. While Mortal Kombat 1 signifies the first game in the series with this specific title, it is not uncommon for people to refer to the initial Mortal Kombat game in this simplified manner. Consequently, despite the explanation, confusion is bound to arise from the title itself.
The name of Mortal Kombat 1 poses a significant problem that will become more apparent with the release of the next game in the series, regardless of how well the story of Mortal Kombat 1 justifies it. Since there already exists a game called Mortal Kombat 2, the sequel cannot simply be named Mortal Kombat 2. One option is to continue the numbering sequence, although this would create an unusual pattern with the games going from 11, to 1, to 13. Alternatively, another possibility is to reintroduce subtitles, similar to what was done with Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance. However, no matter what, the sequel cannot be simply called Mortal Kombat 2 without causing further confusion. Mortal Kombat 1's title may end up being the most challenging aspect of the game, due to its odd position in the series. Even if Mortal Kombat 1 improves upon the mistakes of previous entries, it could potentially create a whole new issue solely because of its name. It appears that the title will always be in an awkward position, regardless of what happens next, despite its clear meaning. Mortal Kombat 1 may mark the beginning of a new cycle, but the subsequent game will need to come up with a very creative title.
Mortal Kombat 1 will be released on September 19, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
