Unveiling Baraka's Game-Changing Character Bio and Dazzling New Look in Mortal Kombat 1: A Narrative Twist Like Never Before
With Mortal Kombat 1's groundbreaking narrative shift, Baraka's character bio and new look could catapult him from a minor antagonist to a pivotal and influential force, potentially altering the entire course of the game's story
Highlights
Mortal Kombat 1 introduces bold new directions for the franchise, with familiar characters undergoing significant backstory tweaks in Fire God Liu Kang's universe.
Baraka, once seen as a villain, has now become a highly esteemed Outworld merchant who suffers from the incurable Tarkat disease, leading him to be exiled to a segregated colony. In Mortal Kombat 1, his significance could be enhanced, potentially transforming him into a compassionate and tragic hero.
The Tarkat disease could have a significant impact on the narrative, as Mileena, too, is affected by it. The introduction of Liu Kang's new universe may be thrown into turmoil because of this illness, amplifying the significance of Baraka's role and potentially elevating him to a key figure.
Mortal Kombat 1 is venturing into fresh territory with its long-standing fighting game series, eliciting anticipation among fans for the unfolding events. Building upon the conclusion of the Aftermath DLC in Mortal Kombat 11, Fire God Liu Kang has constructed a "perfect" universe, where he has revived all of his once-lost comrades. However, while familiar faces such as Raiden, Kung Lao, Kitana, Mileena, and Johnny Cage exist in Liu Kang's new realm, they have undergone notable changes from their former selves.
In an endeavor to ensure harmony in this newfound universe, Fire God Liu Kang has modified the backstories of every iconic Kombatant. These alterations range from slight adjustments to the origins of heroes like Kenshi, to more substantial revisions for characters like Sub-Zero and Scorpion, who are now portrayed as biological brothers. The impact of these tweaked backstories on the overall narrative of Mortal Kombat 1 remains uncertain, particularly in the case of characters like Baraka.
How Baraka Could End Up Being a Major Player in Mortal Kombat 1's Story
In the original Mortal Kombat 2 timeline, Baraka is introduced as a warrior from the Tarkatan civilization, a race residing in Outworld. Initially, Baraka serves as a guardian and servant under Shao Kahn, the emperor. However, his true loyalties lie with Mileena, Shao Kahn's daughter who is half-Tarkatan. Together, they endeavor to overthrow Shao Kahn but are unsuccessful, leading to Baraka being banished. Throughout the rest of the original Mortal Kombat timeline, Baraka is seen working for various opposing forces, essentially acting as their puppet.
In NetherRealm's rebooted universe, which started in 2011, Baraka continues to predominantly serve more powerful antagonists. However, he does possess a greater degree of autonomy. At times, Baraka is portrayed as the leader of the Tarkatan army, which he utilizes to challenge Kotal Kahn in Mortal Kombat X. Despite being consistently presented as an antagonist in all the Mortal Kombat timelines, the new universe introduced in Mortal Kombat 11 may alter that perception.
Recently introduced in a trailer, Baraka will be one of the 24 fully playable characters in Mortal Kombat 1. Unlike his previous appearances, Baraka's origin and role in this new universe have undergone significant changes. According to the trailer and Mortal Kombat 1's official bio details, Baraka was once a respected Outworld merchant until he contracted the Tarkat disease. In this revised universe, the Tarkatans are not a distinct race, but individuals affected by a debilitating and incurable disease that causes severe disfigurement.
Due to his contraction of the Tarkat disease, Baraka was expelled from his home in Outworld and forced to reside in a segregated colony specifically created for those afflicted by the disease. With the Tarkat disease having completely overtaken his body, Baraka has emerged as a leader for the colony, striving to improve their lives in any way possible.
The significance of the Tarkat disease in Mortal Kombat 1's storyline has not been confirmed, but it appears that Mileena will be affected by the disease. It is possible that the Tarkat disease plays a crucial role in causing chaos in Liu Kang's new universe. Baraka, who is associated with the disease, may have a larger role in the story, potentially transforming from a minor antagonist into a sympathetic and tragic hero. Mortal Kombat 1 will be available on September 19 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
