A reboot set to bring the series back to its roots,Mortal Kombat 1has taken on its title despite being the twelfth mainline entry in NetherRealm’s legendary fighting game franchise. A mainstay of both the arcade and console era of 2D and 3D fighters, the infamously violent franchise has taken many twists and turns on its path to becoming one of the top-selling series in its industry. WhileMortal Kombat 1may be hearkening back to the days of the original trilogy, years of experimental outings have seen a nearly countless array of Kombatants across generations.
NetherRealm has had to handle the decision to have Fire God Liu Kang rewrite history carefully, as this upcoming game will resetMortal Kombat’s timelinefor the third time. Among multiple nearly full casts of forgotten older characters and newcomers of the recent generation seen in the past few games, choosing to go all the way back to the basics might be the most refreshing route the studio could have taken.Mortal Kombat 9may have had a similar dynamic followingArmageddon’s reset, but the new interpretations of existing characters seen inMortal Kombat 1have already given it a completely unique identity.
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Mortal Kombat 1’s Kombatants
Sub-Zero- The grandmaster of the Lin Kuei in this new timeline, Sub-Zero seems to be a bold prodigy that has inherited his role from his father. Growing complacent with the preventative training of his clan,the new Sub-Zeroseems to have political ambitions for the Lin Kuei that he seeks to prioritize instead. More violent and harsh than many players may remember the cold fighter appearing, this incarnation turning out to be Bi-Han (the original Sub-Zero who eventually became Noob Saibot) could make a lot of sense in the end.
Scorpion- In possibly one of the biggest twists to come fromMortal Kombat 1’s new timelines, Scorpion has been reinterpreted as the brother of Sub-Zero and fellow member of the Lin Kuei. Seeming to have completely shed his undead wraith history, Scorpion now poises himself to engage in a much more productive rivalry with Sub-Zero. Disappointed by his brother’s disregard for their clan’s tradition, keeping his icy brother in check could eventually bleed into a deeper conflict. Following the logic of the series' past, this world’s Scorpion could actually inhabit the identity of Kuai Liang, the original timeline’s Sub-Zero.
Liu Kang- The new face of the game, Fire God Liu Kang has taken the role that Raiden once occupied after he restarted history at theend ofMortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. When his “New Era” characterized by everyone’s “opportunity to find peace” is threatened by a mysterious enemy, he fights to preserve reality.
Kung Lao- In a new world without his loyal companion Liu Kang at his side, the life of Kung Lao seems to be totally different despite his relatively similar appearance. A simple farmer of the fields in this new timeline, Kung Lao is just a young warrior that seeks to earn glory and make something of his life this time around.
Raiden- A far cry from theRaiden, God of Thunderthat fans are familiar with, the Raiden of this newMortal Kombatis a young farmer from the same village as Kung Lao. Apparently a selfless and kind man, he may have taken up Liu Kang’s original role as the humble hero to be guided by an elemental god.
Kitana- In a subversion of her usual story, it seems that Kitana is not in the same position of royalty as in Outworld. With Mileena serving as the true princess being trained for the role of Empress, Kitana’s new role sees her loyally serving her sister as the two are closer than ever before.
Mileena- Appearing as the older twin sister to Kitana and the true heiress of Outworld inMortal Kombat 1, this new version of Mileena is apparently no longer a half-Tarkatan clone that was created as a twisted imitation of the princess. Identical to Kitana untilMileena developed the “Tarkat disease"that causes her disfigurement, this could be the most nuanced take on the femme fatale that the series has ever seen.
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Johnny Cage- DitchingMKXandMK11’s character development of him into a mature member of the Special Forces, Johnny Cage is back to his Hollywood movie star persona. With his luxurious mansion serving as one of the game’s most memorable stages so far, Johnny Cage’s new story as a fading 21st-century social media star is a refreshing update.
Kenshi- One of the biggest changes to the previous lore, Kenshi has been reimagined as a reluctant member of a family associated with the Yakuza that seeks to retrieve his classic Sento blade. Initially revealed without his signature blindness, the story ofMortal Kombat 1could see Kenshi losing his sight as he develops into the character fans are familiar with.
Shang Tsung- The final foe of Liu Kang in the good ending toMortal Kombat 11’s Aftermath DLC, Shang Tsung was apparently wiped from existence with the advent of the Fire God. With Shang Tsung emerging from a portal inMortal Kombat 1’s reveal trailer, however, fans have theorized that the sorcerer’s sinister world that was created in Aftermath’s bad ending could potentially exist as well. Whether this is a new version of Shang Tsung or not, he is only available as a downloadable content character locked behind pre-ordering the upcoming title.
Smoke -Loyal to his fellow Lin Kuei members Sub-Zero and Scorpion, Smoke seems very close to the pair despite not being a blood relative of the brothers. Wielding his signature smoke-themed abilities and a new knife-focused fighting style, Smoke has returned to the glory days of his human form that was prevalent back inMortal Kombat 9. Brutal but extremely quick with his strikes as he teleports and utilizes aerial movement, this interpretation of Smoke has truly made him feel like aMortal Kombatninja.
Rain -Completely reimagined as more of a staff-wielding sorcerer who still manipulates water, Rain has made it into the base roster of a game for the first time sinceArmageddon. A part of an antagonistic force that the Lin Kuei serving Liu Kang comes up against, Rain has maintained his morally dubious nature that has existed since his inception as cocky Edenian royalty within the original timeline. Fitting with the wizard-like elements of his new design,Rain’s movesetfeatures several projectiles that cover the screen along with a teleport sure to make him a technical pick for fans of NetherRealm’s infamously dominant zoners.
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Kameo Fighters Making Their Debut in Mortal Kombat 1
Sonya Blade- All ofMortal Kombat 1’s Kameo fightersseem to be inspired by the original, vintage appearance of each, and Sonya is no exception to this design motif. With her 90s outfit that hasn’t been seen in years, she is just a sign of what could be a callback-heavy Kameo roster.
Jax Briggs- Finding himself as a throwback design just like his partner, Jax’s Kameo appears with both of his undamaged organic arms while still delivering as much pain as ever.
Kano- Completing the Special Forces-themed Kameo selection, the arch-enemy of Sonya and Jax shows up as a Kameo with a look that far predatesKano’s iconic goatee inMortal Kombatgames.
Goro- Seen briefly used in the gameplay trailer, Goro’s Kameo sees him dressed in regal equipment while his body size has been reduced from his traditional big body appearance.
Kung Lao-The classic Kung Laofans are familiar with reappears in the form of a Kameo, bladed hat and all.
Stryker- An updated take on his original first appearance, Stryker’s taser-wielding Kameo seems to be a pure homage to the past ofMortal Kombatin a taste of the fan service yet to come.
Sub-Zero- In a hard confirmation of the throwback aspect to Kameo fighters, this version of Sub-Zero is the classic blue ninja complete with his classicSpine Rip fatality.
Scorpion -Predictably appearing in his classic ninja attire, the Kameo edition of Scorpion doesn’t seem bound by the restrictions of his new iteration’s human form. Pulling off his mask to reveal a skull forthe classic “Toasty!” fatality, this inhuman version of Scorpion all but confirms that Kameo fighters have little to no bearing on the actual lore surroundingMortal Kombat 1’s new world.
Cyrax -Now featuring an HD update to his classic robot attire,Cyrax’s Kameocan be called on to assist the player with both his retractable saw blades and devastating bombs that are seen in his unique Fatal Blow.
Sektor -No appearance of Cyrax would be complete with his red, more sinister counterpart in the form of Sektor. Seeming to favor quick supporting moves like a teleporting uppercut, Sektor’s Kameo is also seen backing up the player with his signature rockets.
Frost -The twisted apprentice who betrayed her master Sub-Zero in the original timeline, Frost makes a surprise appearance among the other members of the Lin Kuei. Despite the prominence of her intensely experimental cyborg iteration that served Kronika inMortal Kombat 11, Frost has returned to the simplicity of her classic design in the vein of otherKameo fighters.
Mortal Kombat 1launches September 19 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X.
