Summary
Mortal Kombat 1is bringing NetherRealm Studios' classic fighting game franchise into a new generation with the game’s premise as both a sequel and reboot, but the return of several older characters is also one of the game’s most anticipated aspects. New interpretations of the typical roster of combatants have been introduced alongside seemingly non-canon Kameo fighters, but one ofMortal Kombat 1’s fighters from the series’ older 3D generation has sparked discussion among fans in particular.
Seemingly having a heavier influence on the latestMortal Kombattitle than past entries, the older era of the series that followedUltimate Mortal Kombat3’s adherence to the original formula has been the most controversial. Between the return of Kenshi, Havik, Frost, and evenAshrah, NetherRealm has made it clear that the series’ titles of the 2000s are being honored in an unprecedented way. Revealed recently alongside her 3D peers, the classic lesser-known character Sareena has been confirmed to be returning as a Kameo fighter. Despite her status as a supporting combatant, she still appears to be one of the most updated designs of all, leading fans to speculate on her place in the new world of the upcoming title.
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Sareena’s History as an Underrated Mortal Kombat Kombatant
Originally introduced as one of Quan Chi’s assassins inMortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, Sareena would have a redemption arc and die in the story of the often-maligned spin-off entry. A demon of the NetherRealm, she would return inMortal Kombat: Tournamentfor Game Boy Advance and secure a small spot in the lore of the franchise through her association with the Lin Kuei. When every fighter appeared in the roster ofMortal Kombat: Armageddon, Sareena would end up back under Quan Chi’s control before finally redeeming herself again, a dynamic that has always defined her subtle existence.
WhenMortal Kombat 9rebooted the series for the first time followingthe events ofArmageddon, the scope of the roster was narrowed down from the huge expansion of the past few titles. Leaving behind many auxiliary characters like Sareena, even the follow-upMortal Kombat Xwould only see her appear as a minor background character aiding the Special Forces. With little representation since her glory days, Sareena has often been seen by fans alongside the likes of Kira and Kobra as one ofMortal Kombat’s most forgotten fighters. With the advent of the latest rebooted timeline, however, things seem to have turned around.
Sareena’s Fiery Presence in Mortal Kombat 1
Revealed alongside Reptile and Havik, Sareena was shown off as one of the game’s most unique Kameo fighters. Harnessing her Netherrealm origins, she now has the ability to fully transform into a demon that can support the player in brutal ways. Appearing with a new design that slightly separates itself from her original look, she may also be one of the rare Kameos with lore significance. Seen supportingHavik of the Chaosrealmin her reveal, it’s possible that this new incarnation of Sareena could never have found the redemption that saved her in the original timeline.
An anomaly among the roster of Kameo fighters that consists of more homages to the past of the franchise than actual canon characters, fans have speculated on the strangely small role of a character as revitalized as Sareena. Never a major player in theMortal Kombatuniverse, she seems to be intended as a supporting character by nature despite her growing popularity as a cult-classic character of years past. Requests for her as main roster combatant withinthe next Kombat Packhave begun growing in frequency, but only time will tell how big of a role Sareena will end up playing inMortal Kombat 1.
Mortal Kombat 1launches September 19 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
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