After weeks of rumors and teasers, Mortal Kombat 1 has finally been revealed in an official trailer that showcases its reimagined world. As hinted at the end of Mortal Kombat 11, this new installment will reboot the iconic franchise with familiar characters in a world remade by the now ascended Liu Kang, the Fire God.
What happened in MK11?
The game’s story mode starts off with the big bad, Kronika, the Keeper of Time, who is unhappy with how history has played out. She decides to reset time and create a new timeline where she is in control. To do this, she needs to gather the most powerful warriors from different eras and pit them against each other to determine who will be her champions.
The game’s protagonist, Liu Kang, is the leader of the Shaolin Monks, and he immediately senses that something is off with the timeline. He teams up with his old friend, Raiden, the God of Thunder, to try to figure out what’s going on.
The story then flashes back to the events of the previous game, Mortal Kombat X, where we see the fallout from the defeat of Shinnok, the game’s main antagonist. Shinnok’s defeat has left a power vacuum, and various factions are vying for control of the realm, including the newly resurrected Shao Kahn, the former emperor of Outworld.
As Liu Kang and Raiden investigate Kronika’s plans, they gather a team of warriors to help them fight against her. This team includes fan favorites like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya Blade, and Johnny Cage, as well as newcomers like Geras, a powerful time-manipulating warrior who is loyal to Kronika.
Throughout the story mode, players will travel through different eras and realms, battling against various fighters and bosses. One of the standout moments is the return of the classic Mortal Kombat tournament, where Earthrealm’s warriors face off against Outworld’s champions.
But Kronika’s plan is much more significant than just a simple tournament. She wants to manipulate time and space to create a new era where she is in control. This leads to some surprising twists, including the resurrection of some long-dead characters and the revelation of unexpected alliances.
One of the most emotional moments in the story comes when Jax, a former Special Forces operative and long-time Mortal Kombat character, learns that his daughter, Jacqui Briggs, has been killed in the current timeline. Jax is devastated and decides to sacrifice himself to allow his daughter to live in a new timeline.
Another standout moment is the return of Kitana, the former queen of Outworld, who has been resurrected by Kronika. Kitana is torn between her loyalty to Kronika and her love for Liu Kang, who she has a deep history with.
In the game’s climactic battle, Liu Kang and his team face off against Kronika and her allies in a massive final showdown. The battle is epic and intense, with players fighting against powerful bosses like Geras and Cetrion, the Elder Goddess of Life.
Ultimately, Liu Kang and Raiden are able to defeat Kronika, but not without some major consequences. In the aftermath of the battle, Liu Kang becomes the new Keeper of Time, tasked with maintaining the balance of the universe. This also means that he must sacrifice his own mortality, becoming an eternal being with no physical form.
The story ends with Liu Kang and Kitana reunited in the new timeline, ruling as the new king and queen of the combined realms. While there are still some unresolved plot points, the game’s story mode provides a satisfying conclusion to the Mortal Kombat saga.
Mortal Kombat reboot
NetherRealm Studios has stated this is a new chapter for Mortal Kombat, with characters like Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kung Lao, Kitana, Mileena, Shang Tsung, Johnny Cage and others being given new backstories, motives, designs and abilities. What remains the same is the franchise’s commitment to over-the-top, bloody battles and gruesome fatalities – as clearly shown in the game’s cinematic trailer.
The trailer showcases a new era for the Mortal Kombat universe. Liu Kang narrates the trailer and explains the new timeline, featuring familiar characters who have not yet experienced the tragedies of previous stories. For instance, we see a young and mortal Raiden, accompanied by fire god Liu Kang, battling against the returning villain, Shang Tsung. The trailer also promises the franchise’s signature brutal action scenes.
Familiar fighters may look slightly different but can still slice opponents in half, crush heads, slit throats and punch through flesh and tissue with knives. What more could you want from a Mortal Kombat game?
Mortal Kombat 1 will feature more story mode content during regular gameplay with “an immersive cinematic narrative featuring unexpected twists on classic rivalries and original backstories for a wide-ranging cast of legendary fighters.”
The game also introduces the Kameo Fighters system described as “a unique roster of partner characters that can assist during matches, creating expanded gameplay possibilities for players.” While these fighters have yet to be revealed, some speculate this is how guest characters like Homelander (The Boys), Peacemaker (The Suicide Squad) and Conan the Barbarian may appear.
Mortal Kombat 1 will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC and Nintendo Switch on September 19, 2023. It will be available in several special editions at launch:
Standard Edition ($59.99 USD) – Includes the base game physically or digitally
Premium Edition ($109.99 USD) – Includes the base game + Kombat Pack + early access + 1,250 Dragon Krystals
Collector’s Edition ($249.99 USD) – Includes the base game (PS5/XSX only) + all Premium Edition content + a 16.5-inch Liu Kang statue + Liu Kang skin + 3 art prints + steelbook case + 1450 extra Dragon Krystals
Pre-orders for all editions will open worldwide on May 19, 2023. Those who preorder will get access to fighter Shang Tsung and the game’s beta.
Mortal Kombat 1 will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC and Nintendo Switch on September 19, 2023. It will be available in several special editions at launch.
