Welcome to the brand new period

NetherRealm Studios is rebooting the Mortal Kombat universe once more with Mortal Kombat 1. The marginally confusingly named MK takes the whole lot again to its origins, after which twists it. The characters and fight which have turn into enshrined in popular culture historical past are nonetheless right here, however with changes each huge and small.

This sense of outdated nostalgia mixing into new concepts stored coming to my thoughts whereas taking part in Mortal Kombat 1. I bought an opportunity to play some matches of MK1 as a part of Summer season Recreation Fest 2023, climbing the basic towers with every of the characters obtainable. And whereas MK is waiting for a brand new future, there’s nonetheless a bit of it that likes to honor the previous.

Right here comes a Kameo

The largest, most evident addition to Mortal Kombat 1 is its Kameo Fighters. Moderately than duking it out one-on-one, every participant selects a predominant fighter—the one they’ll primarily play as—and a tag-in Kameo Fighter. These characters could be referred to as in to carry out particular assault on occasion, with a cooldown in-between makes use of.
To be clear, Mortal Kombat 1 will not be turning into a tag fighter. These fighters don’t have well being bars, and might’t be totally subbed in. It’s a much less widespread system, but it surely’s been utilized in video games like SNK Heroines. In my playtime, I had Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Kenshi, and Kitana obtainable as predominant characters. For Kameos, I might select Kano, Sonya, or Jax.

Calling in Kameos is simple sufficient. Hit R1, and so they’ll hop in to do an help transfer. Moreover, totally different instructions and inputs can change issues up, like holding R1 to have Sonya cost up her vitality projectile. Some may even have an affect on each gamers, like Jax slamming the bottom.

These Kameo fighters supply an fascinating twist to the standard cadence of Kombat. Choosing a sure fighter may also help shore up one other’s weaknesses. Or, you possibly can lean heavy into their strengths. A pairing like Sub-Zero and Sonya can get cooking quick, or a Kitana / Kano duo is usually a actual ache to method.
Variations like these assist, as Mortal Kombat 1 remains to be an MK recreation at its core. I don’t faux to be significantly proficient at Mortal Kombat; its story and characters are the draw for me, however I don’t actually dive deep into the aggressive aspect of issues. From that perspective, Mortal Kombat 1 feels a bit odd at first. It’s a familiar-feeling recreation with sudden jolts of distinction, due to its Kameos.

Hearth god stroll with me

This unusual sense feels thematically acceptable for Mortal Kombat 1, which takes place in Liu Kang’s new period. For those who didn’t try Mortal Kombat 11 or its DLC Aftermath (you actually ought to), the story of NetherRealm’s time-travel shenanigans sees Liu Kang turn into a brand new god and reboot the universe.

It’s the similar universe, so many acquainted faces return. However due to the shift, some issues have modified. Probably the most notable is the shift in dynamics between characters; Liu Kang is a Raiden-like determine, who appears to be sustaining order in his new world.
The current SGF trailer hints at different adjustments. Kitana appears to be attendant to Mileena, and Kung Lao is filling Liu Kang’s footwear as Earthrealm’s fighter. And Raiden is… just a few dude with lightning powers, I assume? I’m curious to see the place all of this goes.

Apart from shifting these roles, although, my gameplay at SGF confirmed that Mortal Kombat 1 nonetheless has some nostalgia for its roots. Sonya, Kano, and Jax all seem in throwback outfits, in what looks like an homage to the precise first Mortal Kombat. It’s additionally value point out that MK1 is totally attractive. Every thing, from the character fashions and backgrounds to the brutal Fatalities (and the one Brutality I bought accidentally) look implausible.

I’ll say, the Fatalities I noticed didn’t do an excessive amount of for me. The virtually-cartoonish, Itchy and Scratchy ones are extra my type, and those I noticed didn’t fairly hit that mark, exterior of possibly Liu Kang’s. There’s, apparently, one the place Jax grows to huge proportions and stomps on somebody. In order that’s fairly neat.

Extra-tal Kombat

My gameplay session largely consisted of seeing how the brand new Kameo fighters performed. And for intense, aggressive followers of MK, it does appear to be the help choices might open up some fascinating combo routes and choices. It actually felt nice when the whole lot clicked for me, and I bought a clean combo with each my predominant and Kameo fighter rolling.
For “kasual” followers, I feel the attraction might be the place it’s been for many who prefer to dip out and in of NetherRealm’s titles: the world of Mortal Kombat. The studio is ranging from an fascinating place, attempting to mess around with the established canon whereas constructing a brand new one. And that could possibly be a fairly fascinating universe to discover in ugly, gory element.

Mortal Kombat 1 will hit PS5, Xbox Sequence X|S, PC, and Nintendo Swap on September 29.

Eric Van Allen

Senior Information Reporter – Whereas Eric’s been writing about video games since 2014, he is been taking part in them for lots longer. Often discovered grinding RPG battles, digging into an indie gem, or hanging out across the Limsa Aethryte.

Extra Tales by Eric Van Allen