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The Mortal Kombat series pivots again, stepping into a completely rebooted universe. This shift was foreshadowed at the end of the previous chapter, and now a renewed world with new heroes and foes is on full display. This article compiles everything known about the Summer Game Fest 2023 reveal and the road ahead for Mortal Kombat 1.
The storyline picks up after Mortal Kombat 11 and its expansions. Liu Kang defeats Shang Tsung by wielding a powerful artifact known as the Clock of Time, forging a fresh timeline. In this new reality, Liu Kang ascends to the title of Lord Liu Kang, a god of thunder and fire, and takes on the mantle of world defender previously held by Raiden.
In the first story trailer, Liu Kang explains the new world’s structure: every character can choose their own path, whether to pursue peaceful living or perpetual struggle. Midway through, the revived Shang Tsung makes his ominous return. Several heroes fall to his power, yet Liu Kang stands against him and defeats him in a brutal fatality. The duration of this victory remains to be seen.
The gameplay trailer emphasizes the narrative thread, featuring more cutscenes, dialogue, and character interactions. It suggests Liu Kang is assembling a team of defenders to confront the threats posed by the new universe.
New skins appear for Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Liu Kang, hinting at the formation of this defense team.
In this installment, familiar relationships and roles undergo dramatic shifts. Sub-Zero and Scorpion are revealed as brothers; Raiden is a mortal instead of a god; Milina’s illness has just begun to unfold. How the destinies of other characters will unfold remains to be discovered.
What news do you expect from the series?
Gameplay and graphics
The core combat mechanics stay true to Mortal Kombat’s tradition: vibrant, blood-soaked battles filled with special moves, combos, fatalities, blocks, dodges, and jumps. This entry introduces a cameo fighter system. Players select a main fighter and a cameo character who appears during certain combos, enabling extended combos, interrupting enemy sequences, and even linking joint fatalities.
The cameo fighter UI is shown during on-screen moments, underscoring the new strategic layer in battles.
Another notable feature is Air Combo—an aerial sequence that begins with an air attack and continues on the ground after a brief fall, creating extended punishments for opponents.
Opinions on the visuals are mixed. Some praise richer arena backdrops with more detailed camera work and dynamic environments woven into the story mode. Others feel the look veers toward a more cartoonish aesthetic, and the heightened gore of prior entries may feel less convincing here. Photorealism and motion remain a point of debate, particularly around facial animation quality, which some attribute to past production constraints. The overall animation keeps evolving, but opinions vary among players.
Besides visuals, pacing and content delivery were also discussed, with many noting that the cadence between MK11 and this reboot does not show a dramatic leap and, for some, the progression may feel slower in places.
Highlights and other details
- The action unfolds in a newly created universe, with characters sporting refreshed appearances and backstories.
- The combat system now includes cameo fighters and air combos as core features.
- Graphic reception is mixed: respondents appreciate richer environments but dislike certain facial animations.
- Character movements are expected to shift as destinies and roles evolve in the new world.
- Developers highlighted a compelling storyline during the reveal, though specifics remain ambiguous.
- Initial cinematics draw on a style reminiscent of other fighting franchises, introducing epic pre-battle sequences.
- Rumors point to unexpected guest characters in the roster, with buzz about cameos and cross-franchise inclusions.
- Russian localization was confirmed; system requirements and platform availability were outlined for the launch window.
- The title will feature both traditional multiplayer and a stronger emphasis on story mode, aiming to deliver a richer single-player journey.
- A Collector’s Edition offers collectible items alongside standard content, inviting players to pre-order for extras.
- Server testing and future crossplay/cross-progression features are planned post-launch.
The roster, including both main and cameo options, remains a topic of anticipation. Early indicators suggest around 24 primary fighters and roughly 16 cameo entrants, with pre-orders and store listings hinting at key inclusions and potential surprises.
The game is scheduled for release on September 19 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, with pre-orders currently available.
Screenshots of Mortal Kombat 1
Looking forward to the next Mortal Kombat game?
Attribution: VG Times