Ah, the rebooted series reboot, the last refuge of a team who has run out of ideas, surely? After 11 servings of various shades of ultra-violent, censor-baiting martial arts mayhem, the Mortal Kombat (MK) gang signals a back-to-the-beginning approach with Mortal Kombat 1.
Presumably, the numeral 1 indicates that this Mortal Kombat installment returns to its roots, delivering intense combat and brutal finishing moves that fans have come to love. However, the title also signifies an origins story for the 22 fighters featured in this game.
In 2011, the MK series underwent a makeover with a history reboot, but Mortal Kombat 1 takes it a step further by rewriting the chronology and establishing the settings once again for the iconic battle between EarthRealm and Outworld. Developer NetherRealm explores the background stories of beloved characters like Liu Kang and Raiden, shedding new light on how they became the powerful warriors we know.
Mortal Kombat stands out from other fighting games with its strong narrative, and Mortal Kombat 1 continues this tradition by weaving a lengthy and captivating story around the intense fights. Resurrections, betrayals, and unexpected plot twists keep players engaged in this pleasingly absurd and well-acted adventure. Even the mighty thunder god Raiden takes on the role of a humble peasant farmer in this tale.
While NetherRealm has rewritten the series’ history, Mortal Kombat 1 maintains the steep learning curve the franchise is known for. Casual players who simply mash buttons will miss out on the elaborate attacks, counters, and the iconic finishing moves. Unlike recent games like Street Fighter 6 which offer simplified controls, Mortal Kombat 1 sets a high bar for skill, catering to the most dedicated players. The tutorial and story mode fail to teach players the special moves of each character, which is a puzzling omission.
A small concession is the addition of a tag-team partner called a Kameo, featuring lesser-known characters who can be summoned for quick supplementary attacks, albeit with a long cooldown.
For long-time fans, Mortal Kombat 1 offers satisfying fighting mechanics to explore, including the Kameo combos. However, it falls short compared to Street Fighter 6 in terms of customization options and overall breadth. While the story mode is impeccably presented, the online multiplayer and the new Invasions mode feel somewhat lacking. The Invasions mode, which presents itself as a tabletop board game, quickly becomes repetitive and will require frequent updates to maintain interest.
Decades after its initial release, Mortal Kombat 1 still manages to shock with its violent content. The infamous Fatalities, although somewhat cartoonish and played for laughs, remain unnecessary in a fighter that has enough substance to stand on its own.
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