In Mortal Kombat 1, players are re-introduced to Liu Kang, who has ascended to the role of The Keeper of Time by gaining control over The Hourglass. Wielding his newfound power, he initiates a universe reset, forging a new timeline from the ground up. This leads to unexpected alliances and inversions of morality. However, Liu Kang soon discovers a disruptive force manipulating events from the shadows, placing the new timeline and its inhabitants in grave danger. He must assemble a team of warriors to safeguard the universe and its diverse timelines.
As noted in my review of the movie Mortal Kombat, I wouldn’t classify myself as a hardcore fan of the franchise. However, the game series has consistently held my interest, and I recall spending considerable time with the original title upon its initial release in the 90s. A common challenge I’ve encountered with fighting games is that a lack of familiarity with the extensive move lists can quickly lead to a sense of repetition.
Mortal Kombat 1 marks the second reboot in the history of the Mortal Kombat series. Interestingly, the game functions as both a reboot and a sequel. Previous events within the established lore remain canonical, while simultaneously unfolding within an alternate timeline—a concept increasingly prevalent in modern film and television. This approach offers a logical explanation for encounters with character doppelgangers, as these variations originate from different timelines.
Story modes in fighting games are often perceived as secondary to the core gameplay. However, Mortal Kombat 1 features a compelling and well-crafted narrative that serves as an excellent introduction to the Mortal Kombat universe, offering both a recap of past events and a fresh perspective on the world.
Mortal Kombat 1 delivers the over-the-top gore and intense action that define the series. The game showcases a high degree of creativity in its depiction of brutal combat. While mastering the move sets requires practice, the game provides a comprehensive tutorial section, offering detailed instructions for each attack and special move.
Mortal Kombat 1 introduces the Kameo system, where players select a secondary character to assist in battle. These Kameo characters briefly enter the fight to execute specific moves before retreating, adding a new layer of strategic depth to the combat.
While I consider myself a novice in the fighting game genre, Mortal Kombat 1 proved surprisingly accessible. Even playing on medium difficulty, I was able to progress through the story mode without significant difficulty. This reduced frustration allowed me to focus on learning the game’s mechanics and expanding my enjoyment of the experience.
The controls are complex, with a vast number of combinations to learn. However, as mentioned previously, the tutorial mode is an invaluable resource, and mastering the game ultimately requires dedicated practice.
The graphics are stunning, featuring richly detailed environments. The seamless integration of combat into the story mode creates an interactive cinematic experience, albeit one where the plot remains fixed. Failing to win a required fight necessitates a retry to advance. While the final chapter allows players to select a character, the overall ending remains consistent, with cutscenes tailored to the chosen warrior.
Beyond the Story mode, players can engage in traditional versus matches against AI opponents, local friends, or online competitors. However, venturing online without adequate preparation can be a humbling experience, as highly skilled players can quickly exploit any lack of proficiency.
The classic tower challenges also return, ranging from six fights to increasingly lengthy and difficult gauntlets. The highest tower offers an infinite number of battles, encouraging players to strive for the highest possible score.
Invasions mode presents a unique experience, tasking players with navigating their character through various environments and engaging in battles to progress. Movement is restricted to up, down, and sideways, and players can acquire upgrades and shields to enhance their abilities and alter their gameplay experience.
Mortal Kombat 1 does exhibit a few minor issues that warrant mentioning, although they are likely to be addressed in future patches. During my testing on the Xbox Series S, I encountered instances of audio dropping out, occurring approximately three times in total. This was resolved by exiting to the Xbox menu and re-entering the game. Additionally, the game crashed once during the final battle, potentially due to the demanding graphical load. While understandable, the game should be optimized for the target console.
In conclusion, I recommend Mortal Kombat 1 as a must-have title. The fact that even a relative novice like myself found the game thoroughly enjoyable speaks volumes about its accessibility and design. It serves as an excellent entry point for players interested in learning the intricacies of the various characters and their special moves. My positive experience with Mortal Kombat 1 has even inspired me to explore other titles in the series. Veteran Mortal Kombat players will find the challenges they expect, along with a host of new content, including purchasable characters such as Peacemaker and Homelander (from The Boys). Omni-man from Invincible will be the first DLC character released with J.K. Simmons reprising his role as the voice actor. It is unknown if John Cena will voice Peacemaker as Antony Starr is not voicing Homelander. These characters will be released gradually between late 2023 and spring 2024.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment provided a review copy for this assessment. Provision of the material does not influence the objectivity of this review.
