Once again, the anticipation is building as NetherRealm Studios gears up for their next installment in the iconic Mortal Kombat series. Titled "Farewells," the game is set to take us back to the roots of the franchise, reminiscent of the original Mortal Kombat 1. Fans can mark their calendars for September nineteenth, when the game will be released on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. However, it's worth noting that the standard edition will come with a price tag of $70 across all platforms, and there will also be the inclusion of microtransactions in the form of "Snake Pearls," similar to their implementation in Mortal Kombat 11. These microtransactions allowed players to purchase cosmetic items of exceptional quality. But, for now, it's not the microtransactions causing the most excitement. It's the announcement trailer, showcasing what NetherRealm is calling an "animated Mortal Kombat universe.
Mortal Kombat: Gameplay
Let me catch you up on the story so far, but be warned, there are spoilers ahead for those who haven't played the previous game. If you want to avoid spoilers, now is the time to back out. In Mortal Kombat 11, the Earthrealm is in turmoil as Jinsei streams, the life force of the planet, course through its inhabitants. Kronika, the powerful Keeper of Time, aims to reshape history and create a new era.
The game's campaign revolves around the pursuit of the Crown of Souls, which would grant Kronika the ability to achieve her goal. Past versions of iconic characters like Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Jax, Sonya Blade, and others join the fray. Eventually, they team up with their present-day counterparts to confront Kronika. In the penultimate battle, Liu Kang finds himself facing Raiden, as has happened many times before. But this time, instead of one of them perishing, they merge, and Earthrealm's champions arrive at Kronika's stronghold.
Chronologically turning back time, Kronika leaves only Liu Kang to stand in her way. This leads to a climactic battle where Liu Kang must defeat her. After losing one round, Liu Kang seeks guidance from Raiden and prepares for a final showdown. The events of Mortal Kombat 11 culminate in the return of Shang Tsung, aided by other allies such as Fujin and Nightwolf. Shang Tsung cunningly deceives everyone, defeats Kronika, and seizes her powers.
Interestingly, Liu Kang possesses knowledge of these events, much like the others who were present during the development of this timeline-altering saga. After the ultimate battle, Shang Tsung is wiped from existence, and Liu Kang establishes a new era. The conclusion sees Liu Kang preparing the formidable Kung Lao to join the fight in the restored Mortal Kombat universe, which mirrors the events of the original Mortal Kombat 1. Liu Kang acknowledges the changes in Kung Lao, stating, "You are not the Kung Lao I knew," hinting at a story for another time. He selects Kung Lao as his successor, and together they set out to continue their mission. The trailer showcases Raiden emerging from a temple and meeting Kung Lao on the battlefield, signaling their upcoming adventures.
Mortal Kombat: Character
The scene unfolds with the final character choice, a figure adorned with a prominent serpent emblem on his attire. As Raiden stands against a backdrop of looming thunderclouds, one can't help but wonder if he still possesses some remnants of his thunder-based abilities. The next shot reveals Kitana traveling in a carriage, accompanied by guards and watched by onlookers. This suggests that she might be in a regal setting, possibly the realm of Edenia, where Kitana is a princess. While Kitana and Liu Kang have had a complicated history of rivalry, it is unclear why Molina is now accompanying Kitana. Previously, Molina served Shao Kahn alongside Kitana in the original timeline and later took on the role of her sister. Her current motivations remain shrouded in mystery. The focus then shifts to Sub-Zero and Scorpion, who appear to be preparing for a showdown.
The scene transitions, revealing an illustration of unity as brothers and the camera shifts to a peculiar mask. This Sub-Zero is seemingly Bi-Han, known for his ability to freeze, while Scorpion appears to be Hanzo Hasashi, holding his iconic weapon known as the "Spear" or "Stinger." All the while, the overlords gaze upon the same eclipse, hinting at an impending event. Liu Kang acknowledges that even in this new era, there is always something worth fighting for.
Cutting to various intense scenes of violence, Shang Tsung emerges as the ruthless antagonist, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. He slashes Scorpion's throat, impales him through the face with hooks, snaps Molina's neck, stomps on Sub-Zero's head, gouges out Kitana's eyes, and absorbs Kung Lao's soul. With each gruesome act, one can sense Liu Kang's rising determination.
Just as the chaos seems insurmountable, Liu Kang springs into action. He confronts Shang Tsung, berating him for disrupting the harmony. Liu Kang then channels the power of two blazing dragons, lifting Shang Tsung off the ground by his arms. In a swift motion, Liu Kang cleaves Shang Tsung in two, flinging his head toward the frozen earth, resulting in a satisfying splatter.
Mortal Kombat: Story & Trailer
The extent to which all of this will unfold and the exact story details are not yet clear. It's worth noting that the revealed trailer for Mortal Kombat 11 featured a dark version of Raiden and Scorpion engaged in a confrontation, culminating in the final character choice eliminating the past. While this specific event didn't happen in the actual game, it remained a significant part of the trailer's narrative.
Nevertheless, there are certain aspects we can still infer about the story of Mortal Kombat 1 from the trailer. It's evident that Mortal Kombat is still a significant part of the lore, as indicated towards the conclusion of Mortal Kombat 11. It's possible that Shang Tsung, in his own deceptive way, seeks to undermine Liu Kang's new timeline. Perhaps he clings to memories of Liu Kang sparing him in the past, considering it all to be a mere joke. It's unlikely that the story would conclude with Shang Tsung's demise. Additionally, the appearance of the initial Kung Lao raises questions. It suggests that the events of the Edenian war might not have occurred, positioning the story potentially centuries in the past. Notably, characters like Bi-Han, Hanzo Hasashi, and Johnny Cage, who are absent from the trailer, are confirmed to be alive during this period. However, their specific involvement is yet to be determined. This is a different time, and just because Liu Kang altered history doesn't mean other adversaries won't arise to challenge him. After all, they played a significant role in the original timeline while Kronika quietly manipulated events from behind the scenes. It wouldn't be too far-fetched to anticipate the existence of other antagonists like Onaga, the Dragon King, who could wreak havoc. Regardless of the circumstances, one can't help but sympathize with Shang Tsung as he meets his demise after being defeated by multiple champions in the trailer. His unexpected demise after such a formidable display of power might be part of the overarching story, but it certainly leaves a lasting impression.
Mortal Kombat: Release Date
Mortal Kombat 1 is just a few months away, and based on the trailer, it certainly looks impressive. Fans can expect an immersive gameplay experience coupled with cinematic sequences. As the release date approaches, there may be further reveals of additional fighters with their revamped move sets, along with exciting new locations and gruesome fatalities. To add to the excitement, a beta version of the game is set to arrive in August, allowing fans to get a taste of the action before the official launch. The anticipation is building, and it seems that Mortal Kombat is making a strong comeback, promising intense battles and all the gritty brutality that fans have come to expect from the series.
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