As the clock ticks closer to September 19, fighting game enthusiasts are gearing up for a blood-pumping revival of one of the genre's most influential franchises: Mortal Kombat. Let's chat about the Mortal Kombat 1 Announcement Trailer & What We Know So Far. Warner Bros. Games and NetherRealm Studios, the longstanding custodians of this iconic series, dropped a reveal trailer last Thursday, officially announcing the latest entry into the series, Mortal Kombat 1. This upcoming release is set to hit the shelves for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X later this year.
Mortal Kombat 1 looks back to propel the franchise forward. Eschewing the traditional linear evolution, it journeys deep into Mortal Kombat's rich, often brutal history. The trailer confirmed the return of several classic characters, albeit draped in historical garb. We caught glimpses of a young Shang Tsung, Liu Kang, Raiden, Scorpion, Kitana, Mileena, and Sub-Zero, with some fantastic (albeit rendered) graphics. These versions are drastically different from their familiar contemporary counterparts, a testament to the game's underlying premise of a time-traveling narrative.
This excursion into the past births a "reborn Mortal Kombat Universe," according to NetherRealm and Warner Bros. Liu Kang, now a Fire God, is credited with its creation. The developer teases reimagined versions of iconic characters, a revamped fighting system, and fresh game modes. And let's not forget the signature element that helped Mortal Kombat carve its niche in the gaming landscape — the eye-popping, bone-crushing fatalities, glimpses of which are generously featured in the debut trailer. Those were definitely the highlight for me.
Mortal Kombat 1 also introduces a novel feature called Kameo Fighters, set to infuse an extra layer of strategy and surprise into the game's battles. Kameo Fighters, a unique roster of battle partners, are tipped to be a key tactical asset in the arena, adding a fresh tactical depth to the classic Mortal Kombat format.
The last game from NetherRealm, Mortal Kombat 11, saw its release back in April 2019. It was supported well into 2020 with an additional 12 characters and an expansion pack, "Aftermath." However, the studio revealed in 2021 that its focus had shifted to the next project, now unveiled as Mortal Kombat 1.
The storyline of Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath ended with the notorious villain Shang Tsung seizing Kronika's time-twisting powers. Liu Kang, our resolute hero, outwits Tsung, claims Kronika's abilities, and embarks on a journey to rewrite the Mortal Kombat timeline. He returns to the past to train the original Kung Lao, thereby preparing him for the upcoming Mortal Kombat contests. This intriguing conclusion has certainly set the stage for Mortal Kombat 1's time-travel narrative.
With an exciting leap into the past and several innovative gameplay mechanics, Mortal Kombat 1 is poised to mark a fresh, exciting chapter in the beloved franchise's history. This September, get ready to dive into a radically reimagined Mortal Kombat universe and experience the beginnings of the epic saga like never before. I'm hyped! How about you?
~Smash
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