A Familiar Face, Yet a New Beginning: The Mortal Kombat 1 Review
Mortal Kombat 1, the 12th installment in the iconic fighting game series, arrives with a bold move: a reboot of the timeline that resets character histories and relationships. While this might seem like a fresh start, it also raises questions about how much innovation NetherRealm Studios brings to the table. Does this "reboot" deliver on its promise of a revitalized experience, or is it merely a rehash of familiar moves and storylines? Let’s delve into the gory details and find out.
A Story That Feels Familiar, Though Rewritten
Mortal Kombat 1 opens with Liu Kang, now a god, explaining his vision for a peaceful timeline. This sets the stage for a revamped backstory, where classic rivals like Scorpion and Sub-Zero are now brothers, and the villainous Shang Tsung is a mere peddler of fake cures. Mileena, once a terrifying clone of Kitana, is now her twin sister, burdened by a Tarkatan virus that grants her enhanced abilities.
This change breathes life into familiar characters, offering new perspectives and motivations. While the story mode features stunning cinematics that seamlessly transition into combat, some aspects feel overly familiar. With the recurring themes of Shang Tsung’s ambition and the Scorpion/Sub-Zero rivalry playing out once more, the story struggles to break away from the established lore.
The campaign’s pacing and character development also feel uneven. You guide different characters through 15 chapters, but the constant shifts in perspective can make it hard to build an emotional connection with anyone beyond the core Earthrealm fighters. The story’s quick jumps between characters and the abundance of exposition leave little room for nuanced storytelling and can even make the dialogue feel clunky.
By the story’s midpoint, the introduction of a sprawling cast further complicates matters. Characters appear and disappear without much impact, their stories often feeling rushed and underdeveloped. While the inclusion of alternate timelines and twisted characters creates some interesting scenarios, the overarching narrative ultimately suffers from a lack of focus, becoming a messy culmination of multiversal chaos.
Combat: Brutal, Flashy, and Familiar, But with a Twist
While the story may present a mixed bag, Mortal Kombat 1 excels in its visceral combat system. The game delivers an satisfyingly brutal experience with each punch, kick, and special move packed with a satisfying weight and a liberal dose of blood splatters.
The controls are relatively simple, allowing even newcomers to quickly chain together impressive combos and deliver devastating blows. The addition of the "Enhance" mechanic, which allows players to amplify special moves with a press of a button, further increases the dynamism of the combat.
However, it’s important to note that while Mortal Kombat 1’s gameplay caters to those who enjoy flashy attacks, mastering the intricacies of the game involves much more than button mashing. The competitive scene will likely favor players who can execute advanced combos and counter-attacks, highlighting the game’s depth and complexity beneath the surface.
The introduction of the Kameo system offers a fresh take on the fighting system with a strategic element that can change the tide of battle. The ability to call in a partner fighter for quick assists adds a valuable layer of support while maintaining the core combo system. The presence of Kameos allows for strategic interplay and tactical decision-making that goes beyond traditional fighting game mechanics.
Mortal Kombat 1 remains a spectacle of gory delights with its infamous Fatalities. These brutal finishing moves, triggered after defeating an enemy, are more hyper-realistic than ever and deliver a gruesome payoff. From Reptile’s acidic vomit-inducing fatality to Kitana’s fan-powered disintegration, each fatality is unique and shockingly detailed.
Invasions: An RPG-Infused Mode with Potential
Mortal Kombat 1 introduces Invasions, a new single-player mode that takes inspiration from board games and RPGs. Players navigate a sprawling map, engaging in battles against alternate versions of MK characters and earning rewards such as cosmetics, currency, and concept art.
While the mode offers a change of pace from the traditional fighting game experience, its RPG elements feel somewhat underdeveloped. Leveling up characters and acquiring stat enhancements provide minimal impact on gameplay.
Additionally, Invasions can feel repetitive, as players often find themselves facing similar challenges and enemies. While the presence of consumable items and talisman enhancements aims to add variety and strategic options, these elements fail to truly impact the core gameplay loop, leaving the mode feeling somewhat underwhelming.
NetherRealm’s plans for regular updates to the Invasions mode with new challenges and stories have the potential to breathe new life into this potentially engaging concept. However, as it stands now, the mode falls short of being a truly compelling addition to the overall experience.
Verdict: A Solid Entry with Room for Improvement
Mortal Kombat 1 delivers a satisfying fighting game experience with a focus on brutal combat, flashy displays, and gory Fatalities. The introduction of the Kameo system brings a new element of teamwork to the game, while the Invasions mode attempts to diversify the gameplay with RPG elements.
Despite the game’s strengths, Mortal Kombat 1 doesn’t quite break free from its familiar roots. The story, while visually captivating, feels stagnant in its plot points, and the Invasions mode fails to deliver on its promise.
Overall, Mortal Kombat 1 is a solid entry in the franchise, but it lacks the groundbreaking impact of previous installments. The series’ dedicated fans will likely find much to enjoy within its gory combat and flashy displays, but the reboot might not fully satisfy those seeking a new and innovative chapter in the Mortal Kombat saga.
