Since its preliminary reveal in May, a serious promoting level for Mortal Kombat 1 has been the reimagining of the sport’s universe. Thanks to the newly minted Fire God Liu Kang’s creation of a brand new universe, whereas each character on the MK1 roster is coming back from a earlier sport within the franchise–the first time that is ever occurred in a MK game–they all nonetheless really feel recent.
Bi Han and Kuai Liang, whereas nonetheless brothers, are actually Sub-Zero and Scorpion respectively. Before, Bi Han finally grew to become Noob Saibot, and Kuai Liang succeeded him as Sub-Zero. Raiden appears to have switched locations with Liu Kang, changing into Earthrealm’s Champion within the Mortal Kombat match as revealed within the MK1 Outworld trailer. The record goes on and on, however there are lots of questions but to be answered.
We’re going to dive deep into a number of the largest mysteries surrounding this new period of Mortal Kombat as MK1 approaches. Will there be much more acquainted faces showing within the story mode? What different characters could be lurking within the shadows? Will Johnny Cage ever cease being a pompous ass? (Spoiler: no, not going). Here’s what we’re seeking to discover out when Mortal Kombat 1 launches later this month.
Liu Kang and Raiden
In a complete function reversal, Liu Kang is now the god of the realm, and the standard lightning-channeling Raiden is his champion in Mortal Kombat. In the earlier universe, the god/champion relationship between the 2 was contentious to say the least, so we’re curious how this new model will play out.
Raiden is described as a humble and type denizen of a village known as Fengjian, the place he spends his days within the fields and at Madame Bo’s teahouse. However, as we have already seen, the Lin Kuei is shaking down Madame Bo for cash, and Raiden and his pal Kung Lao should defend her enterprise. That will clearly be the catalyst for Raiden’s journey–Liu Kang might be seen watching within the background–but the place issues go stays to be seen.
Bi Han and Kuai Liang
As talked about earlier, the dynamic between Bi Han and Kuai Liang has modified dramatically in Liu Kang’s new period. Previously, Bi Han served as Sub-Zero, Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei clan, and Kuai Liang was his youthful brother and eventual successor. After his dying, Bi Han would go on to change into Noob Saibot, and a fierce rivalry between the 2 emerged.
Now, Bi Han and Kuai Liang are nonetheless brothers, however whereas Bi Han is as soon as once more Sub-Zero, Kuai Liang has taken up the mantle of the yellow-clad ninja Scorpion. The two struggle side-by-side utilizing their mixed may to do the Lin Kuei’s bidding, however their personalities are far completely different than earlier than. Bi Han is headstrong, consistently questioning Liu Kang’s management, whereas Kuai Liang tries to be the voice of purpose and secretly worries he could need to problem his brother finally. As for the earlier timeline’s Scorpion, Hanzo Hasashi, he’s nowhere to be discovered… but.
With Kuai Liang changing into Scorpion, now we have one easy query: Where is Hanzo Hasashi? The vengeful ninja who declared struggle towards the Lin Kuei after the homicide of his spouse and little one is lacking in motion in the meanwhile, with nary a point out of his identify to be seen. However, we predict his disappearance is smoke and mirrors… with an emphasis on the primary half.
Smoke’s identification in Mortal Kombat 1 has but to be revealed, nevertheless his backstory is eerily just like that of the unique Scorpion. His official bio on the Mortal Kombat web site says his household was killed after trespassing on Lin Kuei lands whereas looking, leaving Smoke orphaned. A person’s household killed by the hands of the Lin Kuei sounds awfully acquainted, although right here in MK1 the Lin Kuei took the boy in after feeling embarrassed by its actions. Was this boy a younger Hanzo who was proven mercy as a substitute of fury?
The character of Smoke has at all times been tied to the saga of Bi Han and Kuai Liang, simply as Hanzo has. Official lore states Smoke joined Sub-Zero in Outworld again in Mortal Kombat 2, after which hunted him in MK3. Also, the character was sure with Noob in MK: Deception, which created Noob-Smoke. Hanzo, in the meantime, sought vengeance towards the Lin Kuei, realized he was being deceived by Quan Chi, and in the end befriended Kuai Liang.
Now, we nonetheless see Smoke combating alongside Bi Han and Kuai Liang, solely underneath completely different circumstances. Is Hanzo now combating as Smoke? We’ll have to attend and discover out. However, there’s just a few clues hidden prior to now which could seal the deal. For instance, Smoke first appeared in Mortal Kombat II as a non-playable hidden fighter. Whose moveset did he possess in that sport? Scorpion’s. Also, of the cybernetic robots in Mortal Kombat 3, which one had the spear-like assault? Smoke. We do not know if Hanzo will find yourself being Smoke, however it will make sense if he did.
Outworld, the Royal Family, and the Umgadi
Much just like the ninja brothers, Kitana and Mileena’s story has seen just a few main modifications on this new period. Rather than Mileena being a genetic experiment Kitana clone like earlier than, Kitana and Mileena are precise twin sisters. Also, in maybe a extra fascinating twist, it is Mileena who’s subsequent in line for the Outworld throne at present held by their mom Sindel, as she is the older twin. Kitana serves as loyal counsel and guardian of her sister, and from what we have seen thus far, she takes this place very critically.
Despite this now-legitimate lineage, Mileena continues to be bothered with a monstrous aspect, solely now it is half of a bigger contagion: Tarkat. Rather than being their very own race, Tarkatans like Baraka in Mortal Kombat 1 are actually former Outworlders who’re bothered with a critical illness that mutates their physique and, finally, turns them into feral savages. It’s unknown how Mileena contracted the illness, although we marvel if the “horrible tragedy” that value Li Mei her place among the many Umgadi–the all-female defenders of Outworld’s royal family–is associated. Also, ought to Mileena flip feral, it might be as much as her sister Kitana to cease her, loyalty be damned.
Speaking of the Umgadi, underneath Tanya’s biography on the sport’s official web site, they’re described as “sworn to piety and chastity,” however that this oath would “trigger a scandal” if Tanya’s “bond with Princess Mileena” was publicly identified. It appears now we have a star-crossed lovers scenario brewing underneath the floor as properly, and it stays to be seen how Tanya and Mileena’s relationship will complicate issues for them.
With Sindel on the throne of Outworld, the place does that depart Shao Kahn, the earlier timeline’s ruler? While he is not a Kahn anymore, he nonetheless serves the realm as its most prolific navy officer. General Shao’s bio says that, resulting from a incapacity at beginning, his father harshly educated him to be a “bodily colossus” with an “iron will” who serves Sindel within the Outworld military.
However, the Outworld trailer has already proven disagreements between empress and common, notably in terms of the brand new god Liu Kang. Shao needs to guard Outworld in any respect prices, even when it means struggle, and he’d do that “fairly than [be] Liu Kang’s lap canine.” Sindel doesn’t agree, and the 2 appear to be at an deadlock.
Does General Shao have aspirations to the Outworld throne? His bio additionally says that “although General Shao is sworn to serve the empress, his loyalty is to Outworld. If Sindel’s rule ever endangers Outworld, he would be the first to attempt to finish it.” It must also be famous that within the trailer the place he is launched, he is defeating feminine warriors… are they Umgadi? If so, that doesn’t bode properly for the already frayed relationship between Sindel and Shao, and it appears there could also be a mutiny afoot ought to one thing catastrophic happen, like, say, Mileena’s affliction turns into uncovered.
Onaga
One instant change in General Shao’s look are his large horns, which one way or the other make him much more intimidating than earlier than. However, these horns additionally look just like one other main villain within the earlier Mortal Kombat arc, and one we have not seen for the reason that days of the PlayStation 2.
Onaga, the Dragon King, served as the ultimate boss of Mortal Kombat: Deception, and he reduce an imposing picture with large wings and two huge horns on his head. We hear so much about Shao’s father in his backstory, however we have but to see him in motion… Could Shao be the son of the Dragon King?
Whether or not Onaga and Shao are associated, we suspect the previous Dragon King could have some affect over the storyline in Mortal Kombat 1. In a pre-match dialogue between two Liu Kangs, one requested the opposite, “Does Onaga exist in your timeline?” The different Kang responds, “Exist in it? He guidelines it.” This looks as if the kind of tease that will point out the return of the (dragon) king, however we’ll have to attend and see.
Kronika and Shang Tsung
A current preview occasion for Mortal Kombat 1 at NetherRealm Studios in Chicago showcased the primary 20 minutes of this new period’s marketing campaign, and already we have been thrown a large curveball. Kronika, the earlier Keeper Of Time and the primary villain of MK11, exists on this new universe, and he or she already has her sights set on Shang Tsung, who has been lowered to utilizing his shapeshifting powers in his touring salesman endeavors.
It’s a quick interplay, however the seeds of partnership between Kronika and Shang Tsung are clearly sown. Also, it appears Kronika has some data of what occurred within the franchise’s previous, as she mentions how folks have been conspiring towards Shang since his beginning. How did she retain that data? We marvel if Geras, her guardian within the earlier sport who now serves Liu Kang, is appearing as a double agent of kinds.
These are the primary storylines we’re seeing thus far, however there are just a few juicy parts to additionally regulate. Kenshi is attempting to reclaim Sento, his household’s prized sword, however that appears to be hanging over the mantle in Johnny Cage’s oceanside penthouse. Ashrah, a reformed Netherrealm demon, is attempting to purify her soul with a sacred weapon, however Nitara is attempting to say it for herself. With Shang Tsung not Outworld’s high sorcerer, that function appears to have been handed on to Rain.
The record goes on, however we will not assist however discover a through-line with all of those tales. There’s an overarching theme right here in these separate plots, one we suspect may play a serious function within the marketing campaign: The extra issues change, the extra they keep the identical.
Liu Kang has created a wholly new universe, and but:
Bi Han and Kuai Liang nonetheless appear destined to battle one another, due to Bi Han’s aggressiveness and Kuai Liang’s uncertainty.
If Smoke is certainly Hanzo, he nonetheless finds himself intertwined with Bi Han and Kuai Liang.
Liu Kang and Raiden are nonetheless partnered and centered on the Mortal Kombat match, even when the roles are reversed.
Mileena continues to be coping with a monstrous Tarkatan model of herself, and Kitana should need to be the one to face her in the long run.
Shao, although a common, nonetheless appears to have aspirations for the Outworld throne, as his personal bio says has no qualms about defending Outworld at any value.
Onaga nonetheless looms as a large risk, regardless that we do not know the total nature of it but.
Kronika and Shang Tsung nonetheless conspire towards Liu Kang and his warriors, even when they want to take action from the shadows.
The common reset was seemingly carried out to stop these kinds of happenings, and but, primarily based on what’s been proven thus far, we’re unsure Liu Kang succeeded. If it seems he did not, maybe we’ll see historical past repeat itself yet another time, and it is going to be Liu Kang who turns into a vengeful, evil model of an Elder God, as his predecessor did earlier than him.
We’ll discover out for positive when Mortal Kombat 1 launches September 19 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. If you preordered any deluxe editions–physical or digital–you can bounce in 5 days early on September 14.
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