It finally came - after weeks of leaks and an indirect initial announcement months ago, the next instalment of the Mortal Kombat series has finally been revealed with a flashy trailer.
The twelfth Mortal Kombat is called Mortal Kombat 1, and is yet another timeline reset for the franchise, after it was already rebooted in 2011's Mortal Kombat. This time, it follows on from the end of the DLC campaign in MK11, where Liu Kang becomes a god and decides to start a new timeline. The trailer shows some klassic kharacters with fresh new designs, including Liu Kang of course, Kitana & Mileena, Scorp & Sub, and also the original Mortal Kombat's final boss Shang Tsung, looking like he did in MK11 based on the actor who played him in the nineties movie, Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa. Then it ends on a bombshell that put me off the game minutes after it was first announced.
It's good to see NetherRealm still got it when it comes to fatalities, and god knows the fiendish sorceror had it coming. But they've really got the nerve to tell us that this plot important character they showed off proudly in this very reveal trailer is locked behind a pre-order bonus? After he was DLC in the last game as well? That's straight fucking evil, even by Warner Bros. standards. Even Shao Kahn would tremble in fear at that level of villainy.
Also, one of the new gameplay additions is apparently called the Kameo system, and it lets players use NPC summons of characters outside the game's roster. Knowing WB Games it's bound to be a front for lootboxes or battle passes or whatever. You'd think after they delayed Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League due to fan backlash not just at those mechanics when they were revealed in that game, but also in Gotham Knights, Multiversus and MK11, they would've learned something about how unpopular they are among gamers. Either way, it sucks to be disappointed by one of my favorite game franchises, but it's hardly the first time. I'll just wait until they drop the Komplete Edition with all DLC characters, including possible guests Homelander and Peacemaker.
Mortal Kombat 1 is out September 19 on PS5, Xbox Series S/X, PC and Switch. Are you down? What do you expect out of it? Let us know below!
