Mortal Kombat 1 Review: 7 Ups & 3 Downs
1. The Kombatants Have Been Reinvented Flawlessly
Mortal Kombat 9 was the first reboot in the series, retelling the story of the first three games. Though certain details were developed or modified, it was the same narrative in essence.
However, MK1 isn't merely a reset, but a reinvention. Since the narrative is set in a brand new timeline, every kombatant has been reworked in appearance, origin, intention, and lineage. Some villains have become heroes, and vice versa.
The tyrannical Shao Kahn has been revised into the frustrated General Shao. The scheming sorcerer, Shang Tsung, has been reworked into a pathetic huckster who pines for more. Sub-Zero and Scorpion are now brothers. Basically, nobody is the same as before. (Except Johnny Cage. He's perfect the way he is.)
Not only does the subversive storytelling keep things fresh and unpredictable, everyone is well and truly fleshed out. (Even the waitress, Madam Bo.) Never has fighters like Baraka or Reptile been depicted in such a sympathetic light. Bonafide villains like Sub-Zero are surprisingly relatable, because more time is given to understand character motivation.
By implementing obscure figures like Li Mei and Ashrah into the central plot, fans will find themselves caring about people they never gave a second thought to.
But it's not just the kombatants who have changed, but the talents behind them. Being a reboot, the developers thought it was best to recast many key players. Even though it was sad to say goodbye to some truly talented performers, the newcomers slip into these iconic roles with flying colours (except Megan Fox as Nitara, who is beyond terrible).
Mortal Kombat may be infamous for its gore, but it's reassuring to see the creative team put the story, character arcs, and the relationships above all else.