As if Mortal Kombat 1 couldn’t get any more bloody and gory, NetherRealm Studios goes ahead and pulls strings to bring a handful of characters to Mortal Kombat 1 from other universes who aren’t afraid to exact their own brand of justice by their own means, regardless of how lethal they are.
Confirming the earlier leaks, NetherRealm Studios stayed true to its initial promise by dropping by at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con to reveal a mix of returning veterans and guest characters, ready to prove their worth in the famed fighting arena.
In a move set to delight long-standing fans, Mortal Kombat veterans Quan Chi, Ermac, and Takeda are confirmed as part of the first Kombat Pack DLC. But, that’s not all. The real highlight is the incoming trio of guest characters. as part of the first Kombat Pack DLC. Homelander from The Boys, Peacemaker from the DC Universe, and Omni-Man from Invincible will add some comic book and superhero flair to the brutal fighting series. They join the illustrious list of previously-featured guests, including John Rambo, RoboCop, the Terminator T-800, Spawn, and The Joker, Kratos, Alien’s Xenomorph, and Jason Voorhees.
Of course, it isn’t just about the veterans. They’re merely supplementary to the expanding Mortal Kombat 1 roster, which is introducing a fresh twist to the age-old stories of familiar faces.
Tanya and Li Mei, the Umgadi protectors of Outworld’s new princess, Mileena, make a comeback, and fans will rejoice at the sight of the fierce Tarkatan warrior, Baraka. Fans are eager to get their hands on these characters, especially as the trailers teased some intriguing story beats involving them.
At the moment, here’s the list of the confirmed playable main roster characters in Mortal Kombat 1:
- Liu Kang
- Johnny Cage
- Mileena
- Kitana
- Li Mei
- Baraka
- Tanya
- Kenshi
- Raiden
- Kung Lao
- Sub-Zero
- Scorpion
Going back to the newly-confirmed guest characters, the inclusion of these three new faces from the realm of television is a marked shift in NetherRealm Studios’ DLC strategy. The studio has chosen to spotlight characters straight from the popular shows that are known for their ultra-violent, subversive takes on the superhero genre, hinting at a move away from their tradition of featuring 80’s and 90’s era heroes.
In an effort to maintain authenticity, the appearances of Homelander and Peacemaker in Mortal Kombat 1 are based on the portrayal of Antony Starr and John Cena, respectively, in their respective series. The violent nature of these characters suggests a seamless transition to Mortal Kombat 1.
This strategic choice of characters introduces exciting anticipation regarding their respective abilities and potential special moves in the game. The fascinating combination of supernatural, superhuman, and gritty, realistic fighters promises a diverse and thrilling gameplay experience.
Warner Bros. teases that Mortal Kombat 1 will present a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe, created by the Fire God Liu Kang. This revamped universe will feature iconic characters reimagined as they’ve never been seen before. Pre-orders for Mortal Kombat 1 include Shang Tsung as a playable character, while PS5 and Xbox Series X/S pre-orders offer access to a Mortal Kombat 1 beta in August.
The steady character reveal has sent the rumor mill into overdrive, leaving fans speculating who else might join the roster. Given the series’ history of unexpected guest stars, the potential for surprise additions to the roster is wide open.
MK1’s Kombat Pack will be included with the premium and collector’s edition versions of the game, which will be launching this September. The game will be released on multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
So, whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, prepare for a gaming experience that combines nostalgia, novelty, and a hefty dose of adrenaline.
It’s a thrilling time for fans, as they wait to see which character will be the next to step into the arena.
