NetherRealm Studios offered eager Mortal Kombat fans a gory glimpse into the future of the famed franchise at this year's Summer Game Fest.
The series' next mainline installment, confusingly dubbed Mortal Kombat 1, harks back to the series' origins, rebooting the roster and infusing the game with a shot of nostalgia. This isn't just a case of turning back time, however; Mortal Kombat 1 is redefining the franchise's gameplay mechanics while staying faithful to its infamous roots.
With the eminent Mortal Kombat co-creator, Ed Boon, present to guide us through the reveal, we were introduced to the 12th mainline installment in the franchise. Its robust line-up of classic fighters such as Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Raiden, Kitana, Mileena, Johnny Cage, and Kenshi reaffirmed its homage to the franchise's early days.
In a surprising twist, this back-to-basics approach brings us to Johnny Cage's Hollywood home, grounding the narrative in the late '80s/early '90s, effectively revamping the overly convoluted story and cast of characters.
Among the showcased fatalities, decapitations, crushed skulls, broken bones, and those characteristically wet sounds that long-standing fans anticipate, the reveal highlighted an intriguing feature: Kameo Fighters. This innovative addition offers a roster of assist characters that can be called upon mid-match with a single button press. Kameo Fighters comprise a list of familiar figures in their earliest attires: Sonya Blade, Jax, Kano, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Goro, Kung Lao, Stryker, and even classic versions of characters from the main roster. While the full extent of the Mortal Kombat 1 roster remains unknown, it seems we can anticipate at least 16 Kameo Fighters.
