Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat 1 marks a bloody return to form for the classic fighting game franchise. This reboot brings back the controversial gore and violence that defined the series’ early years. Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero and other iconic characters are back with upgraded visuals, though the gameplay doesn’t quite live up to modern titles in the market.

The Story mode follows Liu Kang as he enters the Mortal Kombat tournament in a desperate bid to save Earthrealm from invasion by Outworld forces. It hits all the classic narrative beats, though won’t win any awards for writing. There’s some fun references to the older games that long-time fans will appreciate. Graphically, the game is a big step up from previous entries, with detailed character models and lavishly rendered backgrounds. The gore is cranked up to 11 - fatalities are more brutal than ever, for those who enjoy that kind of thing.

Satisfying Combat and Gory Finishers Let Down By Simplistic Controls

Despite the visual upgrades, Mortal Kombat 1’s gameplay feels dated. The combat itself is as viscerally satisfying as ever, especially the grisly finishing moves. However, the basic controls and movesets lack the depth of something like Street Fighter 6 or Tekken 7. Button mashing can get you fairly far against the average opponent or AI. Combos feel simplistic, with not much variety beyond stringing together the same 2-3 hit combos. It’s fun in short bursts but could use more complexity for serious fighting game fans. The starting roster also feels small at just 10 characters.

Stunning Visuals Undermined By Stiff Animation

Without a doubt, the graphics are the highlight of Mortal Kombat 1. Fighters look better than ever with intricate details on their costumes and lifelike facial textures. Stages are similarly gorgeous, with opulent backdrops like Shang Tsung’s Courtyard. The game runs smoothly at 4K 60fps on PS5 and Xbox Series X. My only knock is that the character animations themselves feel a bit stiff and unnatural. Modern games like Street Fighter 6 have really nailed making hits and reactions look seamless and fluid. In MK1, it’s slightly jarring when a punch doesn’t quite connect correctly. But overall, still a huge graphical jump from Mortal Kombat X.

Audio Design: Classic Tunes Meet Unspectacular Voice Work

The original synthetic-sounding Mortal Kombat tunes are back and sure to satisfy fans. The over-the-top punch and squish sound effects add visceral impact to the violence. However, the voice acting is uneven. Liu Kang and Scorpion’s actors do a great job, but others like Raiden and Sonya sound flat. More variety in the music would’ve been nice too - after a few hours the songs start to blend together. But it gets the job done for a fighting game.

Review: 7/10

Mortal Kombat 1 is a fun nostalgia trip that will please long-time kombatants, even if the gameplay doesn’t quite live up to modern standards. The graphics, gore, and attention to detail show respect for the franchise's roots.

Pros:

• Visuals are a huge step up
• Satisfying, gory combat
• Classic Mortal Kombat soundtrack

Cons:

• Controls and movesets feel simplistic
• Uneven voice acting
• Character animations could be smoother

Mortal Kombat is a franchise that needs no introduction. A true cornerstone of gaming culture, the gore and guts of this legendary fighting franchise illustrate how much things have changed for the industry since it first came to the arcades. It also introduces one of the most confusing titles for the series: Mortal Kombat 1.

The game follows the new timeline introduced in Mortal Kombat 11. For those keeping the score, this is the second time the franchise has rebooted its timeline. Now, the altered reality allows NetherRealm Studios to present us with younger and different versions of beloved characters.

Oh, and the Fatalities are as savagely violent as ever.

New Faces, New Kombat

Not only is Mortal Kombat 1 a great starting point for newcomers to the series lore-wise: NetherRealm has streamlined combat to make it more accessible for players looking to get into the bloody Mortal Kombat action right away. There are now fewer meters than there were in Mortal Kombat 11, focusing more on the traditional Kombat style that veterans of Mortal Kombat Trilogy might remember.

The Kameo system returns in Mortal Kombat 1. Like Tekken Tag Tournament, battles are between two two-fighter teams. Your tag companion can also jump in to help you during combats, unleashing devastating combos that can pulverize the opponent in no time.

Besides the usual VS modes and online play, the game also features a feature-length campaign mode detailing the aftermath of Mortal Kombat 11 and presenting the new canon continuity for the series.

Real Blood

Mortal Kombat 1's impressive visuals keep the NetherRealm's tradition of delivering industry-leading facial animations and character models. The lifelike characters elevate the storytelling potential of Mortal Kombat 1 to astronomical levels, delivering a story that genuinely engrosses you, making you forget for a second that you're playing a game where dudes can easily crush heads using only their fingers.

The improved visuals also lead to improved Fatalities. Mortal Kombat's signature finishers return nastier than ever. Each fighter has two unique fatalities, including DLC characters like Homelander. On that note…

Roster of Legends

Since at least Mortal Kombat 9, the series has introduced guest characters from some of the most popular horror franchises and comic books. Mortal Kombat 1 continues that tradition with some long-awaited fighters that will test their might against the likes of Sub-Zero and Scorpion.

Homelander, Omni-Man, Peacemaker, and even the T-1000 are some of the iconic characters that now join the Kombat. They all come with unique Fatalities, too, each of them adequately violent and paying homage to their characters. So yes: Omni-Man can crush Homelander using a subway train just as he does in Invincible.

That said, the abundance of DLC fighters and the streamlined combat might sound like negatives to long-time Kombat enthusiasts. Mortal Kombat has changed, that's true. However, Mortal Kombat 1 is a step in the right direction, and it might reignite the love for the franchise after the divisive Mortal Kombat 11.

Pros

• Great character roster
• Outstanding campaign mode
• Gameplay feels as responsive and satisfying as ever

Cons

• Some of the new designs for classic characters could be divisive
• Tons of DLC
• Streamlined combat feels a bit more barebones than in previous entries