As of the writing of this article, NetherRealm Studios has announced nine character for the Mortal Kombat 1 roster which include: Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Raiden, Kitana, Johnny Cage, Mileena, Kenshi and Takahashi. These are just a few of the fan favorite characters expected to appear in the developer’s next title, along with a few other that have been leaked (see Related below).
There have already been rumors more will be announced in the coming months, including Rain and Reptile. Mortal Kombat 1 will also be a complete reset for the franchise and will feature a reimagining for two iconic characters in the series: Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Along with these playable characters, some of the other listed fighters will see storylines changed in a variety of ways.
One of the biggest changes coming to Scorpion and Sub-Zero is the fact that they are siblings in this new universe, which was hinted by their identical medallions in the game’s cinematic trailer. In the previous games, the two challengers were unrelated, members of different clans, and were rivals. The following is Sub-Zero’s bio from the Mortal Kombat 1 website:
“As the Lin Kuei’s Grandmaster, Sub-Zero leads his ancient warrior clan in the defense of Earthrealm from external threats. For centuries, it has been their solemn task. But Earthrealm hasn’t been threatened in generations, and Sub-Zero sees no point in limiting his clan to preparing for dangers that may never come. Under his leadership, the Lin Kuei will come out of the shadows and fight for its place as one of Earthrealm’s great nations.”
In comparison, the bio for Scorpion reads as follows:
“Like his cherished father, Scorpion is dedicated to the Lin Kuel and its defense of Earthrealm. When his father died, Scorpion was bereft. Though he took pride in knowing that his brother, Sub-Zero, would succeed their father as the Lin Kuei’s Grandmaster. But Sub-Zero’s unprecedented moves to cast off the Lin Kuei’s traditional duties have frozen Scorpion’s enthusiasm. He fears that he may one day have to battle his brother for control of the Lin Kuei’s legacy.”
How the Bios for the Mortal Kombat 1 Characters Paint a Picture For the Rest of the Story
The fact Scorpion and Sub-Zero are now going to be siblings, is a whole new way for audiences to understand the dynamic of their rivalry. The two characters have been so closely related for many years and this could be considered a logical next step for a reboot title. Although the bio says Scorpion “took pride in knowing that his brother, Sub-Zero, would succeed their father as the Lin Kuei’s Grandmaster” the rest of the bio casts doubt on their longterm allegiance. It may be no matter what universe in which they exist, Scorpion and Sub-Zero are destined to be mortal enemies.
The other bios indicate a few of the characters will have similar stories to their past iterations. Johnny Cage is still a celebrity losing his edge and joins up with Liu Kang in an attempt to hold on to his fame. Mileena and Kitana, who have been rivals in the past, are still connected, but now as twin sisters, though this may take a similar outcome as Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Kenshi’s bio is different in that his family is stuck under the control of a crime organization called the bakuto and he is determined to free them. The NetherRealm Studios developers have certainly tried to change things up with its’ iconic characters, so the experience is still fresh and exciting for fans of the Mortal Kombat games.
Mortal Kombat 1 arrives on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on September 19, 2023. It will be the 12th installment into the franchise and the first time the series has done a complete reset.
Are excited for this total reset of the classic Mortal Kombat series with brand new character backstories? Or should NetherRealm have tried to hold on to the continuity of the past games? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts on Mortal Kombat 1.
Source: PlaystationLifestyle and Mortal Kombat
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