During the somewhat subdued SGF showcase, one of the most noteworthy highlights was the release of gameplay footage from Mortal Kombat 1. Serving as the twelfth installment in the mainline series, the game takes a fresh start, effectively rebooting the entire universe. Liu Kang, formerly a mortal, has ascended to the status of a formidable fire deity, reshaping the realm.
This new iteration brings back beloved characters such as Sub Zero and Scorpion, but with a twist—they are now depicted as siblings. The development team has taken the opportunity to revamp the storyline and reinvent the characters for this 2023 reboot. In addition to this fresh world and altered character dynamics, MK1 introduces an exciting new gameplay feature called “Kameos.” Once you select your character, you can choose a guest fighter to support you in battle. Activated by a single button (R1 on PlayStation), these allies can unleash a variety of unique moves when combined with specific back and forward inputs. Kameos also include throws and fatalities, offering greater versatility and flexibility in fights. For example, if you want to counter an opponent’s jumping attacks, you can summon Jax to perform a powerful suplex. Need to deal with a projectile-heavy character? Bring in Sonya to assist you.
We had the opportunity to play with four different characters, experimenting with various combinations and attempting to unlock as many Kameo fatalities as possible. Engadget’s Brandon Quintana, a dedicated Mortal Kombat fan, lauds the game for delivering exactly what he had hoped for, while expertly defeating opponents. Mortal Kombat 1 is set to launch on September 19th, 2023, for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
