Mortal Kombat 1 is fast approaching, and with it a huge amount of news that may be difficult to keep up with. For those unaware, the upcoming fighting game is completely resetting the timeline and established lore, meaning we’ll be getting changes to characters origins and motivations, as well as long dead or forgotten characters returning.
It can be difficult to figure out who is out, and who is in, especially with the two rosters of main playable kombatants, as well as the unplayable Kameo fighters, but don’t worry, that’s what we’re for.
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Mortal Kombat 1 Kombatants
Mortal Kombat 1 Kombatants are the characters that comprise of the playable roster. Featured and to be used in the story, towers and of course the multiplayer modes, these characters will differ slightly to the Kameo Fighters that follow. With the changes to the timeline comes changes to characters we’ve long followed and grown to love.
Liu Kang – After the ending of Mortal Kombat 11’s Aftermath DLC, Liu Kang has reset the timeline and taken on the role of Earth Protector from Raiden. Creating a new era with the idea of peace, as the trailers so far have shown, a mysterious and unknown character threatens the new status quo. His new Fire God Liu Kang title promises a different set of moves and capabilities, so it’ll be interesting to see how ‘different’ he plays as.
Sub-Zero – Perhaps one of the three most famous characters from the franchise, along with Scorpion and Liu Kang, Sub-Zero is one of the most prominently featured Mortal Kombat 1 Kombatants in the released promotional material thus far. In this new timeline Sub-Zero finds himself the new Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, it seems that this version of Sub-Zero is the original version, Bi-Han, who goes on to be come Noob Saibot. This explains his ambitions for the Lin Kuei and his more aggressive and violent outlook.
Scorpion – No longer an undead wraith, Scorpion is now the brother of Sub-Zero. This huge change may not necessarily be well-received, due to the original duo having quite a fractured relationship, from ally to enemy and back again. How this dynamic features in Mortal Kombat 1 is unknown, but it’d be surprising if NetherRealm do away with it completely.
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Smoke – Part of the Lin Kuei alongside Sub-Zero and Scorpion, Smoke is as loyal as he could be to the pair and the clan. He’s present here as his human form rather than that of his future cyborg self, and his recent reveal at the Kombat Kast highlighted rapid striking, teleportation and more. He looks to be quite the handful. Whether the story will end with him becoming his cyborg form is unknown currently, but as it stands he looks to have an important role to play.
Kung Lao – This is not the same Kung Lao as we’d come to be familiar with. As the Aftermath DLC ending cinematic shows, this appears to be the ‘Great Kung Lao’, who was an ancestor around decades before the one we know.
Johnny Cage – No longer a member of the Special Forces a we saw in Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11, Cage is returning to his fan-favourite origins of being a Hollywood star. During his gameplay reveal it appears the customary arrogance and in-your-face nature of the character is still there to be seen though, but the update to a more modern, 21st century version can only be a good thing.
Raiden – One of the biggest updates/changes to a character, Raiden is no longer the God of Thunder, and instead a farmer with much less responsibility or grandiose aspirations to be Earth’s Protector. Whether the switching of roles for Liu Kang indicates the same for Raiden is another matter, but it’d be an interesting take for sure.
Kenshi – Known by many as the blind samurai, Kenshi surprisingly is now no longer blind, at least not yet. A lack of a blindfold and vision issues aside, Kenshi is now a member of the Yakuza, or a family associated with them, at least. We’re all for a reimagining of long-established characters, but this may be one of the more contentious ones among fans.
Kitana – The timeline has made significant changes to those in the Outworld as well as on Earth. Kitana is no longer a princess being trained for more, but rather as Mileena’s ally and servant. At least this showcases a better relationship between the two?
Mileena – As already mentioned, the older sister is due to become the Empress of Outworld. Hinted at by character bio’s recently released, that title is currently occupied by Sindel, so it’ll be interesting to see the dynamics at play here. She’s also no longer a clone of Kitana, but a twin, just without the ‘Tarkat disease’ Kitana has.
Rain – This is the first time since Mortal Kombat: Armageddon that we’ve had Rain as part of the main roster of Kombatants! Edenian royalty as he was in the original timeline, Rain hasn’t changed as much as many on the roster, but his moveset looks to be a little different, including water based teleportation and a wizard-like look about him.
Shang Tsung – Last seen crumbling to ash at the hands of Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat 11’s Aftermath DLC, it was thought that Shang Tsung was erased from existence and the timeline thanks to Liu Kang. Apparently that doesn’t seem to be the case, with the character showing himself in the announcement trailer, but his actual involvement with the story of the upcoming game is unlikely, with the character being a pre-order bonus for Mortal Kombat 1.
That is the Mortal Kombat 1 Kombatants so far. There are certainly more characters to be unveiled as we edge closer to release, and a certain leak from a Mortal Kombat leaker seems to be bang on the money so far, but we’ll have to wait and see who else is in store for us.
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Kameo Fighters in Mortal Kombat 1
If you’re unaware, Mortal Kombat 1 is featuring a new ‘Kameo’ gameplay mechanic. Separate to the main roster of Kombatants, these Kameo Fighters are only available to use as a combo-breaker/extender of sorts. A tag-assist if you will. With the Kameo fighters looking strikingly similar to their original appearance, Mortal Kombat 1 looks to marry the old and new.
Sonya Blade – Sonya Blade is a regularly featured character in the roster of Mortal Kombat, so it is surprising to see her ‘relegated’ to a Kameo Fighter, at least for now.
Jax Briggs – Many attribute two hulking metal arms to the character of Jax, but it turns out this Kameo version will feature his natural, original arms. We’re sure he’ll still pack one hell of a punch though.
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Kano – Long-time antagonist of Sonya and Jax, Kano returns to his roots with a bald head, no facial hair and a classic/old-style laser eye.
Goro – Infamously gigantic in nature, towering above most of the other fighters, this version of Goro still sports his traditional amount of arms, but he’s been shrunk to a more realistic stature.
Kung Lao – Not to be confused with the Great Kung Lao mentioned above, this is the version of the character we’ve long associated with the name, and the one we’re most familiar with. His moveset was shown off during the recent Kombat Kast, and it was nice to see his bladed hat return and be used in quite the graphic and bloody assist.
Frost – No longer the cyborg version from the previous game, Sub-Zero’s former apprentice returns as her human form which is arguably more menacing, and definitely cooler to look at.
Cyrax – No human form for Cyrax, as he’s returning with a look far closer to his original attire. Seen in the recent trailer forcing a bomb/grenade down a throat, his Kameo will use saw blades and those very same bombs to interrupt combos and extend our own.
Sektor – Sektor returns and fans celebrate. The long-time-loved cyborg is back with his counterpart Cyrax, and similar to his compatriot, his Kameo is full of explosives and teleportation uppercuts.
Stryker – Making his debut in Mortal Kombat 3, like the other Kameo’s here, Stryker’s updated look certainly pays homage to his original appearance, whilst modernising it.
Sub-Zero – A classic look with his blue ninja outfit paired with an equally classic spine fatality.
Scorpion – As you’d expect, Scorpion follows Sub-Zero and sports his classic yellow ninja outfit, as well as using his ‘Toasty!’ fatality.
With the inclusion of all of these Mortal Kombat 1 Kombatants and Kameo Fighters, this roster is looking like it’ll be one of the best and most diverse yet. The resetting of the timeline is being put to good use by NetherRealm, with new relationships, origins, movesets and costumes. The creative licence and changes on offer are exciting, but lets hope that NetherRealm don’t change too much and we’re left with something we don’t recognise.
Are you happy with the Mortal Kombat 1 Kombatants and Kameo Fighters? Who do you want included? Let us know in the comments!
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