Mortal Kombat 1 crams a multiverse of pain into one game

Mortal Kombat 1 is the Super Smash Bros. of Mortal Kombat games and the Mario Kart: Double dash of fighting games.

It may seem odd to compare the latest entry to the fighting game series known for lewd levels of gore and violence to squeaky clean Nintendo games, but hear me out. Mortal Kombat 1 – not to be confused with the original Mortal Kombat released in 1992 – includes a gory regurgitation of all things Mortal Kombat. The game brings back classic characters and stuffs the game full of references to other Mortal Kombat games. It is, like Super Smash Bros., a game that unites the universe, but there is a twist.

This time around, developer NetherRealm Studios will expand the game’s overall selection by using what the developers call a Kameo system. This new style of combat allows players to choose a primary fighter and a secondary Kameo fighter, a character that can be called in for the special tag-team attacks, combo breakers, and assists. (So ​​the Mario Kart: Double dash comparison.) Polygon experienced the new system in action as part of a hands-on preview hosted last week by publisher Warner Bros. at Summer Game Fest. While the Kameo system allows developers to bring in more characters, satisfying fans longing for the return of forgotten MK fighters, what stood out during the preview was the absolutely stunning visuals and animations implemented in the new game.

Mortal Kombat 1 even starts up beautifully; the game’s home screen shows a serene forest and lake landscape with two stone dragons in the center. It’s a peaceful scene, but it’s short-lived. From there I can choose between local multiplayer versus or the Kampaign mode and go straight to the character selection screen. Preview players had the option to choose between four primary fighters – Kenshi, Sub-Zero, Kitana and Liu Kang – and three Kameo fighters: Jax, Kano and Sonya. (At launch, the game comes with a base roster of 24 fighters and at least 16 Kameo fighters).

Once my opponent (one of the developers) and I picked our characters, the camera zoomed in close and showed the two primary fighters pushing against each other arm to arm as we selected a stage. We decided to fight in a teahouse, and the game transitioned seamlessly into a cutscene where our two characters talk to each other and challenge each other to the fight, similar to the pre-fight interactions of Mortal Kombat 11. This fight was between Liu Kang and Sub-Zero, so Kang said, “Your actions cost lives, Bi-Han!” who replies, “They were for the sake of the Lin Kuei.”

The Kameo characters were on another level of complexity in the thick of the action. For example, if you launch a character into the air as Sub-Zero and you haven’t jumped yet, you can turn on Sonya with a special move that quickly hits her into the air and leaves Sub-Zero available for another follow-up. upwards. Kameo characters essentially expand the base fighter’s combo potential. Each Kameo fighter’s movements are limited and they behave the same regardless of which primary fighter you choose. Unlike the primary roster, Kameo characters are oddly quiet given how much we hear from the main characters in combat and between scenes.

Image: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Games

If you’re not used to playing Mortal Kombat or other gory games, be prepared to wince more than a few times. The game has its traditional over-the-top gory style and looks all the more overwhelming Mortal Kombat 1, with its hyper-realistic art style. When released, Kitana can mix her opponent’s flesh with her steel fans, and Liu Kang can hold an enemy between two fiery dragons and then split their bodies by pushing their heads through and splitting them in half. If you want something a little more toned down, the game also has classic Fatalities that Kameo fighters can run that are a little tamer. Kano’s classic heartbreak is included, as is Sonya’s burning kiss of death.

To play Mortal Kombat 1, as someone who is gore averse is like juggling constant back and forth thoughts poking into the blood and guts, but being absolutely in awe of the mastery of animation and the level of polish evident in this game. Take Sonya for example. You can see her slightly shiny spandex bending and bending with her WWE-esque move set, reflecting the light of every move. She’s not a primary fighter, but we can still see details like the dirt caught in the wrinkles of her worn, off-brand Reebok sneakers.

Image: NetherRealm Studios/Warner Bros. Games

Plus, the game sometimes seems to bring a healthy sense of humor that makes the gore just a little more bearable. In the daytime version of the Fengjian Teahouse stage, you can play in a rambunctious bar, and as you fight, people in the background will have frightened reactions – except for one man who has straight vibes and fist pumps in response to the grotesque violence happening right in front of his face . And some Fatalities, like Jax’s, where he inexplicably becomes a giant and stomps his opponent with a huge boot in a return to Mortal Kombat 3inject some humor and (slightly) less gore.

If you can bear it, Mortal Kombat 1 coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X on September 19.