“Mortal Kombat’s genre-defining story mode kontinues. Reflecting Fire God Liu Kang’s vision of perfection, Mortal Kombat 1’s brand new universe is familiar, yet radically altered. And potentially, more dangerous than ever. Discover the forces set to undermine Liu Kang’s New Era“

Mortal Kombat 1 is a fresh start for the series. A new timeline was forged from the story we followed in the aftermath Mortal Kombat (2011) through MKX and MK11. Liu Kang became Keeper of Time and created all the realms where they could be in peace and the beings within would carve their own destinies.

Coming off the previous games, I found myself excited to get away from the timeline crossovers and start fresh. The first 3/4 of the MK1 storyline is fantastic. You see new designs and takes on characters – like Scorpion now being Sub Zero’s brother Kuai Liang. Liu Kang hides his role as Keeper of Time while being protector of Earthrealm, and designates the new Raiden as Earthrealm’s champion. I won’t spoil where the story loses me, but it does too much in the last part that strays away from the new timeline I really enjoyed seeing.

The roster this time around is solid. I haven’t tried too many characters yet, mostly playing the ninjas and Liu Kang, but my experience with others in story mode left a good impression (except Ashrah). There is also the introduction of Kameo fighters this time around. Kameo fighters are essentially characters in their classic designs from the original MK games that you can call in for assists during fights. They also have their own brutalites and fatalities like the playable characters. This goes into my next positive takeaway from MK1: the game offers variety in not only characters, but also stages. MKX and MK11 stages were very boring and lacked personality (although the DLC stages for both were fun). The stages this time around are great to play on, while also providing those dark / evil stages we crave from the older games.

The gameplay is a bit faster than MK11, and you can perform aerial combos as well. They feel so satisfying to nail. Each character in the game has a set of levels you gain XP for by playing matches online or in the new Invasions mode. Mastering a new level has you unlock gear, brutalities, or taunts for your character. This applies to Kameos too. While it’s still a bit grindy, it 1000% beats the towers from MK11 that were so long the game offered to have an AI play for you. Ridiculous.

There is no Krypt around this time. Instead you spend you coins at a “Shrine” that unlock additional gear pieces or concept art. Invasions mode is a linear version of Konquest mode from Mortal Kombat Deception. You move your character along paths in worlds to fight different oppenents with modifiers or to test your might. I’ve only beat one world so far, and it’s not particularly exciting. However, it is similar to Weapon Master mode from Soul Calibur II and I loved that mode, so I can’t complain.

MK1 is a strong entry in the series and like the past 3 MK games, the DLC will make it even better. If you haven’t picked MK1 up yet, I recommend it.