Arduous to consider, however it’s been three weeks for the reason that Mortal Kombat 1 Gameplay Reveal Trailer stole the present on the Summer time Recreation Fest. The recently-ended Stress Check for Mortal Kombat 1 was a much-talked-about success.
Ed Boon has been making the Mortal Kombat 1 interview rounds, however as per Ed Boon’s typical, he has been cautious and cryptic about what he says. Whereas he is dropped loads of hints, it has been some time since we have gotten any concrete new information about Mortal Kombat 1.
Your wait shall be properly rewarded. The primary Kombat Kast will kick off subsequent Thursday, July sixth @ 10:00AM PT / 12:00PM CT. Be part of us for a dialogue on Kameos, full gameplay breakdowns of Scorpion & Johnny Cage, and extra. #MK1 pic.twitter.com/Dr8lw3TaOK
— Mortal Kombat 1 (@MortalKombat) June 30, 2023
Netherrealm not too long ago added character bios to the Mortal Kombat 1 web site, shedding a bit extra details about the backstory of the characters in Mortal Kombat 1. There have been some notable adjustments to some characters’ backstories, and will probably be attention-grabbing to see what else is totally different in Liu Kang’s New Period.Â
With the primary Mortal Kombat 1 Kombat Kast coming July 6, now’s the right time to go over each Primary roster and Kameo roster character revealed to date. We’ll preserve you up to date as Netherrealm introduces extra kombatants.
Primary Roster
Liu Kang
![Fire God Liu Kang is the Protector of Earthrealm in the New Era. What threats must he face?](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Liu-Kang-cropped-360x450.png)
Previously the Chosen One and now God of Hearth Protector of Earthrealm, Liu Kang used Kronika’s Hourglass to restart a greater historical past for everybody. Now, he stands vigilant as protector of Earthrealm whereas permitting these inside the realms to resolve their very own fates. Matthew Yang King is returning within the position.Â
Curiously sufficient, Liu Kang launched himself to a Kung Lao in Aftermath’s ending as God of Hearth and Thunder. Now, he solely refers to himself because the God of Hearth.Â
Gameplay-wise, you’ll be able to nonetheless see some electrical energy in Liu Kang’s strikes, however it appears like Liu Kang might have handed on most of his God of Thunder powers again to Raiden.
Sub-Zero
![Bi-Han is Sub-Zero once more and now Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Sub-Zero-cropped-360x450.png)
Bi-Han is again within the position of Sub-Zero, and it seems there is not any longer a necessity so as to add Elder earlier than Sub-Zero (Extra on this later). New Period Bi-Han is doing higher than his former self, as he’s now the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei.Â
Based mostly on his bio, a number of intros, and a few of his kombat dialogue, Bi-Han might have taken some pages from Sektor’s playbook. His father was beforehand the Grandmaster, however that mantle grew to become Bi-Han’s after his dying. Nonetheless, Bi-Han is giving off robust patricide vibes, matching Sektor’s personal homicide of his father to say management of the Lin Kuei.Â
It could be a New Period, however Bi-Han’s want for energy and tendency to lean into committing actions lower than honorable, this new Bi-Han nonetheless appears set on placing himself on the trail that results in the Lin Kuei’s heel flip and him turning into Noob Saibot. There’s nothing to recommend if the long-lasting Netherrealm model of Bi-Han will exist within the New Period (But), however I would not be shocked.Â
Scorpion
![Scorpion is now Lin Kuei and the brother of Bi-Han.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Scorpion-cropped-360x450.png)
One of the crucial stunning adjustments revealed about Mortal Kombat 1 to date was the revelation that Sub-Zero and Scorpion are brothers within the New Period. Initially, that led to confusion about whether or not Kuai Liang is now Scorpion or if it is nonetheless Hanzo, however he and Bi-Han are cool now.Â
The latter does not make sense, as Hanzo is Japanese, and Bi-Han and Kuai Liang are Chinese language and White. However given Scorpion’s bio, Kenshi’s mentioning of Kuai Liang in an intro with Liu Kang, and the truth that Sub-Zero and Scorpion look nearly equivalent, it is protected to imagine Kuai Liang is Scorpion.Â
That does invoke questions of what occurred to Hanzo Hasashi and the way fellow cryomancer Kuai Liang now boasts fireplace powers (In spite of everything, Hanzo’s hellfire powers stemmed from his time as a specter, and he stored them after his revival). However it appears Kuai Liang is conserving his extra heroic and honorable character which can put him into battle along with his brother, who’s all too keen to lean into gray ethical territory.
Kitana
![Kitana is still Princess of Outworld in the New Era, but her family now has a +1.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Kitana-cropped-360x450.png)
Unsurprisingly, Kitana is making a return within the New Period. Kari Wahlgren is portraying her but once more. Liu Kang’s position as Keeper of Time and immortal Protector of Earthrealm makes their romance appear far much less believable now.Â
Her relationship with Liu Kang is not the one totally different factor. Kitana’s household has grown by one within the New Period, Netherrealm confirming that Mileena within the New Period is Kitana’s real older twin sister. Kitana within the New Period is kind of what Jade was to her within the earlier period, serving as Mileena’s trusted bodyguard.Â
Mileena has a darkish secret on this timeline, and it might shake up the royal household and Mileena’s position as Empress. Kitana does what she will to guard her sister, however some issues might now not be in her arms.
Johnny Cage
![The iconic Johnny Cage is back and still a wisecracking goofball.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Johnny-Cage-cropped-360x450.png)
The sudden hero of the NRS reboot trilogy, Johnny Cage, is again. Andrew Bowen is returning as Johnny’s iconic voice actor.Â
Liu Kang’s New Period has modified a lot, together with when these acquainted kombatants have been born. Johnny Cage is now in his prime within the modern-day, slightly than a person in his mid-50s. We should always count on loads of social media references from the now-millennial Johnny Cage.Â
Of all of the characters revealed to date, Johnny appears to be the least unchanged (At the least from what we have seen to date). He is an motion film star whose star is fading. The approaching Earthrealm disaster could be simply what Johnny must reignite his profession.
Kenshi Takahashi
![Kenshi Takahashi seeks to redeem the Takahashi name in the New Era.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Kenshi-cropped-360x450.png)
3D-era favourite Kenshi Takahashi is returning, and his followers are little doubt excited, because it appears like Kenshi will lastly have a chapter in an NRS-era Mortal Kombat recreation.Â
Kenshi’s new backstory within the New Period appears attention-grabbing. Those that seen Kenshi’s closely tattooed arms within the Gameplayer Reveal trailer most likely already known as this, however Kenshi is now a member of the Yakuza. The Takahashi bloodline fell from grace centuries in the past. As soon as one in every of Japan’s most revered households, battle killed or scattered many of the Takahashi clan. The remnants joined the Bakuto, an early model of the modern-day Yakuza.Â
Halfway and NRS-era Kenshi each had points with the felony underworld, so seeing him now part of it’s a little bit of a shock. His bio suggests he shall be seeking to redeem himself and restore the glory of the Takahashi title however forging a distinct and higher path for himself. His first step shall be reclaiming his household’s sword, Sento.
Kenshi’s backstory is similar to that of the reboot trilogy period Kung Lao, who at all times heard tales of the legendary Nice Kung Lao and sought to revive the Lao title. Regardless, Kenshi is seeking to be a really attention-grabbing character.Â
Kung Lao
![Kung Lao is still looking for glory in the New Era. Will he find it?](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Kung-Lao-cropped-360x450.png)
Liu Kang’s finest good friend, Kung Lao. has modified vastly within the New Period. He is now not a Shaolin. As an alternative lives a easy life as a farmer within the village of Fengjian. That’s till Hearth God Liu Kang seeks Kung out as one in every of Earthrealm’s chosen champions.Â
Kung Lao is not utterly totally different. Sunil Malhotra is returning as Kung Lao, however Lao does not appear practically as cocky as his Mortal Kombat 11 counterpart. His bio signifies he is nonetheless on the lookout for glory and for his life to have much more that means than simply present.Â
Mileena
![Mileena is now officially the twin sister of Kitana, but she has a dark secret.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Mileena-cropped-360x450.png)
They lastly did it. After a few years of Mileena secretly (Or brazenly) eager to be household with Kitana, Netherrealm did it. Mileena is now the older twin sister of Kitana within the New Period. Kari Wahlgren is returning to the position.Â
The apparent query is how Mileena is the dual of Kitana since she has at all times been a half-Edenian, half-Tarkatan clone of Kitana. Properly, NRS is conserving the Tarkatan half round, solely they’ve modified it in order that Mileena now suffers from the Tarkat illness. The redheaded stepsister of vampirism and lycanthropy, the Tarkat illness presumably turns individuals into Tarkatans.Â
Mileena is now inheritor to the Outworld throne (One other win for Mileena followers), however her Tarkat illness dangers ruining her life and her probability to rule as Empress; that is if her implied impulsiveness does not try this first.Â
In previous Mortal Kombat video games, Mileena’s want to be a part of a household as an alternative of everybody viewing her as a monster was at all times the glimmer of sunshine within the in any other case principally villainous character. However you understand how the saying goes, we do not respect what we’ve got till we lose it. With Mileena now already having the household that earlier iterations of the character longed for, what’s New Period Mileena’s anchor that may preserve him from treading the identical darkish path she has earlier than?
Raiden
![The now mortal Raiden is Champion of Earthrealm instead of Liu Kang.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Raiden-cropped-360x450.png)
There shall be no consulting with the Elder Gods within the New Period.Â
At the least not now.Â
After many years because the Protector of Earthrealm and God of Thunder, Netherrealm has modified Raiden. After merging with Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat 11, Raiden’s time as a demigod is over. He has returned within the New Period as a mortal, fellow Fengjian resident, and shut good friend of Kung Lao.Â
Raiden as soon as once more has his thunder powers and can also be sporting his amulet from the earlier timeline. Unsurprisingly, Raiden has seemingly swapped roles with Liu Kang completely, with Raiden’s bio itemizing him as Champion of Earthrealm.Â
Funnily sufficient, Raiden’s bio sounds extra like Halfway-era Kung Lao than anybody else. Halfway Kung Lao was the preliminary White Lotus consultant in Mortal Kombat 1, however Kung Lao turned down the position as a result of he most popular dwelling a quiet lifetime of peace. Raiden’s Mortal Kombat 1 bio suggests he’s largely the identical. Regardless, Raiden will rise to the event and assist Earthrealm’s fellow champions defend it from threats.Â
One of many greatest adjustments to Raiden, and a saddening one, is that Richard Epcar is now not voicing the character. After over ten legendary years because the God of Thunder, the mantle has handed to a different within the New Period.Â
Shang Tsung
![Shang Tsung is back as a playable character. His role in the story remains to be seen.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Shang-Tsung-cropped-800x431.png)
It would not be Mortal Kombat 1 with out the primary huge unhealthy within the sequence.Â
Shang Tsung doesn’t have an official bio but, however the first Mortal Kombat 1 trailer ended with Shang Tsung murdering practically everybody besides Raiden earlier than Liu Kang brutally kills him. He shall be a pre-order bonus for Mortal Kombat 1.Â
Traditionally talking, pre-order characters aren’t the principle villains of Mortal Kombat video games (MKX’s Goro and MK 11’s Shao Khan), so it appears unlikely Shang Tsung would be the primary villain of Mortal Kombat 1. And that is okay, as him simply being right here as a fighter for followers to get pleasure from is nice sufficient.
Smoke
![Where there is smoke there is fire.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MK1-Smoke-450x450.jpg)
The place there may be smoke, there may be fireplace, and the place there may be Mortal Kombat 1, there may be Smoke.Â
Fan favourite Lin Kuei, Smoke is lastly again. Except you depend MKX’s Triborg, this would be the first time Smoke is playable in over a decade.Â
MK9 gave Smoke a human kind and a voice, however the character, sadly, had little story relevance earlier than Sindel killed him and left him a background revenant in MKX and fully absent in MK11.Â
Smoke has plenty of room for experimentation and new characterization. Within the Halfway period, he spent nearly all his time because the brainwashed Cyber/Noob Smoke and was barely round within the first NRS period. Hopefully, the New Period has a greater destiny for Smoke.Â
New Period Smoke was left an orphan after the Lin Kuei killed his household after they by chance stepped into Lin Kuei territory. Out of disgrace, the Grandmaster raised Smoke alongside his trueborn sons, Sub-Zero and Scorpion.Â
Rain
![Rain has returned and he's gotten a new Outworld promotion.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MK1-Rain-604x450.jpg)
The demigod son of Argus (Rain) makes his fourth consecutive look in NRS-era Mortal Kombat video games. The Lin Kuei trailer exhibits Rain coming to blows with the Lin Kuei and displaying off his trademark water magic.Â
What’s most attention-grabbing about Rain is his bio. It lists Rain as a scholar of Outworld’s Imperial College of Sorcery and makes no point out of his authentic Edenian halfgod heritage. Now Excessive Mage of Outworld, Rain is as much as his typical tips and cravings for extra energy.Â
Li Mei
![Li Mei is finally playable again and has a drastically different backstory.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MK1-Li-Mei-604x450.png)
A 3D-era fan-favorite is lastly again. After a short look in MKX as an NPC, Li Mei shall be playable once more for the primary time in 17 years.
Having debuted in Mortal Kombat: Lethal Alliance, Li Mei garnered fairly the next regardless of her relative irrelevance within the story. She infamously grew to become the primary fighter to die in Armageddon courtesy of Hotaru and wasn’t seen a lot since.Â
NRS has introduced her again and drastically altered her backstory. Initially an Outworld villager who rebelled towards evildoers like Kano and Shang Tsung, Li Mei performs a a lot higher position within the New Period. Li Mei was as soon as the chief of the Umgadi, a bunch of warrior priestesses who guard the Royal Household.
At some point, one thing went improper and resulted within the dying of Jerrod. Li Mei was apparently accountable. This resulted in Li Mei quitting the Umgadi and becoming a member of Outworld’s capital police power. However Li Mei hasn’t forgotten her Umgadi roots, and hopes to at some point redeem herself.Â
Tanya
![After decades of being a bit of a snake, Tanya is now one of the good ones. Or is she?](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MK1-Tanya.png)
After her well-received look in MKX and abscence in MK11, Tanya is again in Mortal Kombat 1’s New Period.Â
Like Li Mei, Tanya has obtained a drastic background alteration. She’s spent the final twenty years as a trecherous, self-interested foe who occassionally does issues in the perfect pursuits of Edenia and never simply herself. However principally, she’s solely been excited by herself.Â
Tanya, within the New Period, is a member of the Umgadi and have become chief of the group after Li Mei stop. When Li Mei resurfaces, tensions spark as Tanya feels Li Mei unworthy to name herself Umgadi anymore.
Fiercely devoted to her job basically and Mileena particularly, her continued bond with Mileena dangers costing Tanya every little thing if found.
Baraka
![Baraka is more fleshed out in the New Era and more of a tragic figure](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MK1-Baraka.png)
Baraka followers, rejoice. Everybody’s favourite Mortal Kombat jobber could be greater than that within the New Period; much more.
Having debuted 30 years in the past in Mortal Kombat 2, Baraka is a basic character and staple of the franchise. Sadly for the Tarkatan warrior, he is spent most of that point as an Outworld thug with little characterization apart from being loyal to Shao Khan.
Mortal Kombat 11 gave the Tarkatans somewhat bit of affection, with Kitana forging an alliance with Baraka and his individuals and making him a associate slightly than a minion. It might nonetheless be arduous to name Baraka a fleshed-out character. If his Mortal Kombat 1 bio is any indication, Baraka may need an precise story to inform this time round.
NRS has made important adjustments to the Mortal Kombat franchise in Mortal Kombat 1. One of many greatest adjustments is altering Tarkatans from being a race to individuals inflicted with the Tarkat illness. Visually and bodily, these with Tarkat illness look the identical as Tarkatans from the earlier Period. However what’s totally different is these inflicted with Tarkat, apparently, will inevitably lose their minds. They will not simply seem like monsters; they may develop into monsters.
Baraka was as soon as an Outworld service provider earlier than catching Tarkat. Compelled to go away the capital metropolis and dwell in a colony with the opposite , Baraka entered a colony barely conserving itself collectively. Now fueled by a want to make the lives of his individuals higher, Baraka has develop into a pacesetter to these with the Tarkat illness. These are his individuals now, and he’ll battle for them.
Kameo Roster
The Kameo Roster is separate from the Primary Roster. Gamers choose a Kameo fighter after deciding on their primary fighter.Â
Netherrealm has revealed a number of particulars in regards to the Kameo system already, together with the truth that some Primary Roster characters (Like Sub-Zero and Scorpion) double as Kameo characters and that some Kameo characters shall be Story Mode solely. What appears to be a recurring theme with Kameo characters to date is that they pay homage to previous eras of Mortal Kombat.Â
All Kameo-only characters we have seen are sporting their 90s-era outfits, which is a deal with for long-time followers.
Darius
![NRS has shockingly brought back Darrius, one of the 3D Era's blandest characters, back as a Kameo.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MK1-Darrius-800x450.jpg)
Frost
![The Ice Karen of Mortal Kombat is returning as a Kameo character.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Kameo-Frost-800x450.png)
Sektor
![The villainous Sektor is returning as a Kameo character in his cyborg form.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Kameo-Sektor-800x450.png)
Cyrax
![Fan-favorite Cyborg Cyrax is a Kameo character in Mortal Kombat 1.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MK1-Kameo-Cyrax-800x450.png)
Kano
![Everyone's favorite MK Aussie villain is back and a Kameo fighter.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kameo-Kano-Blast-cropped-800x450.png)
Jax
Sonya Blade
Stryker
![Police brutality is coming up!](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kameo-Stryker-cropped-800x447.png)
Goro
![The Prince of the Shokan lives in the New Era.](https://estnn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Kameo-Goro-cropped-800x450.png)
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