Mortal Kombat 1 has been announced and with it, the confirmation that a handful of classic fighters will return.

After months of anticipation, NetherRealm has finally officially announced the next instalment in the long-running fighting game franchise. As recent rumours have suggested, the game is called Mortal Kombat 1. Technically both a reboot and a sequel to the franchise. It appears to follow the “good” ending of the Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath DLC, where fire god Liu Kang ends Shang Tsung’s time-altering pranks and creates a brand new timeline of his own design.

Judging by the Mortal Kombat 1 announcement trailer, it looks like Liu Kang’s new timeline will take fans all the way back to before the events of the very first Mortal Kombat game, where characters like Kung Lao are tending a farm and Scorpion and Sub-Zero have yet to become mortal enemies.

There are currently nine confirmed fighters in Mortal Kombat 1. Most of them can be spotted in the game’s announcement trailer. The long-awaited trailer opens with an unidentified man opening his eyes as Liu Kang’s voice explains that this is another world of his own creation, full of “warmth and peace”. This man is going out and encounters another man toiling in a wheat field. The farmer raises his head and puts a hat on his head, which is highly reminiscent of the classic Mortal Kombat fighter, Kung Lao. Meanwhile, Liu Kang’s voice tells his subjects that they can choose whether to live in peace or in “bloody combat”. The camera pans to the mysterious figure seen at the beginning of the trailer, now wearing a hat similar to Raiden’s, with the lightning bolt behind him seemingly confirming his identity.

The trailer then cuts to a royal carriage driving through the streets, with a blue-masked woman, presumably Princess Kitana, peering out from the carriage’s curtains. Across from her sits a woman in a pink dress, clutching her deadly sai, her mask pulled back over her face to hide her sharp teeth, confirming that she is another fan-favourite character, Mileena, who was not included in the base Mortal Kombat 11 game.

The trailer concludes with the announcement that Shang Tsung will be available through a pre-order bonus, so it’s unlikely he’ll be naturally playable in the game.

In addition to the announcement trailer, one more playable fighter is currently confirmed for Mortal Kombat 1. In the FAQ section of the game’s official website, NetherRealm has confirmed that Johnny Cage will be playable. This short section also confirms that all of these fighters will be “remastered” versions. This may suggest that their appearance and move sequences differ slightly from previous Mortal Kombat episodes.

Is Mortal Kombat 1 worth pre-ordering?

Following the recent announcement of Mortal Kombat 1, pre-order bonuses have been revealed along with the game’s release date. Pre-orders will begin on May 19, when avid fans can pre-order the game on various platforms. The trailer also revealed that regardless of the edition chosen, all pre-orders will include the legendary Shang Tsung as an in-game playable character. In addition, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S pre-orders will also get access to the Mortal Kombat 1 beta, which is scheduled to take place in August 2023. Players who are willing to pay for a premium edition of the game will even be able to play the game sooner.

The Standard Edition, priced at $69.99, will offer both physical and digital copies for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (including Steam and Epic Games Store).

For those looking for an enhanced experience, the Premium Edition, priced at $109.99, includes the Kombat Pack. It gives you early access to the game starting September 14 for 1,250 Dragon Krystals (in-game currency). As well as additional content such as character skins and Kameo Fighters. For Mortal Kombat’s biggest fans, the Kollector’s Edition is available for $249.99, exclusively for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It includes all Premium Edition content plus a 16.5-inch Liu Kang statue. Plus, a Liu Kang in-game character skin, exclusive art prints and extra Dragon Krystals.

One of the exciting new features in Mortal Kombat 1 is the introduction of Kameo Fighters. This unique roster of partner characters brings a new dynamic to the gameplay. It offers the opportunity to assist in matches. Hopefully, this mechanic will expand the gameplay possibilities when the player teams up with an ally.

Source: YouTube, NetherRealm