Summary
TheMortal Kombatfranchise is infamous for having a truly massive amount of fighters. Dozens of different characters have made appearances throughout the years, from iconic names like Scorpion and Sub-Zero, to less established ones like Li Mei and Ashrah. InMortal Kombat 1, developer NetherRealm Studios created a mostly balanced blend of iconic and obscure kombatants. This makes for a roster that feels rewarding for longtimeMKfans, andMortal Kombat 1meets the challenge of reintroducing these lesser characters with great creativity.
Mortal Kombat 1is a new beginning in more ways than one. WhileFire God Liu Kang’s new era refreshesMortal Kombatcanon, it also gives previously one-note fighters new opportunities. Two of the strongest examples of this change come in the form of Baraka and Reptile, who are upgraded from simple henchmen to fleshed out protagonists. It’s a surprising change of pace from how they’ve been depicted in previous entries, and it opens the door for other lowlyMKfighters to receive similar treatment. Perhaps in futureMK1DLC or a sequel, the following kombatants could rise above their station.
RELATED:Mortal Kombat 1: Complete Guide
Erron Black
Erron Black is a recent addition toMortal Kombat, first appearing inMortal Kombat X. This gunslinger’s lore is relatively shallow, but it has a strong foundation that could make for some compelling storytelling. Erron is much older than he appears to be, as he was born in the Old West and has resided in Outworld for decades. He typically finds himself at the side of whoever rules Outworld, but NetherRealm could give him much more depth than this. If the developer provided some definitive backstory on how Erron came to live for so long, and gave him stronger allegiances, he could become less of a blank slate.
Skarlet
Skarlet is a similar character to Ermac in that she started out as a rumored glitch inMortal Kombat 2that turned Kitana’s clothing red. She was first introduced as a playable character inMK9, andMK11saw her first major involvement in anMKstory. Here, she is mostly just a servant of Shao Kahn, who taught her how to use her blood-manipulating abilities. In Liu Kang’s new era, she could be much more than this, and perhaps take a similar route to Reptile.Reptile inMK1is shunned by his people for his ability to shape-shift, and the same conflict could occur with Skarlet and Outworld’s people due to her blood magic.
Moloch
Moloch is about as obscure as they come inMortal Kombat’s list of fighters, first appearing inMortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. This3D eraMortal Kombatgamehad Moloch as a mini boss before Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, and very little is done to characterize him. What is known about him is that he’s an Oni from the Netherrealm, and he’s an underling of Shang Tsung’s, but so much more could be done with him. Given his origins in the Netherrealm, Moloch could evolve into a more complex character. He could take a similar route to Ashrah, trying to find a place outside the Netherrealm among the residents of Outworld.
Mortal Kombat 1demonstrates NetherRealm Studios' ability for innovative, surprising storytelling. Its handling of characters like Baraka and Reptile shows that one-dimensional fighters can be made interesting and sympathetic. The same could be done for many more characters inMortal Kombat’s roster, giving fans more to root for than the same handful of protagonists. It’s currently unknown ifMortal Kombat 1will receive any story DLC, but if it does, it opens up plenty of opportunities for run-of-the-mill henchmen to find a new lease on life.
Mortal Kombat 1is available now on PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
