Summary
Mortal Kombat 1jumped headfirst into a new era for the series, and its sequel needs to keep up the momentum that it created.Mortal Kombat 1’s new timeline has gotten off to a strong start, with many fan favorites and a few unexpected picks gracing the game’s roster, as well as an interesting story. A good opening is only worth so much though, especially in a series that has run as long asMortal Kombat.Mortal Kombat 2has to pick of from where the reboot left off and run with it to keep the story strong.
Picking up where theending ofMortal Kombat 11left off, Liu Kang has become the god of fire and created a new timeline after defeating Kronika. In this new world, the destruction that took place during the previous timeline is no more, and the realms seem to be in a better place, as was Liu Kang’s intention. Unfortunately, evil still has a place in the new timeline, with Shang Tsung and other villains once again rising to become a serious threat to the realms. By the story’s end, there are enough cards on the table forMortal Kombat 2to go in several interesting directions.
Mortal Kombat 1’s New Heroes and Villains Make the Reboot Interesting
The possibilities thatMortal Kombat 1leaves for its sequellargely lie in the new dynamics that the game set up. To name a few major changes from games past:
Already, the timeline ofMortal Kombat 1is promising an entirely new story compared to the last one, and hopefullyMortal Kombat 2follows through on that promise.
One of the biggest possible mistakes that thestory ofMortal Kombat 2could make is snapping back to something resembling the old timeline. The point of creatingMortal Kombat 1’s new timeline was to tell new stories, not revisit the past. It would be disappointing to have Reptile fall back into the role of a minor villain after becoming a trusted ally of the heroes, or for Mileena to lose her newfound admiration and protagonist role to turn back into a despised antagonist. These developments are a chance to tell new stories with these characters, and reversing course would be a waste of potential.
That kind of reversal could even damageMortal Kombat 1in hindsight. If things likeMortal Kombat 1’s take on Sub-Zeroget changed right back, it would give the impression that the team didn’t have faith in the new story.Mortal Kombat 1would go from looking like a daring new step for the series to a temporary diversion. Not only that, it would be a serious letdown for fans who got invested in the new timeline and the plotlines that the first game set up. Trying to go back to the old status quo inMortal Kombat 2would do far more harm than good.
The point of creatingMortal Kombat 1’s new timeline was to tell new stories, not revisit the past.
Mortal Kombat 2needs to stick to the guns that the reboot laid out. While followingMortal Kombat 1’s story will be difficult, erasing or reversing previous developments would be the wrong way to continue. The new timeline is trying out a story that is far unlike anything the series has done before, and there’s plenty of incentive to follow it through to a satisfying end.Mortal Kombat 2has a responsibility to continue the new timeline’s story, and trying to go back on its decisions wouldn’t serve the game well.
Mortal Kombat 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you’ll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you’ve never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
