Mortal Kombat 1 returns to the roots to be brutal, ridiculous and fun

Mortal Kombat 1 it returns to its roots in much more ways than one. On the one hand, the installment proposes a new plot line and, on the other, it takes a step back to rediscover itself to resume and propose familiar concepts known to fighting game fans. The goal is to transform the experience, but maintain the flavor that characterizes the franchise. At Summer Game Fest 2023, I had the chance to experience this fresh start firsthand and chat with Lead Systems Designer Derek Kirtzic who delved into some of what’s new from him.

The demo was short, around 40 minutes in total, but it was enough to test the 4 available characters: Liu Kang, Kenshi, Kitana and Sub-Zero. Also, I also got a look at the Kameo Fighters: Sonya, Kano, and Jax, who were sporting their classic outfits from the first 2 games of Mortal Kombat from the 90s.

Video: Mortal Kombat 1 – Gameplay Trailer

The first thing that stands out about the experience is that the control system maintains its level of complexity, despite the fact that some features from the past such as Krushing Blows, running action and variation systems are absent. As you remember, this last mechanic gave each character a completely new set of moves. Thus, the initial impression is that Mortal Kombat 1 returns to its roots by offering a straightforward control layout. This does not mean that there is a lack of complications, since the Kameo Fighters system will take care of offering an element of variety by adding some complexity.

As shown at Summer Game Fest, at the beginning of each fight you must choose a main fighter and a Kameo Fighter to be your assistant. Yeah we all think about Marvel vs. Capcomand so the addition feels like the most significant change from Mortal Kombat in a while. Coming Back: Each Kameo Fighter has a number of unique abilities and properties that you can integrate into your fighting style. The goal, according to NetherRealm Studios, is to allow the player to express their tastes through combat. For example, you can use Jax’s powers to push the opponent or Kano’s lightning bolts to attack him from afar. In addition, they have variations that help you extend combos that pave the way for starting air combos and much more. In the presentation you see a simple example of how Sub-Zero has Sonya, who has the classic projectile from her, but other variations can help to set up aerial combos.

Naturally, these novelties have the most hardcore of the community aware of the balance of the game. When I asked Derek about it, he told me, “We’re always going to focus on balance, but our main emphasis is on having fun and allowing the player to express themselves freely through gameplay and the flow of this unique experience. There is definitely a balance between them.”

For example, certain moves cost more meter than others, so when you use Kano’s ball, for example, he can consume half the meter, while his knife throw costs only a quarter. This allows us to balance the game through resource management to maintain a technical balance.

With the power of the current generation

Mortal Kombat 1 is a brutal fighting game that benefits a lot from the power of the current generation. For example, we really liked that in the transitions between the menu where you select the game mode there are no loading screens; it’s the same flowing sequence to the character select screen and Kameo’s. Before the battle, the camera zooms in on the characters’ faces to hear them exchanging words before the challenge, and when you least expect it, the shot opens to reveal the entire setting. It’s a fluid sequence that hides the brief loading periods with effective tricks to keep us hooked.

In addition, the appearance is spectacular. Derek confirmed to us that Mortal Kombat 1 it uses a new engine that was essential to raise the level of visual effects. We notice that the tone is more colorful, less gloomy than the last installment, which again communicates the feeling of a return to the roots. At the same time, the violence of the fatalities is completely cartoonish; I was hardly repulsed by them. On the contrary, the reaction was positive, what’s more, it was fun! Every time he saw the opponent’s bones break in the x-ray sequences and the rivers of blood gush out, he could only smile and even laugh.

Commenting on this, Derek: “For us, it’s always about trying to do something jokingly to say, ‘This is impossible. There’s no way this is going to happen,’ right? Also to highlight the fun of it all. We never, ever want to go too far to the side of realism and violence until it’s uncomfortable to watch.

We want it to be ridiculous and funny, and just say ‘Wow, that’s ridiculous!’ So we always try to keep it on the joking side of humor.”

I was fascinated with Mortal Kombat 1 at Summer Game Fest and I can’t wait to keep playing when it launches on September 19, 2023 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

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