Mortal Kombat 1 Review – Jawdropping Game & Graphics

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By: Hypron || Sept 17, 2023

The year 2023 has brought an exciting new release in the form of Mortal Kombat 1, which has set a new standard for beat-em-up games. NetherRealm has managed to exceed expectations with its expert storytelling, stunning graphics, and intense combat. While the previous entries in the Mortal Kombat franchise were well-made, there was something missing from their overall presentation. The slower-paced gameplay and over-the-top time-travel themes left some fans feeling divided.

However, after spending extensive time with Mortal Kombat 1, it’s clear that many of these concerns have been addressed. NetherRealm has gone back to the drawing board and created a game that caters to both hardcore fans and casual players alike. The gameplay is intricate and satisfying, and the overall package of the game is impressive.

As a result, Mortal Kombat 1 is a strong contender for Game of the Year thanks to its impressive graphics, engaging storytelling, and satisfying combat.

Mortal Kombat 1: Features Multiple Chapters

If you’ve played either Mortal Kombat X or Mortal Kombat 11, you’ll know that the story has become increasingly convoluted and absurd. The timeline and events have become a jumbled mess, with the plot featuring time-traveling and alternate dimensions.

However, after Fire God Liu Kang defeated Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 11, he reset history in a way that leads us to Mortal Kombat 1. There’s a renewed sense of hope that all realms can coexist peacefully, but this is unlikely to be the case.

Mortal Kombat 1 features multiple chapters with exciting new backstories, surprising friendships, and plenty of fighting. NetherRealm has stuck to its character-by-character gameplay loop, which works well.

The first two-thirds of the story in Mortal Kombat 1 is refreshingly straightforward and avoids the convoluted timeline manipulation that has become common in the series. Instead, the game focuses on building up its characters and their relationships, which are conveyed to the audience through stunning CGI cut scenes and impressive physical action.

The voice acting in Mortal Kombat 1 is mostly excellent, with standout performances from Alan Lee as Shang Tsung. The game also includes plenty of Easter Eggs for fans of the series to discover, as well as some classic cheesy lines that capture the essence of the original Mortal Kombat.

While the final act does return to the series’ trademark outlandishness, it risks undoing the strong work done in the earlier parts of the story. However, the conclusion is truly mind-boggling and pushes the boundaries of the Mortal Kombat universe in exciting new ways. Fans will be amazed by what the team has achieved with this epic finale, and it leaves the door open for exciting new possibilities in future Mortal Kombat games.

Mortal Kombat 1: Ramped up a notch, Fast, Fluid,

The most important aspect of any fighting game is its gameplay, and Mortal Kombat 1 delivers in spades. The game is fast, fluid, and smooth, with a noticeable increase in speed compared to previous entries in the series. The base roster of 22 fighters, plus the pre-order bonus Shang Tsung, all feel unique despite having appeared in previous Mortal Kombat games. While it would have been nice to see some new characters, it makes sense for the story. Additionally, DLC is expected to introduce new fighters in the future.

Most of the warriors in Mortal Kombat 1 stay true to their typical forms, but some have new twists and turns to learn. For example, Kung Lao’s hat spin special is now slower, and Liu Kang no longer has his flying double kick, which has been repurposed as a returning Fatal Blow.

NetherRealm’s big addition to Mortal Kombat 1 is the Kameo system, which allows players to pick a secondary character from a separate roster of names from previous games. This mechanic is exciting, as it brings back lesser-known characters like Stryker and Motaro. During matches, Kameos have their own set of moves and Brutalities and can be summoned with the press of a button, although their appearances are limited by a meter.

The Kameo system in Mortal Kombat 1 is more than just a gimmick. It can be used to perform launcher moves for fighters who don’t have them, and it’s a great way to keep a combo going. For example, if you’ve landed a nice 2-piece and flung your opponent into the air, you can call in Sonya Blade to dash across the screen and inflict more damage, allowing you to keep the attack going for even longer. This diversifies the move and combo pool and allows for more freedom than ever before.

In addition to the Kameo system, Mortal Kombat 1 also rewards defense with mechanics like Flawless Block, which negates chip damage. Players who have a good grasp of Mortal Kombat’s mechanics will have a great time piecing together deadly combinations.

Despite being a fighting game, Mortal Kombat 1 also has plenty of single-player content. The Story Mode takes a few hours to complete, depending on the difficulty level chosen. The legendary Kombat Towers also return for those seeking a quick fix, and the new Invasion Mode replaces the Krypt.

Invasion Mode in Mortal Kombat 1 is presented in a board-game style layout, challenging players to hop around from tile to tile to complete new encounters. Similar to previous games in the series, challenges are affected by modifiers and different parameters to keep things interesting. The ability to mix and match Talismans, RPG-like leveling up, and secrets adds a nice distraction from the more serious Mortal Kombat action.

However, it would have been nice to see some extension of the Krypt included in Mortal Kombat 1 to make it a more complete package, especially for those who may grow tired of the Invasion formula format after a while. During my time playing online in Mortal Kombat 1, connections were mostly crisp and coherent. The Kombat League and King of the Hill modes have returned, and we can expect this portion of the game to be expanded even further as the game’s lifecycle progresses.

Mortal Kombat 1: Jaw-dropping graphics

I strongly believe that Mortal Kombat 1 is unmatched in terms of visual fidelity, detail, and depth. The level of detail in every background, along with the accompanying lighting and shadows, is truly remarkable. Players are encouraged to take a few hits so they can fully appreciate the amount of effort that has gone into creating such a visually stunning game.

While many people love Mortal Kombat for its gruesome Fatalities, I believe that this does the game a disservice. The Fatality animations are best enjoyed up close and personal, as they are incredibly lifelike and uncomfortably accurate. Seeing someone being sliced and diced, with their internal organs falling out, is a reminder of how far gaming has come.

Mortal Kombat 1: Conclusion

Mortal Kombat 1 not only reboots its own universe but also redefines what we know and love about fighting games. The way the story is told and presented is truly impressive, and the game listens to its fans by refining its addictive gameplay with noticeable nuances and introducing the game-changing Kameo system.

There is a ton of content to enjoy in Mortal Kombat 1, and NetherRealm has peaked at the right time, with fierce competition coming before and after its release. The team will have to test their might to surpass their own work from here on out.