Mortal Kombat 1 Is Finally Great. It Shouldn’t Die Now

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The initial launch of Mortal Kombat 1 was disastrous and deserves considerable emphasis. It felt like a hastily assembled game lacking numerous modes and features, giving off an impression that it was thrown together in a short amount of time. Although the fighting mechanics provided ample room for player creativity, everything else surrounding those systems was underdeveloped or simply poor; a disappointing showing from the obviously skilled NetherRealm Studios team. However, with the release of its final two announced characters and some concerning rumors, Mortal Kombat 1 is currently thriving and doesn’t deserve such an early demise.

NetherRealm has diligently worked on refining MK1‘s riddled structure to an astonishing extent. Almost every character has undergone significant revisions, resulting in a wider array of choices and complexity. For instance, Havik, initially criticized as one of the weakest and least interesting characters at launch, gained substantial utility following the Khaos Reigns update, transforming him into one of the most formidable and distinctive fighters in the entire roster. This transformation mirrors NetherRealm’s apparent post-release philosophy: enhance depth, power, and enjoyment.

In this recent update, fresh mechanics have been incorporated for characters like Baraka, Mileena, Reiko, General Shao, Sub-Zero, Tremor, Tanya, Kenshi, and Stryker, with additional attacks provided for each. Initially, some characters had great potential, but regular seasonal updates have transformed almost every fighter into a unique and visually striking combatant. The downloadable characters showcase this expertise, as most were introduced in a more comprehensive form, complete with an array of tools or intriguing mechanics. It’s evident that there’s a significant gap between the original roster at launch and the DLC fighters, particularly Ghostface, whose multi-killer setup is both theoretically and practically impressive.

(I tried to keep the structure similar while making it easier to understand.)

As a devoted fan, I must say that the effort poured into MK1 has not only elevated it to a more captivating gaming experience but also made it an absolute delight to spectate. Back in the day, early MK1 tournaments were often skipped due to the excessive exploitation of balance issues. Tournaments at launch were oversaturated with the monotonous, caveman-like playstyles of Baraka, Johnny Cage, and Raiden, backed by the equally mindless Cyrax, Kung Lao, and Kano Kameos. Combo Breaker 2024 was a farce, largely due to Peacemaker’s excessively overpowered toolkit. In fact, an image of the top players from a November 2024 tournament went viral because the top eight were dominated by five Homelanders.

The latest Pro Kompetition Mexico and Viennality tournaments have proven anything but dull, showcasing the true greatness of this game when played at its peak. Filled with nerve-wracking, edge-of-your-seat matches, they displayed a diverse array of characters, which is a testament to the relatively evenly balanced nature of the game. Previously, professional players had consistently excelled in MK1, but tournament winnings often favored conservative and risk-averse playstyles; the fun was sacrificed for cash. However, now there isn’t one definitive winning strategy or combination, and this — combined with updated fighters — makes MK1 an exciting spectacle to watch.

In addition to earlier versions of Mortal Kombat 1, enhancements have been made. Crossplay and online practice make it simpler to team up with friends and broaden the selection of opponents. Although Invasions still lack depth in teaching mechanics effectively, they’re now more enjoyable thanks to a few quality-of-life improvements. Similarly, Towers of Time struggles with Invasions’ incongruous RPG mechanics, but provides players with the game’s valuable premium currency and past seasonal costumes. The replay takeover mode is an invaluable learning tool for identifying past errors through hands-on training. Fortunately, the Switch version has seen some visual improvements, and the desync issue has been resolved.

The main storyline of MK1 disintegrates in the climax, missing opportunities for character-specific tutorials and multiplayer rooms. Its outdated matchmaking system consumes time, while the majority of its solo modes are hindered by unnecessary RPG elements that provide misguided instruction to players. Furthermore, MK1 is deficient in many common industry features and fails to innovate either the genre or the studio. Unfortunately, there appears to be decaying matter surrounding MK1 that seems unlikely to ever be removed.

Over the past 18 months, NetherRealm’s efforts to apologize for issues with Mortal Kombat 1 have been evidently beneficial for the game. They’ve demonstrated a keen ear for player feedback, not just addressing balance and features in MK1, but also making adjustments to the premium store prices following criticisms and even distributing free skins. The unanticipated presentation of Madam Bo Kameo seems like a strategic move to reduce the sticker price of Khaos Reigns and regain player trust.

It seems that the overall opinion on MK1 hasn’t changed drastically due to these significant updates, but it’s still frustrating that the game was released prematurely. However, since its launch, MK1 has made significant strides and should be acknowledged for its progress. It’s in a similar position as many games of its genre, with potential to continue for a few more years. The developers, NetherRealm, haven’t confirmed if this is the end or not; there are contradictory reports from reliable sources about both possibilities. Additionally, some argue that it might be better to abandon a questionable foundation and start fresh.

Initially, Mortal Kombat 1 was both a strong fighting game and a poor video game. However, it has significantly improved over time to become an excellent fighting game with acceptable qualities as a video game. The early mistakes made in its first year should not be ignored, as NetherRealm could certainly do better. But those errors shouldn’t also lead to the game’s downfall entirely.

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2025-03-20 21:13