Summary
With twelve mainline games and multiple spin-offs,Mortal Kombathas become an expansive video game franchise that hooks people in with addictive tournament fighter gameplay and immerses them in an imaginative world. However, like with any big franchise, sometimes it can be a little daunting for new players as they might not know where to start.
It doesn’t help thatMortal Kombatis also one of those video game series that has had multiple timelines thanks to reboots. Fortunately, there is more than one place in the long line ofMortal Kombatgames for people to jump in and enjoy the games in terms of gameplay and storytelling, ranging from older games to even the latest lineup.
Without the originalMortal Kombat,the franchise wouldn’t be where it is today with all its magic and powerful gods. It shook the gaming world to its core when it hit arcades in 1992 because of its revolutionary yet controversial use of blood and gore with fatalities. This caused such an uproar that it eventually led to the creation of the ESRB rating system.
It shows how muchMortal Kombathas evolved since 1992 when the gore seems relatively tame by today’s standards. However, itintroduced the world to several iconic characterswho continue to be staples today: memorable music, and visuals unlike any other at the time. While the gameplay is simplistic at best, it is always fun to see where the series started.
If the original game was like a seed,Mortal Kombat 2is the flower that bloomed. Midway Games took what they had established and expanded it even more, with impressive visuals and characters to enjoy.Mortal Kombat 2introducedfamous monster characters like Barakaand Reptile to the roster and was the first appearance of Shao Kahn as the main villain.
There is a common saying that less is more, butMortal Kombat 2is an example of how sometimes bigger is better. Even the gameplay is considered a heavy improvement, even if it is leagues more difficult than its predecessor, which can make climbing up the arcade ladder a chore, but playing with friends is a delight.
Perhaps if someone is not into fighting games but is interested in the mythology and characters presented in the games, there isMortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, a 3D single-player action-adventure game. It is an undeniable clone of the originalGod Of Wartrilogy, but one thatMortal Kombatfans have come to love for providing something different for the franchise.
InMortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, gamers can play through the whole game as either Liu Kang or Kung Lao,hacking and slashing through enemiesthroughout the realms. It’s not complex, but there is plenty of fun to be had in leveling the chosen character up while experiencing a story that takes place during and between the events of the first twoMortal Kombatgames.
Mortal Kombat Xis not only one of the most easily accessible entries of the modern era, but it feels like a fresh start as a whole. It was the first game to commit to a mostly new cast of characters, with the next generation of Earthrealm heroes, new Outworld leadership, and old characters under new allegiances that make the game feel like the start of a new franchise.
Mortal Kombat Xshowcases distinct differences in gameplay style compared to its predecessors. While it remains a 2D fighting game, the closer camera view, running mechanic, and character variations provide it with a unique visual flair. Additionally,Mortal Kombat Xfeatures an impressive lineup of DLC characters, including iconic horror figureslike the deadly Xenomorphand Jason Voorhees.
Rather than being tied down by past events,Mortal Kombat 1completely reboots the franchise with new interpretations of characters and lorethanks to the ending ofMortal Kombat 11. While some things remain similar, the story takes many artistic liberties to present a universe for newcomers to enjoy, while longtime fans are still rewarded for their loyalty.
Despite numerous changes,Mortal Kombat 1retains its fast-paced fighting gameplay, which is quicker than that of previous games in the series. Coupled with the franchise’s most vibrant and colorful visuals, the gameplay and redesigned characters provide an excellent entry point for newcomers to theMortal Kombatuniverse.
After eight games resulted in a convoluted timeline of events, the newly formed Netherrealm Studios chose to turn the ninth game into a reboot and a sequel. Time travel allowedMortal Kombatto revisit the original trilogy of games, but now with the addition of altering events to create a new timeline that would continue with games likeMortal Kombat X,Mortal Kombat 11, and evenMortal Kombat 1.
Mortal Kombat, also known asMortal Kombat 9, was a major hit in 2011 thanks to the developers sticking to a simplistic style. There were no obtrusive gimmicks but just straightforward 2D fighting that was a welcome return to classic arcade-style gameplay, whilethe story provided a cinematic adventurethat would define how every game later would present their stories.
