Highlights

  • Mortal Kombat 1's narrative builds upon the time-bending adventure introduced in MK11 and Aftermath DLC.
  • Sub-Zero emerges as a strong antagonist in MK1, potentially leading the Lin Kuei to oppose Scorpion.
  • An Aftermath-like DLC for MK1 could flesh out Sub-Zero's storyline and set the stage for future sequels.

Mortal Kombat 1 had big shoes to fill after Mortal Kombat 11. NetherRealm Studios' 2019 continuation of the gory fighting franchise was one of its most experimental from a narrative perspective, merging past and present to create a time-bending adventure. With the addition of the Aftermath DLC, MK11 signaled a monumental change for MK storytelling as fans know it, and Mortal Kombat 1 delivered on that promise with spades. The developer truly took things back to square one, and the future of the MK world has rarely seemed so uncertain.

By the time the credits rolled on MK1, the status quo of Liu Kang's new era had been thoroughly altered. After Shang Tsung from the MK11 timeline attempted to tamper with Liu Kang's idyllic creation, many bad actors from previous MK lore fell into their old habits. One such character was Sub-Zero, who fell into his ambition and authoritarian nature and grew to oppose his brother, Scorpion. It was teased in MK1's tower endings that Sub-Zero's Lin Kuei and Scorpion's newly formed Shirai Ryu fell into conflict after the main story, but MK1 could learn a thing from MK11's Aftermath DLC to really give Sub-Zero the spotlight.

Mortal Kombat 11 5 Years
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Sub-Zero's MK1 Ending Explained

Though Fire God Liu Kang and company restored relative peace to the realms by the end of MK1, Sub-Zero remains a strong antagonistic force. The Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei made his intentions to weaponize the clan abundantly clear in his betrayal of Scorpion, and though he was defeated by Kuai Liang, he looks to be a threat moving forward. Fellow clan members Cyrax and Sektor were also mentioned by name in the campaign, and with the direction MK1's Bi-Han is moving in, the combined powers of the Lin Kuei could become a major issue for both Scorpion and the rest of the realms.

MK1 DLC Could Let Sub-Zero's Villainy Shine

Just as MK11's Aftermath DLC let Shang Tsung take center stage, an Aftermath-like DLC for MK1 could significantly flesh out Sub-Zero, and set the stage for MK1's sequel. Based on previous MK lore, there are several directions the Lin Kuei and its Grandmaster could go in. One pivotal decision of the clan in previous titles was the decision to enact its cyber program, which is why Cyrax and Sektor have their iconic robotic forms. In an effort to gain an advantage over Scorpion and the Shirai Ryu, an MK1 DLC could focus on Sub-Zero's efforts to establish the cyber program and turn the Lin Kuei into mindless machines.

One pivotal aspect of MK11's Aftermath DLC was its conclusion, which gave players the opportunity to experience two distinct endings. If players chose to complete the DLC as Shang Tsung, they were treated to an ending that showed Shang Tsung as a Titan, using Raiden and Liu Kang as his personal lackeys. A DLC that focuses on Sub-Zero could offer a similar ending, where players can choose between Sub-Zero or Scorpion for the final battle. Whoever wins becomes Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, deciding the fate of the clan and its place among realms.

Between kombatants like Mileena, Shang Tsung, and Baraka, there are a handful of unanswered questions surrounding the future of Fire God Liu Kang's new era. Sub-Zero is one of the bigger question marks among them, and though dedicating the next MK story to his villainy may not work, a DLC could. NetherRealm has put much of its focus on MK1's kombat pack as of late, but once all the confirmed DLC fighters have been released, it could benefit the longevity and storytelling of MK1 to introduce a DLC that does a deeper dive into this new version of Sub-Zero.