Highlights

  • Peacemaker, played by John Cena, is a standout Mortal Kombat character with true-to-source material moves and a comic book genre.
  • The character's accessible zoning abilities make him different from other fighters like Quan Chi, offering simplicity and strength in gameplay.
  • Peacemaker's unique blend of technology-based attacks and gameplay styles borrowed from past NRS fighters sets him apart in Mortal Kombat 1.

Kombat Pack DLC character Peacemaker has recently arrived in Mortal Kombat 1, and he's continuing a growing legacy of guests in NetherRealm Studios releases. With a performance from John Cena and a moveset that manages to stay true to The Suicide Squad, the inclusion of Peacemaker is one of the most accurate portrayals of a character from another IP that MK has yet received. He has maintained the bar of quality set by the existing fighters from Mortal Kombat 1’s first Kombat Pack, but Peacemaker also hearkens back to previous games when compared to his peers.

As they’ve become more prevalent in NRS games since MK9, the franchise’s guest characters have grown in importance to the extent that two of the latest game’s three DLC fighters have shared this distinction. Peacemaker falls under the comic book genre alongside Omni-Man, but might be an even truer depiction due to originating from live-action source material. Quan Chi stands alone as the sole returning fighter from Mortal Kombat's history so far, but the archetype that his moveset belongs to is one that Peacemaker players will find familiar.

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Mortal Kombat 1's Homelander Being a Zoner Would Tie into the Show Perfectly

Homelander is on the horizon as Mortal Kombat 1's upcoming DLC character for spring, and making him a zoner would do the character justice.

Peacemaker is a More Accessible Zoner Than Quan Chi

The Relative Simplicity of Utilizing Peacemaker's Projectiles

As a character who uses the straightforward tools of his firearm and helmet, Peacemaker's ability to pressure the opponent at fullscreen is natural given how he’s been portrayed in both The Suicide Squad and his own show. He has a few moves aimed at charging the opponent, but the concept of projectiles is so ingrained into Peacemaker's MK1 moveset that it even includes a gun in one of his normals. His partner Eagly further emphasizes the character’s strength at longer ranges, but he’s not as purely dedicated to the zoner archetype as the previous DLC character.

Quan Chi's Portals and Traps Add Layers of Depth to His Zoning

He has the typical suite of projectile special moves that can approach the opponent from various angles, but what really sets Quan Chi in MK1 apart is his set of portal specials that can enhance his other moves or utilize other properties. Through the various properties he can apply to his specials on top of enhancing them with meter, Quan Chi is able to create unpredictable scenarios where his offense can become overwhelming in the right hands. A character like Peacemaker doesn’t lean as heavily into complex ranged setups, but he’s not nearly as physical as Mortal Kombat 1’s other comic book anti-hero.

Peacemaker Borrows From Previous NRS Fighters More Than Omni-Man

Omni-Man's Viltrumite Physiology is Unmatched

They might both hail from comic books, but there's a stark difference between the abilities of a Viltrumite like Omni-Man and the human-like Peacemaker. In classic MK fashion, however, this power gap is bridged for the sake of cohesive gameplay, but Peacemaker's signature reliance on technology helps to make that more believable. While he can close the gap relatively quickly and support combos with his Sonic Boom, Peacemaker doesn’t come close to the level of aggressiveness found in Omni-Man’s teleport-esque supersonic movements.

Characters Like Terminator and Robocop's Heavy Influence on Peacemaker Explained

As one can see, there are several similarities between the moveset of Peacemaker and previous characters from the previous Mortal Kombat game and beyond. He has animations that evoke traits of Mortal Kombat guest characters like Terminator and Robocop, along with what may be some of The Atom from Injustice 2, but Mortal Kombat 1's lack of those gameplay styles potentially allows him to appeal to NRS fans outside his guest status. It's undeniably refreshing that Omni-Man was able to bring a different take on Superman from what the studio has already worked on, but calling back to past MK fighters has set Peacemaker apart despite also coming from superhero media.