Highlights
- Mortal Kombat 1 introduces a new timeline and fresh origins for beloved characters, including Reptile, who has a long history of redesigns.
- Reptile is a warrior of the Saurian race with the ability to shapeshift and camouflage. In the rebooted timeline, he has been cast out of Saurian society for his ability to take on human form.
- The Saurians' survival indicates a major change to their origin, suggesting a different history than in previous versions. Their existence may play a significant part in the rebooted timeline of Mortal Kombat 1.
Mortal Kombat 1 arrives later this month, and both creator Ed Boon and developer NetherRealm Studios have spent much of the summer introducing its fans to its new timeline. Throughout Summer Game Fest 2023's many stages and the recent Gamescom Conference, the team has revealed the fresh origins of a host of fan-favorite characters, including Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Shao Kahn. However, the most memorable may be that of Reptile, who has a long history of redesigns throughout the Mortal Kombat series. Reptile boasts a unique set of skills that have long set him apart from other fighters, with his Saurian heritage allowing him to take on a myriad of forms. In Mortal Kombat 1, Reptile's core set of skills remains intact, but his backstory, and role in the Mortal Kombat universe, feature a major change.
Mortal Kombat 1 picks up sometime after Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath, following Fire God Liu Kang’s creation of a fresh timeline. Peace and prosperity seemingly reign in this universe, with many of the series’ most brutal adversaries living in harmony. That all comes crashing down when Shang Tsung, and likely an even bigger villain, disrupts the timeline's inhabitants, leading to the titular Mortal Kombat Tournament. Mortal Kombat 1’s rebooted timeline offers long-time fans something fresh, and new fans a perfect jumping-on point, introducing new mechanics, like the Kameo system, that promise to usher in a new era for the franchise.
Mortal Kombat's Reptile is No Stranger to Reboots
Syzoth, or Reptile, is a warrior of the Saurian race, humanoid reptiles that can shapeshift into human form and camouflage to their environment. Reptile was first introduced in the original Mortal Kombat, as a secret boss fight. While his first few appearances saw the character in human form, later titles would introduce his reptile form and links to the Saurian race. Syzoth is one of two surviving Saurians, alongside Khameleon, who have appeared throughout the Mortal Kombat franchise. While Khameleon has maintained her appearance for the majority of titles, Reptile's ability to shapeshift sees the character redesigned in nearly every title.
The Saurian race was native to Earthrealm, until a war between Shinnok and Raiden led to the K-T event, resulting in the end of the Cretaceous Period. While many dinosaur and reptile races were eradicated, the Saurians fled to another realm, Zaterra, where they rebuilt their civilization. However, Shao Kahn later invaded and conquered Zaterra, leaving Syzoth and Khameleon as the lone survivor of their race. While Syzoth would later join Shao Kahn, Khameleon escaped plotting revenge for the Saurian people.
Mortal Kombat 1 Delivers a Major Change to Reptile's Backstory
Mortal Kombat 1's Reptile is unlike previous incarnations, as it has been revealed that the Saurian race is alive and well. Rather than existing as a lone survivor, Syzoth has been cast out of Saurian society, due to his ability to take on human form. This truth alludes to the Saurians still occupying Zaterra, as Shao Kahn's violent history has been wiped from the timeline. Mortal Kombat 1's Reptile also boasts the ability to fully transform into a human form, eliminating the need to hide behind a mask like in previous versions. In his reveal trailer, Reptile is recruited by Fire God Liu Kang to fight against a threat to Earthrealm.
Mortal Kombat 1's Syzoth appears to indicate a very different take on the Saurians, as both their survival and origin likely boast a major change of their own. Without a conflict between Raiden, as a God, and Shinnok, there would be no reason for their fleeing Earthrealm. If another means brought them to Zaterra, they would have ruled it unchallenged for Millenia, likely boasting a highly capable civilization by the time Mortal Kombat 1 takes place. It is unclear whether Syzoth was exiled to Earthrealm, or if a means of traveling between the Realms is openly available. Either way, the Saurians may play a significant part in Mortal Kombat 1's rebooted timeline, making their existence, and potential motives, a major factor in the Mortal Kombat universe, moving forward.
Mortal Kombat 1 launches September 19 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S
