The Mortal Kombat franchise has undergone several forms of evolution throughout its long and storied history. Mortal Kombat 1 ushers in perhaps the greatest evolution yet though, completely refreshing the canon to make way for Fire God Liu Kang's new era. Many fan-favorite names now have revised origins, and the series as a whole has gone back to square one to deliver a fresh take on MK lore. This includes bringing the actual Mortal Kombat tournament back into focus in Mortal Kombat 1, an aspect of lore that has historically taken a backseat in favor of other storytelling.
Since the franchise's early days, the Mortal Kombat tournament has been a major plot point. In the very first Mortal Kombat game and the rebooted story of MK9, Earthrealm is at risk of being conquered by Outworld if it loses its tenth consecutive tournament. This adds a considerable amount of drama to each fight, and it makes Earthrealm's ultimate victory feel triumphant. In recent years, however, the Mortal Kombat tournament has taken a backseat to different narrative angles, and Mortal Kombat 1 perpetuates this fact. While this can be disappointing in some ways, it allows NetherRealm Studios to do something fresh.
MK1 Speeds Through the Tournament
Mortal Kombat 1 starts out rather humbly. Raiden, Kung Lao, Kenshi, and Johnny Cage are recruited as Fire God Liu Kang's champions, and the four fighters compete to be the one to represent Earthrealm in the tournament. Raiden emerges as the victor, and after Liu Kang bestows him with his lightning powers, the group travels to Outworld. Mortal Kombat 1 wastes no time getting right into the tournament, as Raiden fights against Li Mei and Reiko to start. After this point, MK1 makes a bold decision regarding the rest of the competition.
After a scene in which Earthrealm's champions dine with Empress Sindel's court, MK1's campaign skips through many of Raiden's fights in the tournament. Three fights in total occur off-screen, and once Raiden defeats Kitana and General Shao, the tournament is over. This all transpires with little fanfare, and players have very little reason to get invested as Raiden's is only the third chapter in MK1's whole story. Ultimately, the tournament serves as a foundation for the rest of what MK1 has to offer, and it may be better off in this role moving forward.
Moving Away From the MK Tournament Allows for More Freedom
While the minimal role the tournament plays in Mortal Kombat 1 may be disappointing for fans who long for the drama of the format, it allows for much more narrative creativity on the part of NetherRealm Studios. MK1 has already been praised for its final act, and if the game were to closely adhere to the constraints of the tournament, odds are that development wouldn't be possible. When a series has been around as long as Mortal Kombat, even a return to form shouldn't get too bogged down in being a one-to-one recreation of past games. NetherRealm balances this well, delivering a nostalgic yet innovative experience.
Mortal Kombat 1 is a huge step forward for the series in every way. Not only does NetherRealm Studios deliver a thrilling campaign, but the Kameo fighter system adds an unprecedented layer of freedom and variety to each match. While it can be exciting to see MK return to the tournament, the decision to use it as a jumping-off point serves the overall narrative much better than it would if it was the sole focus. Time will tell if NetherRealm Studios continues to build on the story it established in MK1 without the tournament, or if it will find a way to reintroduce it in some way.
Mortal Kombat 1 is available now for PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X/S.
