Highlights

  • Mortal Kombat 1 successfully introduced a new timeline with alternate versions of classic characters, expanding the potential for continuous reinvention of the series.
  • The future of Mortal Kombat's storyline will likely involve plot points from MK1's story mode, Tower endings, DLC, and potential Invasions, leading to new surprises.
  • The epilogue of MK1 suggests that Lord Havik will be the primary antagonist in future story DLC, potentially setting up a battle for Seido, the Orderrealm, or a confrontation with the New Era's Onaga.

Mortal Kombat 1 was intended to be both a soft reboot and a sequel for the now 31-year-old series. Following the story that was set up in MK11, Mortal Kombat 1 did so successfully by entering a new timeline filled with alternate versions of classic characters. The introduction of a multiverse of timelines only expanded upon the potential for continuous reinvention of the series. With seemingly endless directions the story could take, players are left to follow the clues as to what comes next.

The events of MK1's Story Mode ended on a sort of cliffhanger, leaving many to speculate what the future will hold. Recent NetherRealm Studios games have included substantial story DLC, such as MK11's Aftermath DLC. And with statements from the developers suggesting that Mortal Kombat 1 will be supported for years to come, it is safe to assume DLC is coming eventually. The future of the Mortal Kombat storyline will likely be a combination of plot points set up within MK1's Story Mode, Tower endings, DLC, possibly Invasions, and of course some new surprises. In order to predict what may come next in future MK stories, players must examine the current evidence.

Important Tower Endings for MK's Future

  • Scorpion + Smoke (Formation of the Shirai Ryu)
  • Raiden (Implies he might become evil)
  • Reiko (Onaga is revived)
  • Kitana + Mileena (Rule Outworld and fight General Shao)
  • Shang Tsung (Discovers his island)

RELATED: How Mortal Kombat 1 Takes a Minor Character to The Next Level

The Future of Mortal Kombat's Story

Mortal Kombat 1 Reiko ending Onaga Dragon King

Mortal Kombat 1's Story Mode concluded with a new version of the Armageddon conflict. This time, a "rebooted" Deadly Alliance served as the villain. The Titan versions of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi took control of the Pyramid of Argus and fought a massive battle against Lord Liu Kang and his allies from alternate timelines. By the end, Liu Kang was victorious and sent everyone back to their respective timelines. However, the epilogue showed an ominous scene of a Titan version of Havik relishing in the chaos of the battle and suggesting that he plans to have a war of his own.

Mortal Kombat 1 Story DLC

The epilogue in MK1 leaves many to suggest that Lord Havik will be the primary antagonist of future story DLC. This would make sense given the nature of past NRS game's DLC. From a lore standpoint, it is also possible as the Invasions mode suggests that Titans from other timelines can invade at will. As each Invasions season will seemingly focus on a different character from the roster, perhaps the Havik season will coincide with the release of a story DLC.

Havik is an outcast of Seido, the Realm of Order, and seeks only chaos. As the main antagonist, he could greatly sway the MK timeline once again.

Mortal Kombat 2's Main Antagonist

The outcome of any possible story DLC will likely set up the story of MK1's sequel. If Lord Havik does end up being the villain, then that could set up a battle for Seido, the Orderrealm, as Havik will likely try to convert it to a new Chaos Realm. It could also suggest a battle against the original timeline's fiercest foe who ruled by order, Onaga. Onaga, the Dragon King, was set up in MK1's timeline via Reiko's tower ending, in which he was revived and freed from imprisonment under the orders of General Shao.

In MK1 there are also references to a Titan Onaga seeking to attack Lord Liu Kang's peaceful timeline. As Onaga is one of the most powerful villains in the MK universe, it would be cool to see him return as the main antagonist. It would also make sense given the fact that MK1's main antagonists were a new version of the Deadly Alliance. If the sequel follows the same trend, MK2 could feature a new version of the villain from MK: Deception, Onaga. It is to be expected that MK1 will have a sequel eventually but for now, the exact future of the story is still clouded in mystery.