Highlights
- NetherRealm may benefit from creating its own crossover fighting game, similar to MultiVersus, to diversify its portfolio.
- DLC characters in Mortal Kombat have included popular faces from outside IPs, like Omni-Man and Peacemaker.
- Instead of filling games like Mortal Kombat with non-MK characters, NetherRealm could put them into their own crossover fighting game.
MultiVersus is set to be Warner Bros. answer to the character brawler genre that was made so popular by Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. After closing its open beta, MultiVersus is now ready to launch in its complete state on May 28, and although it will be exciting to fight so many iconic Warner Bros. characters, like Bugs Bunny and Superman, one specific developer owned by the company should be taking notes.
NetherRealm has made itself well known in the fighting genre since it was founded in 2010 by Ed Boon. From there, the studio has produced the popular Injustice series and continued the Mortal Kombat franchise that Boon helped start. Although these are two great franchises for the studio to have under its belt, NetherRealm may actually want to look into creating its own version of what MultiVersus is attempting.
MultiVersus Has the Challenge of Catching Lightning in a Bottle Twice
MultiVersus will soon be making its big return with an official launch but, having faded away before, the game has a tough road ahead.
NetherRealm Creating Its Own MultiVersus
The studio has two powerful fighting franchises under its wings, but jumping into character brawler territory would not only diversify NetherRealm's portfolio, but it also wouldn't be that crazy of a leap. NetherRealm is already dabbling in this with Mortal Kombat 1, and the studio should finally take the leap to create a brand-new IP with the concept.
Mortal Kombat 1's DLC Characters
One of the biggest features that has been included in Mortal Kombat 1 is the special DLC characters that have been periodically added throughout the game. Although some of these DLC characters have been longtime staples in the Mortal Kombat franchise, like Quan Chi and Ermac, Mortal Kombat 1 has taken some liberties with these extra characters by bringing in popular faces from outside IP.
The first major crossover character to be included in Mortal Kombat 1 was Omni-Man from Invincible. Clearly, this character has no attachment to the Mortal Kombat series, but his inclusion has stretched the boundaries of who Mortal Kombat 1 can include in the game. Since then, DC's Peacemaker has made his way into the roster, and Homelander from The Boys is the next anticipated superhero to find his place in the game.
NetherRealm making its own character brawler would present the opportunity to use characters from Warner Bros. properties that may be deemed too mature for MultiVersus and its overall tone, like Joaquin Phoenix's Joker or Tony Soprano.
Giving DLC Characters Their Own Game
These DLC characters from various comic book properties are fun and all, but they can also be distracting for those who truly love the lore and story of Mortal Kombat. As funny and great as Peacemaker is in the game, it's also jarring to see him going head-to-head with Liu Kang or Mileena. The inclusion of too many DLC characters from other pop culture moments could quickly cause Mortal Kombat 1 to lose focus on what it originally started out as, and it limits the amount of classic Mortal Kombat characters that can return post-launch.
This presents the perfect chance for NetherRealm to take what it has learned from the likes of Homelander, Omni-Man, and Peacemaker and create a bloody, gore-fest version of MultiVersus. By taking the best parts of MultiVerus with its diverse character roster and blending it with the over-the-top violence of Mortal Kombat and Injustice's superhero focus, NetherRealm could build one of the next big character brawlers. This would not only give NetherRealm the chance to branch out and build a more impressive lineup of games, but it would also help keep games like Mortal Kombat and Injustice from getting overstuffed with guest fighters while still getting to watch characters like Omni-Man and Homelander beat each other to a pulp.
MultiVersus
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS5 , PS4 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- August 15, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Player First Games
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Bros. Interactive
