Highlights
- Mortal Kombat 1 rewrites Reptile as a more noble character, giving him a compelling story and making him a hero to his people.
- Reptile's reinvention in MK1 allows players to connect with him on a deeper level, empathizing with his struggles as an outcast.
- Reptile's revamped narrative in Mortal Kombat 1 changes the course of the game's story and sets up future sequels, making him one of the best reinventions in the series.
Mortal Kombat 1 opened the door to a new era for the series' long-running timeline. This reset came complete with refreshed characters, stages, lore, and more. Each new version of the legacy Mortal Kombat characters featured in the game was revamped in some way. There are many stand-out character reinventions such as an honorable Sindel, Mileena as a princess and heir to the throne, Baraka as a good-hearted merchant, and so on. Among the re-written character narratives is one that is arguably the most stark and impactful, and that is the story of Reptile.
Reptile, whose actual name is Syzoth, is a Saurian from the realm of Zaterra. This remains consistent in his original timeline backstory and the rewritten narrative of Mortal Kombat 1. The details, however, greatly impact his role in the Mortal Kombat universe, his style from a gameplay perspective, and the potential direction of future sequels and supplemental material. To fully understand Reptile's reinvention in MK1, his lore in the former timeline must also be analyzed.
Reptile's Origins In Mortal Kombat
Reptile is a character who has been redesigned and reintegrated into each Mortal Kombat title that he has been featured in. Initially appearing as a fully human form with the ability to remove his face revealing a fully reptilian head, he gradually became more and more lizard-like. Reptile's original design stemmed from his humble beginnings as a secret boss fight in the original Mortal Kombat. As he was a mere palette swap for Scorpion and Sub-Zero, he didn't have much lore or interesting design elements surrounding him.
After Mortal Kombat 2, Reptile became more of a substantial character. In the original timeline's lore, Syzoth was one of the last surviving members of his Saurian race, the reptilian race that fled from Earthrealm at the end of the Cretaceous Period. There was a war between Shinnok and the God of Thunder, Raiden, which wiped out most dinosaur races during what would be known as the K-T Event. Reptile and the other surviving Saurians fled to the realm of Zaterra to rebuild their civilization. Eventually, Shao Kahn invaded Zaterra with his Outworld forces and quickly conquered the realm. Most Saurians were slaughtered, and as one of the last surviving members of his race, Reptile joined Shao Kahn.
To catch me - they must see me.
- Reptile in Mortal Kombat 1
How Reptile Swayed Mortal Kombat's Timeline
Reptile's story in the Mortal Kombat games mostly consists of him serving under Shao Kahn while searching for a means to revive his species and free Zaterra from Outworld's grasp. In order to survive, Syzoth remained a loyal servant to whoever was in command, whether it be Shao Kahn or Shang Tsung. Using his invisibility technique, he remained in the shadows and was never the main focus of a particular event. When Kotal Kahn took over Outworld, Reptile switched allegiances.
Reptile most substantially changed the course of Mortal Kombat's story in Deadly Alliance. Reptile's tower ending in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance concluded with him being turned into Onaga, the Dragon King. At the time, Onaga was set up to be the fiercest foe in Mortal Kombat history, seeking to unite the realms and obtain the ultimate power of the Kamidogu. Onaga became the main antagonist of MK: Deception and an enemy whose return to the franchise has been set up in MK1.
Why Mortal Kombat 1's Reptile Is So Important
Reptile's reinvention in Mortal Kombat 1 saw the character finally receive the attention he deserves. He has always been one of the most beloved characters among the fan base but rarely given much spotlight. MK1 rewrites Reptile as more of a noble character, a family man who wants to protect his family. No longer a crazed coward who simply follows whoever is in command, Syzoth takes action when Liu Kang and Earthrealm's champions offer him a chance to fight for good.
By giving Syzoth a more compelling story players are able to connect with him on another level than in the past. He is an outcast, shunned by his people for having the abnormal ability of shape-shifting. The Zaterrans he fought so hard to revive in the past are no longer extinct but tragically want nothing to do with him. Reptile is forced to work for Shang Tsung in order to protect his wife and child, but when he discovers Shang Tsung already killed them, he changes sides. These compelling events make Syzoth a character to empathize with and want to succeed.
Reptile's ending in Mortal Kombat 1 concludes with him finally becoming a hero to his Zaterran people. As he becomes an emissary for the royals of Outworld, he is respected for doing what no other Saurian has. Fans of Reptile finally get to see the character united and heralded by his people and a champion of Mortal Kombat. His triumphant story paired with his familiar yet innovative gameplay makes Reptile one of the best reinventions in Mortal Kombat 1.
Mortal Kombat 1
The 12th mainline entry in Warner Bros' franchise, Mortal Kombat 1 is set to be a soft reboot. Along with staples like a single-player campaign and online multiplayer, the 2023 game will also introduce Kameo Fighters.
