Mortal Kombat 1 campaign is an 8 hour long campaign that can fill more like a glorified animated movie then it does a flawless video game. That being said how else is a dense storied told in a fighting game? Well, I beat the campaign. So, you didn’t have too… You’re welcome!
My excitement for the franchise grew in anticipation since it’s announcement. My story of Mortal Kombat links back to my youth. When I was forced to leave my friends behind and relocated to a little pueblo near Guadalajara for a Summer in the 90’s. Bu that’s a story for another time. My friends and I use to play the original Mortal Kombat at their house. Since they had a copy on the Sega Genesis. Which at the time was the more superior cartridge, as the Sega cartridge had the uncensored version of the game in all its glory. I still remember sitting there as my innocents was slowly ripped from my soul. It. Was. Awesome! Since that faithful day. I’ve gotten a copy of every major release in the franchise. For Christmas of ’96, my mother got me the PlayStation One with a copy of Crash Bandicoot and Mortal Kombat Trilogy. I was 9 back then. In my freshman year of high school. I was expelled for defending myself against some bullies. Instead of grounding me like most parents. My mother rewarded my actions by taking me to my local Barnes and Nobles, and bought me a copy of Mortal Kombat ‘Deadly Alliance.’ In my early 20s, my cousin George and I would crack a six-pack of Natty Ice, and compete against each other to see who was the better player in Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe, and it’s subsequent releases there after. In case you’re wondering. I’m the better player. Although, I am not the biggest fan of the franchise, I do have a bond with it, and therefore feel like I am qualified to speak on my experience in playing the new Mortal Kombat 1 campaign.
Campaign
After Liu Kang defeats Kronika and retrieves the hour glass. He [Liu Kang] is thrusted upon with the responsibilities of balancing the scales in the universe, and so, he takes it upon himself to create a ‘new timeline.’ One in which is free of tyranny and destruction. But he soon finds out that there is an unknown player that’s creating a disturbance in the scale. Liu Kang in this new timeline, is a demigod that was once the keeper of time. But he chooses to relieve himself of the power before becoming corrupted by its powers. In doing so, he leaves Geras in charge of the hourglass in order to become Earthrealm’s protector.
An infamous sorcerer by the name of Shang Tsung is now living on the outskirts of Outworld; struggling to survive by selling miracle potions as a ponzi scheme just to get by in his meaningless life. When an unknown character that is referred to as Demashi (Japanese meaning for ‘deceive’) offers him limitless power in exchange for his services. Their plan is to create a ‘Deadly Alliance’ with other powerful sorcerers; removing Liu Kang’s timeline altogether, and ruling all of Outworld and Earthrealm.
We get introduced to our unlikely heroes. Hollywood’s has-been delusional actor who finds himself in financial hard times after his rise and fall to fame, Johnny Cage. A former member of the Yakuza in search for the Sento sword, Kenshi Takahashi. Who are recruited by Liu Kang, along with a young and struggling duo Raiden and Kung Lao. These four fighters are chosen as Earthrealm’s champions against Outworlds in Mortal Kombat tournament. This is when the story starts to unfold, and veer away from the tournament as the balance of the cosmos begin to tip. Raiden is chosen as the leader of the team to defend Earthrealm in the tournament.
During the festivities leading up to the tournament that takes place in Outworld. Liu Kang and company face the likes of Outworld’s Empress Sindel, along with Princess Mileena and Princess Kitana. The Emperor’s chosen champions are the daughters themselves and Sun Do’s First Constable Li Mei. Who finds herself in array of disappointment by the Royal family after the death of Emperor Sindel’s beloved King Jerrod. As fierce as she maybe in the competition. It is General Shao Khan and his second-in-command Reiko that pose the biggest threats to Earthrealm’s finest. As General Shao Khan has been advised by the Sorcerer Shang Tsung that Liu Kang will conquer Outworld upon winning the tournament.
Princess Mileena is infected with the Tarkan disease after leaving the palace one night, and has been getting treated by the sorcerer and royal company, while trying to keep the secret from getting out. Which would banish the first-borne into exile in the Wastes. In order to hold on to the throne, they must keep Princess Mileena’s illness a secret. Geras informs Lord Liu Kang that their is foul play and manipulation taking place at the tournament, and finds out that Shang Tsung has been advising Emperor Sindel; compromising Liu Kang’s timeline. So, he sends Kung Lao, Johnny, and Kenshi to the wastelands to discover what the sorcerer’s plans are. Earthrealm’s champions find Shang Tsung extracting fluids from the tarkan people. Baraka is their leader of the colony. After defeat, Kenshi convinces Baraka that Shang Tsung is up to no good, and they need to capture him. So, Baraka agrees to help. Upon discovering Shang Tsung hideout, the A team find themselves in a sticky situation against Outworld’s finest. After being captured, Quan Chi arrives to inform Kitana of his prophecy that Liu Kang will conquer Outworld. A deception created by the benefactor Demashi. A deadly alliance between Quan Chi, Shang Tsung, and General Shao Khan has formed.
After being captured, Shang Tsung reveals his true purpose of harvesting souls in the process of building new creations. But the process proves fatal for the victims. Reptile is the gatekeeper in charge of the laboratory. He is forced by Shang Tsung by holding his family captive. After finding out that they were murder many moons ago. Reptile helps the champions escape and join the cause. In the Lost Forrest they clash with Ashrah, demon of the Netherrealm, in battle, as she mistakes the heroes for demons. She escaped from her former Master Quan Chi after finding out he wanted dominion over all the realms, and upon denouncing her alliance, Quan Chi wants her dead. The plot thickens when Ashrah informs the champions that Quan Chi is building a device of mass scale to steal souls, and is testing it on the dead in the Lost Forrest, and is aiding Shang Tsung.
Quan Chi has amassed his own alliance with Kitara, Darrius, Sareena, and Havik. Their role is to provide the soul stealer’s in return in aiding them with spells to rid of their troubles. Before ambushing Quan Chi and company, Johnny relieves Kenshi of his duties as a protector, and honor’s his sacrifice for protecting Johnny’s life by giving Kenshi the Sento sword. When the battle seems all but lost for the villain’s. Ermac intervenes the battle. But Kenshi and the Sento sword become one, giving Kenshi eyesight again. Upon defeating Quan Chi, Ashrah destroys the soul stealer.
Liu Kang orders the Lin Kuei warriors Subzero, Scorpion, and Smoke to protect Earthrealm. But Subzero shows dissatisfaction with his role in the matter, and wants more. Scorpion and Smoke on the other hand honor their role as protector’s. Creating a tear in the clan as the story progresses. Scorpion in this timeline is actually Subzero’s brother Kuai Liang. It did not occur to me until discourse between friends after I beat the game. Which explains the prominent scare on his face left by Bi-han during one of their battles in this campaign. The clan are sent on a secret mission to gather information on Shang Tsung’s role in the disruption while Raiden and the rest of the heroes take part in the tournament.
The narrow escape has us following Syzoth as he creates a diversion for the heroes, as they try to escape Outworld. After being found out by Shao Kahn. He sends Reiko after him. But they narrowly escape the party thanks to Liu Kang. This leads to Liu Kang and Geras finding out that the Sorcerers and General have been conspiring against Sindel and her royal traditions. So, Liu Kang sends the Lin Kuei on a mission to discover what Shang Tsung’s ultimate plan at his fortress. When finding Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, the brothers quickly create a version to disrupt the sorcerers plans. But upon capture, Shang Tsung offers Sub-Zero an offer he can not refuse. To take back the Lin Kuei from Liu Kang’s ruling. Shang Tsung all discloses that he plans on using Emperor Ying’s great dragon army. This army was built to protect the Emperor in his afterlife, and they were enchanted by the mages of the court. Sub-Zero accepts the offer and turns his back on his brother. While exposing the truth that Sub-Zero was responsible for the death of their father. In desperation, Scorpion fights his way out of his chains and plans his escape. Getting through a horde of soldiers, and fighters in the process burning Havok’s face off. After meeting back up with Smoke and informing him of Sub-Zero’s betrayal. The Grandmaster Sub-Zero scars Scorpions face in battle. But Scorpion prevails, and they escape with Sub-Zero. So, that he does not aid Shang Tsung.
Geras and Liu Kang discover that there is another timeline. One in which is parallel to Liu Kang’s. So, he and Li Mei set course to inform the Empress. But they are soon interfered by Reiko, Tanya, and even Kitana. But after the defeat of Kitana, Mileena gets involved in the fight. Exposing her tarkot disease to the Umgahdi. After the battle, the Empress see’s her ways, and hears Liu Kang out. Upon discovering the true acts of Shang Tsung’s practices. Sindel is horrified and Liu Kang discloses the truth. That he is the Timekeeper of all time, and he crafted the timeline in which they are in now. He explains that he intended to create a peaceful timeline which was stripped of any possible threats. Giving each past ruler a meaningless life here. But somehow someone from another timeline interfered with his plans. On their narrow escape. Tonya get incurred. Leaving Mileena to defend her mistress in battle against Ermac, and after his defeat. Ermac loses all power over the souls. Letting Mileena’s father Jerrod to take possession over the zombie like body. Once all gathered, the heroes set out to ambush Shang Tsung and his army before they proceed with their plan to conquer both realms. Mileena creates a diversion while the rest of the team ambush Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. After the sorcerers defeat. Demashi reveals herself to actually be Shang Tsung from another universe. In classic exposition, Demashi (Shang Tsung) explains that in their past battle that occured in MK11. The timeline created two diversions. In one, Liu Kang was the victor. In the second, it was Shang Tsung. Once Shang Tsung figured out what occurred. He created a plan to infiltrate Liu Kang’s timeline, elevating wretches, and given them power. So, they can sow discord among realms, and help assemble the Dragon Army. With his intent to destroy this timeline, and exterminate everyone in it, merging it into his own.
In battle, Sindel fights her evil self. Which is the first and only doppelgänger fight. But upon defeat, Sindel gets stabbed by a sword and dies. Jerrod collects her soul, and the heroes escape, yet again. Shang Tsung entertains the idea that it may be possible that the fabric of time may have ripped further causing multiple timelines. Geras discloses that Liu Kang maybe able to travel to other timelines. But Liu Kang would need to once again take on the role as Timekeeper.
In the chapter Deadly Alliance, the team divide forces in hopes to disrupt the plans of the evil sorcerers in creating Armageddon. Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, along with Raiden, set out to destroy the portal. But they soon discover that by destroying Evil Shao Kahn. It would completely close the gates, thus eliminating their chances of defeat. Meanwhile, Liu Kang brings forth Kitana from his original timeline. But this time she is also a Titan. But Shang Tsung interrupts their reunion, and so the battle of Titans take place. Shang Tsung’s attempt was a failure and they retreat. But the Titans quickly gather all their allies in Armageddon. In the last chapter, you choose your fighter. I chose Liu Kang because he’s the OG. This part of the chapter is the most unique of all chapters, as it introduces variants of classic and current fighters. Such as LK-7T2 (a Rain/Cyrax clone) or Shao-Zero. If these designs are offered in future release. I believe this would be an amazing way to make this release a stand out amongst it predecessors. When defeating all variants along the path upward, and reaching Shang Tsung. The final battle takes place between a Liu Kang variant and Shang Tsung with ally Quan Chi. After defeating Shang Tsung. Which is the shortest battle of the entire campaign. I couldn’t help but feel like it was a lackluster battle for a boss, and the ending was underwhelming. As if the writers wrote themselves in to a corner, and couldn’t quite stick the landing. The Timekeeper Liu Kang returns everyone to their original timeline.
We meet again at Madam Bo’s teahouse. As the original team celebrate their victory. Johnny Cage filmed the entire campaign on his phone and landed a gig as a director of his new Mortal Kombat film. Raiden and Kung Lao return to the Wu Shi to begin their training of their new candidates for the tournament. Kenshi’s focus is to revive the Taira. Mileena, now Empress Mileena, has taken over Outworld. The sorcerer’s Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, along with general Shao Kahn are imprisoned for treason against Outworld. Bi-han and his Lin Kuei have abandoned their roles as Earthrealm’s guardians. But his brother Kuai Liang is building a new clan called the Shirai Ryu. Liu Kang must continue to watch over the realms. But with this new set of heroes the realms are in safe hands.
