Mortal Kombat 1, the latest title in the famously gory fighting game franchise, is finally out. Read on and see whether its krisp new graphics and bloody fatalities are worth buying in our review!
Mortal Kombat 1 Review and Score Explanation
Mortal Kombat 1 Score Explanation
| Overall | A solid entry to the long-running fighting game series, Mortal Kombat 1 gives the franchise a fresh start by resetting its universe while retaining what made the series great, providing a fun story, heaps of violence, and deadly alliances aplenty. With Krisp and Kolorful graphics, new ways to play old fighters, as well as loads of single-player content to enjoy, long-time fans are sure not to be disappointed and newcomers won’t feel as if they’re left out of the loop. Though the online features are lacking as of the moment, especially as the game is still in Early Access, the single-player content that’s currently available more than makes up for it. |
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| Story | Mortal Kombat 1’s story, despite being set in a new universe, is a mish-mash of a lot of the old tropes that we’ve already seen in previous Mortal Kombat games such as betrayals, tournaments, and fights to the death. This is great fanservice for those who’ve been following the series since the 90s. It does start to feel a little too reminiscent of recent Marvel movies, however, and the way everything comes together actually ends up lowering the stakes. It’s also a very busy plot, with several characters suddenly becoming important to the plot and then fading back into irrelevancy just as quickly. That said, MK1 still has a better story and lore than most other games in the fighting genre, and it stands out because of this. |
| Gameplay | Mortal Kombat 1 plays a lot like its predecessors, with a new gimmick in the form of the new Kameo Fighter system, which effectively gives you a fifth attack button. Even those who aren’t great at playing fighting games in general will have an easy time learning the basic movesets of all the characters, as well as how to put their Kameo Fighters to good use. More serious or kompetitive fighting game players might scoff at how easy it is to play, though, since Mortal Kombat 1’s movesets lack the komplexity of those in other games, like Street Fighter 6 or Tekken. As for its game modes, MK1 has a decent roster of single-player and multiplayer options, from the klassic "Tower" mode to the new "Invasions" mode, which is now the main way you’ll unlock kustom skins and other kosmetics. |
| Visuals | Mortal Kombat 1’s graphics are a noticeable improvement over the visuals seen in the previous entry, MK11. For one thing, the lighting is much better. Because of it, we have krisp-looking models and environments with very lush kolors that katch your attention. The character models have also been improved in terms of realism and detail. Though I would’ve preferred if some fighters kept their original faces (Mileena and Kitana, in particular), the designs still look kool. If you don’t like their new looks, the game also has a multitude of fighter skins for you to unlock. |
| Audio | The music in Mortal Kombat 1 combines a lot of traditional elements like ancient Chinese and Japanese flutes and strings, with modern industrial rock, fast-paced drums, and even rap music. It’s nothing too groundbreaking, but it’s enough to keep your blood pumping during a fight. Let’s not forget to give some kudos to the voice acting! From Scorpion’s iconic "Get over here!" to every one-liner that comes out of Johnny Cage’s mouth, it all adds a certain charm reminiscent of the acting in old real-time strategy game cutscenes. Cheesy? Yes. But undeniably nostalgic. |
| Value for Money | With a fully-fledged story mode, a tower mode where you fight floors full of AI-controlled opponents, seasonal single-player Invasion stories, a bunch of kollectibles, and an online multiplayer mode, you can spend a lot of time with Mortal Kombat 1. What’s even better is that there are minimal micro-transactions, though there is paid DLC. All the in-game currency you need for the Shrine gacha, which is where you’ll get skins and other things, is earned in the game through Invasion mode. You don’t have to spend an extra dollar to get most kosmetics and kustomization options on this game if you bought the Standard Edition, which is priced at $69.99 at present. There IS still a premium currency in the form of Dragon Krystals, which you’ll have to use to buy premium skins, a Day of the Dead Sub-Zero skin. But it’s a step up from buying basic color re-skins, like SF6 does. |
Mortal Kombat 1 Review: Finish Him
For a game that’s supposed to be a soft reboot of the series’ kontinuity, Mortal Kombat 1 does a good job of retaining a lot of the things that made the series great. Its story is a mish-mash of every plot point the franchise has explored in previous iterations, its gameplay is still the same Fatality-riddled fight fest with easy-to-understand movesets, and its visuals are krisp, klear, and not to mention very gory. We’re talking blood splatters, guts, bones breaking, and lurid kross-sections of enemies sliced in half. Despite it being a reboot, the game does not pull its punches when it comes to showing karnage, with blood splattering all over the arena during fights, and Fatalities looking grisly as ever when you finish them.
That’s all Mortal Kombat 1 seemed to have wanted to deliver all this time: a celebration of what the series has been these past few decades. It does nothing too fancy in terms of visuals, gameplay, or story, but it’s proud to show that it’s still the hyper-violent romp a lot of people grew up with, with many nods to past games and developments that verge on being fanservice (“What if a traditionally evil character like Baraka becomes a good guy?” for example). MK1 stays true to its roots, and it’s a sign that NetherRealm Studios will be sticking to these roots in the foreseeable future.
The only things I can say that are holding MK1 back are its limited online options, as well as its choppy animations. So far, you can play online through Ranked Matches in the Kombat League, as well as the Versus and King of the Hill modes. But that’s it. There’s no social aspect where you can trash talk or even chat with other players. At least you can set up your own tournaments with unified rules for all participating players, but Mortal Kombat has a long way to go for its online experience to match up with what some other titles in the genre are doing.
Mortal Kombat 1 Full Game Review
Pros of Mortal Kombat 1
| Things Mortal Kombat 1 Got Right |
|---|
 A Fun and Kampy Story That’s Easy to Get Into Krisp and Kolorful Graphics With Lots of Gore Lots of Single-Player Kontent With Almost No Microtransactions Easy-to-Learn Kombat |
Campy and Fun Story That’s Easy to Get Into
Let me say at the get-go that Mortal Kombat 1’s story isn’t going to be winning any Pulitzer Prizes. It’s too reminiscent of a Marvel hero flick for me to take seriously, and it’s barely a story, if you compare it to the plots of other games outside of the fighting genre.
Having said that, Mortal Kombat 1 isn’t really trying to get its audience to take it seriously. The story seems to be aware that it’s just supposed to be a vehicle to introduce the different fighters in the game, so it has very little restraint as to what happens. As a result, we get a tale that’s laden with deception, bloody action, and deadly alliances, but also hopes, dreams, and even some romance. It’s the kind of story that will require you to turn off your brain as you buckle in, and your experience will be better off for it.
The gist of the plot is that the universe is under a "New Era" forged by Liu Kang after he became the Keeper of Time at the end of Mortal Kombat 11’s Aftermath DLC. Heroes and villains alike find their lives transformed, mostly for the better. But amidst this new order, a mysterious entity emerges, gathering former villains with promises of reclaimed power. This all starts with the original big bad Shang Tsung himself - an evil sorcerer turned feckless konman.
From here, we go into a story that hops between different characters, giving us both a perspective into how they’re living their lives in this new universe and an opportunity to use their new skills. The Thunder God Raiden and the Shaolin monk Kung Lao have become inseparable best friends, while Johnny Cage remains his charming wise-cracking self as ever. And let's not forget about Kenshi - once a swordsman on the hunt for Shang Tsung, now a former Yakuza member who seeks to redeem his family’s name. Along the way, we encounter other iconic fighters who have undergone transformations of their own, and it’s both exciting and nostalgic to see how much the New Era has changed them, while still retaining the essence that made them beloved.
Newcomers will be able to get into the series effortlessly in MK1. With fresh backgrounds for everyone and a brand new universe to explore, you can fully enjoy this hyper-violent, yet delightfully kampy, adventure without prior knowledge of Mortal Kombat lore, making it a good entry point for those who want to jump into the series.
Krisp and Kolorful Graphics With Lots of Gore
NetherRealm Studios has traded in the heavily modified Unreal Engine 3 they’d been using since Mortal Kombat 9 for Unreal Engine 4. Though this comes at a time when other fighting games are moving on to UE5 (like Tekken 8), that doesn’t mean that Mortal Kombat 1 looks outdated. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. With improved lighting, better textures, and great performance, this is the krispest and most kolorful Mortal Kombat game to date.
All of the fighters have been redesigned, with multiple skins for each one of them. There’s a young Raiden, an older Raiden, a Dark Raiden, there’s a Kenshi with a blindfold, a Kenshi without a blindfold, a Kenshi with shades, a Sub-Zero without his iconic hood, Sub-Zero with the hood, and the list goes on. Some of the skins may look rather generic, but you can always use one of the flashier skins once you’ve unlocked it.
Meanwhile, the environments are varied and highly-detailed. You will get to fight in familiar places like the Wu Shi Academy, the Tomb of the Dragon King, the Outworld city of Sun Do, and even a reimagined Pyramid of Argus, all stages featured in past games. But there are also a lot of new places to fight in as well, like the intricately designed Fengjian Teahouse, and Johnny Cage’s extravagant Cage Mansion in Malibu, California. All the arenas have their own kind of eye candy, from bewildered spectators to tables getting wrecked in the background, making them a lot of fun to fight in.
Of course, MK1 wouldn’t be a Mortal Kombat game if not for the hyper-violence. The iconic Fatalities and Brutalities in the game can get really insane really fast, and you’ll catch yourself staring at them slack-jawed just because of how ridiculously lurid they are. There’s enemies being sliced in half with swords, disemboweled by spinning fan blades, spines being ripped right out of their bodies, and all sorts of other superhuman feats of brutality.
Lots of Single-Player Kontent With Almost No Microtransactions
Nowadays, a surprising number of games are receiving applause for their lack of microtransactions. Among them are celebrated titles such as Baldur’s Gate 3, Resident Evil 4 Remake and Jagged Alliance 3 - each providing an unadulterated gaming experience that doesn't try to nickel-and-dime players for kontent like kosmetics stuck behind a paid gacha wall. Mortal Kombat 1 is no exception, offering numerous single-player modes alongside an expansive roster of characters and Kameo Fighters. It also has a gacha but it just uses in-game currency earned through playing the game.
The story kampaign will probably take you six to eight hours to komplete, provided you take the time to indulge in all the in-game movies. Beyond that lies Invasion Mode; an engaging solo excursion spread across various board game-inspired maps, where you'll encounter everything from simple brawls to the series’ classic "Test Your Might" challenges or even brief battles climbing a Tower packed with AI-kontrolled opponents. The best part? This mode not only receives free seasonal updates, but also doles out rewards such as random kosmetics and in-game kurrency at zero kost. All of this while avoiding any need for the additional purchase of battle passes - simply play more to enjoy more.
In our kurrent era it might seem lamentable that we must celebrate what was once industry standard: fully inclusive gaming experiences without hidden costs. But if there’s one aspect that distinguishes Mortal Kombat 1 from its competition, it would be how it seems committed to ensure player satisfaction without constantly tapping into their wallets beyond the initial purchase price. The game does have a premium currency in the form of Dragon Krystals, which you’ll have to buy with money, but so far it’s only used to purchase premium skins. Almost everything else can be unlocked just by playing the game. While still not ideal, it’s a step up fro
Easy-to-Learn Fighting Gameplay
Mortal Kombat may not be the most technically complex fighting game out there, but its simplicity has become one of its greatest strengths. Fighting games can be quite niche, often requiring extensive time and effort to truly master. Some people, if not most, may not be willing to do that.
So here comes Mortal Kombat 1, with its relatively easy to learn movesets. There’s also a rather deep tutorial that will teach you everything, from how to move, to how to juggle your opponents in mid-air. Granted, you’ll still have to put in some effort, but MK1 smooths out the learning curve without sacrificing too much depth.
If you're new to fighting games and kurious about diving in, Mortal Kombat 1 is a fantastic starting point.
Cons of Mortal Kombat 1
| Things That Mortal Kombat 1 Can Improve |
|---|
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Online Multiplayer Experience is Lacking Kompared to Kontemporaries Story Kan Get Too Busy At Times Invasions Mode Kan Get Very Tedious Fast |
Online Multiplayer Experience is Lacking Kompared to Kontemporaries
While the single-player content in Mortal Kombat 1 is undeniably great, its online component falls a bit short. Don't get me wrong, there’s plenty good with it. There are three modes available: the fierce competition of the Kombat League, the kasual Versus mode for laid-back battles, and the intense King of the Hill where you fight to defend your title. Matchmaking is relatively quick, with no noticeable input lag or performance issues. And while crossplay wasn’t included at launch, NetherRealms Studios has said that it’s in the kards.
But here's where Mortal Kombat 1 falters: lack of social interaction. Sure, there's supposed to be an in-game chat (not that I was able to use it), but when compared to games like Street Fighter 6 or Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, with their hub zones and kustomizable avatars, Mortal Kombat 1 feels a bit… lonely. Trash-talking opponents and showing off your sweet cosmetics would have added so much more excitement and immersion. Perhaps they'll consider implementing something like this down the line through DLC. But until then, I’ll have to say that other fighting games have MK1 beat when it comes to the online experience.
Story Can Get Too Busy At Times
Like I mentioned earlier, Mortal Kombat 1’s story won’t be winning any awards when compared to the stories of games like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Last of Us. It’s also no stranger to making convoluted plots where characters who were killed in the past installment inexplicably come back in the latest installment, either through a main story reboot (like in Mortal Kombat 9), resurrection, or time travel (like in Mortal Kombat 11).
Mortal Kombat 1’s plot developments are actually rather straightforward compared to those past installments. But we’re put into the shoes of so many characters throughout the whole story that some characters end up falling out of importance as fast as they suddenly became important to the story.
Though this is quite inevitable when you’re dealing with a story that has so many characters that you want to give equal screen time to, the way MK1 handles it is so busy and dizzying that we barely get to know some of the playable characters. We don’t even get to know much about the Kameo Fighters - klassic kombatants like Sonya, Kano, or Motaro. They’re just… there. In fact, the Kameo Fighter system itself is kind of just there, but that’s a separate gripe. Unless you’re fans of the Kameo Fighters, you most likely won’t really care much about them, other than being glorified additional attacks.
Invasions Mode Kan Get Very Tedious Fast
Kosmetics in Mortal Kombat 1 can be unlocked through the Invasions Mode without spending a cent. However, be prepared for what could become repetitive gameplay. After all, Mortal Kombat is primarily fighting with a sprinkling of Test Your Might mini-games, and the Invasions Mode makes sure you get plenty of that…maybe even too much. It might reach a point where you'll set down your controller and say, "Maybe I've had enough of Invasion Mode…"
There are just so many fights, and each fight on the board has its own set of modifiers. You could have demon fireballs flying around or buzzsaws ready to slice your feet if you mistime your jumps during the fight. They provide an exciting challenge at first, but if you get nailed by a fireball in a particularly tough fight for the fifth or so time, it can get tiring really fast.
One can only hope that NetherRealms will update and diversify Invasion Mode in future seasons. Perhaps fewer modifiers per fight and additional game types beyond the regular brawls, Test Your Might, and Tower Mode (which is essentially just stacked regular brawls).
Mortal Kombat 1 Story Plot
Following the events of Mortal Kombat 11’s Aftermath DLC, Liu Kang - the God of Fire and Keeper of Time, has reset the universe. Here, in this new kosmic order, all major characters of the Mortal Kombat series have been given a second chance to pursue happy and meaningful lives. Meanwhile, the villains of the old timelines, have had their destinies altered so they wouldn’t be able to threaten the order of the universe anymore.
But in the Outworld, one of the many dimensions of the universe, a con-man and snake oil salesman named Shang Tsung is given a chance to rise to power and become the great villain he once was. Just in time, too, as the Earthrealm and the Outworld are about to hold the Mortal Kombat tournament, which could decide whether or not the two realms will end up in war.
Who Should Play Mortal Kombat 1?
Mortal Kombat 1 is Recommended if You Enjoy:
• The Mortal Kombat games
• The Tekken series
Mortal Kombat 1 is a great title for those who like fighting games, but also like the stories that surround them. Of course, both the MK and Tekken franchises have dedicated story modes full of information about their various characters and the setting, making them perfect for lore lovers.
Both games also aren’t as demanding to play as other titles in the fighting genre such as Street Fighter, so those who just want a quick button-mashing sesh either alone or during a party will definitely like MK1. We’re not suggesting you make the fatalities a conversation starter, but hey, nothing grabs eyes more than a Hollywood martial artist taking a selfie with someone’s face he drove into the pavement.
Is Mortal Kombat 1 Worth It?
Definitely Worth the Kash
Mortal Kombat 1 not only delivers an engaging story but also offers a wealth of post-game content through Invasion Mode and Tower Mode. And for those who prefer a more kasual approach to fighting games, MK1 is worth every penny, so long as you’re purchasing the Standard Edition. Plus, here's the kicker - you won't have to shell out any extra kash for additional content! All those fancy kosmetics?There are some themed premium skins you'll need to pay for with Dragon Krystals, but everything else is unlockable just by playing the game. So go ahead and get your bang for your buck without breaking the bank.
How Mortal Kombat 1 Matches Up to Recently-Released Games
| Games That Came Out Recently | Why Get Mortal Kombat 1? | Why Get the Other Game? |
|---|---|---|
 Starfield |
Mortal Kombat 1 is a fun and hyper-violent romp that’s easy to pick and play with friends at a party, or even by yourself. If you’re looking for a casual and easy pick-up rejoice as you won’t have to give it as many hours as you would other fighting games, or a big RPG like Starfield. | That said, Starfield is an open-world RPG where you can do a lot of things aside from pulling people’s spines out of their bodies. Exploration, space flight, looting, krafting, killing - there’s a lot of stuff to do. |
 Lies of P |
Again, Mortal Kombat 1 is something you can dip into quickly and learn while playing with friends. | But Lies of P appears to be the superior game for its gameplay, storytelling, and setting. The Souls-like gameplay feels more engaging because it actually feels like improving your skills there is worth it, as opposed to fighting games where ‘getting good’ doesn’t always guarantee victory, especially against crazy good human opponents. |
 Sea of Stars |
Mortal Kombat 1 is the more engaging game because you need to be focused enough to pull off different moves and block hits from your enemies. Plus, it’s a lot more violent compared to Sea of Stars. | If you're seeking a game that doesn't demand your full attention and offers slower, but still engaging turn-based combat, Sea of Stars would be the better game. Its delightful art style and lighter tone would also cater to those who aren't particularly fond of gruesome visuals. |
How Mortal Kombat 1 Matches Up to Similar Games
| Games Similar to Mortal Kombat 1 | Why Get Mortal Kombat 1? | Why Get the Other Game? |
|---|---|---|
 Mortal Kombat 11 |
Mortal Kombat 1 has the characters of Mortal Kombat 11, the bloody visuals, as well as the shenanigans of past MK installments wrapped up in a new graphics engine. It has also replaced the Krypt from MK11 with the Invasion Mode as the primary way to unlock cosmetics and other items. Invasion Mode doesn’t have those bothersome puzzles the old Krypt mode has, though it can feel a bit repetitive. | On the other hand, Mortal Kombat 11 has a more komplete roster at this stage compared to MK1, and it also has Friendships (the much kinder version of Fatalities). Also, for all its faults, the Krypt was a fully-explorable 3D environment rather than a game board, so it feels more like you’re actually exploring a place. |
 Street Fighter 6 |
Mortal Kombat 1 is easier to get into, easier to learn, and easier to master compared to SF6. There’s also the fact that it’s not padded with microtransactions. What you see with MK1 is what you get, and you won’t have to spend additional kash just to get features like alternative skins that should be unlockable for free anyway. | But SF6 does have MK1 beat when it comes to online multiplayer. The Battle Hub is a good social experience where you can interact with other players, trash talk them, and even fight them on the spot to practice your skills. Fighting online in MK1 feels dated by comparison. |
 Tekken 7 |
Mortal Kombat 1 not only looks better than Tekken 7 but also packs a gory punch that'll grab attention faster than Bandai Namco's old fighter. There’s also the fact that MK1 uses rollback netcode for a stable online gaming experience. You and your opponent's machines will predict each other’s moves, which means less lag (making a big difference in certain fights). Meanwhile, Tekken 7 relies on a netcode that has input delay, where both players will have to wait on each other’s machines to receive their inputs over the net, which could result in lag. | Tekken 7 meanwhile still has a rather active online kommunity despite its age, and a healthy roster of fighters. Also, Tekken 8 is on the horizon, promising better graphics, as well as its own rollback netcode. |
Mortal Kombat 1 Trailer
Mortal Kombat 1 Product Information
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| Title | MORTAL KOMBAT 1 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 19, 2023 (Early access starts on September 14) |
| Developer | NetherRealm Studios |
| Publisher | Warner Bros. Games |
| Supported Platforms | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Fighting |
| Number of Players | Single System (1-2); Online (1-8) |
| ESRB Rating | M |
| Official Website | Mortal Kombat 1 Website |
