I am not a fighting game player really, but I really enjoy playing through the Mortal Kombat campaigns. I find the characters fun and the plot surprisingly interesting, this one is no different. Mixing a very cinematic story with the constantly swapping fighters keeps you entertained, even though I suck at the fighting.... The story is satisfying for people who have played the other games, having played 9, X, and 11 there were a lot of things I picked up on that made for cool moments and plot lines. I look forward to playing the next campaign one day, I will not be playing more cause I am too bad and scared to go online.

the roster is perfect, the designs are the best they have EVER BEEN. the DLC picks so far are really good, and the leaks have me very excited. however, my problem lies with the fact that there is almost no replay-ability.

once you beat invasions mode for the month (which takes about 5 hours), you do not have much to do. looking back on MK11 (heavy bias for that game btw), every character had a TON of gear to unlock so it always felt like i was working towards something. and with the krypt being huge and its own little game gave me a ton of stuff to do.

in MK1, you level up characters by playing them, and unlock their cosmetics, brutalities and fatalities that way. while I am a fan of this, (rewarding the player for playing), the execution is not my favorite. In MK11 you would unlock items for any character, even if you didnt play them. This made it so that if you wanted to try a new character, you already had a lot of things to play around with. In MK1, it feels like you just started a new save file.

A lot of people hate the premium shop, and rightfully so. I personally don't mind it that much, as I am used to microtransactions for cosmetics, and the game does give the player a TON of skins for just playing the game.

so far since launch i've been playing this game for about a week and then putting it down for a month, due to having nothing to do. the EXP gain is incredibly slow. when omni-man came out I planned on leveling him up to max, because he was fun. I had to play 250 matches, and win almost all of them to get him to max level. At that point he was no longer fun, and I will probably not play him for a very long time.

I'm still going to play this game as new content comes out, but for now, if you have not played a mortal kombat game before, I recommend you skip this one and play MK9 or MK11 until more releases.

Check out my full game review on the media platform. (NOTE: Review is written in Dutch)

-- ENGLISH VERSION --

The most skull-cracking, muscle-tearing fighter has received a new installment with Mortal Kombat 1. The story starts from the beginning but like never before. For over 30 years, Mortal Kombat and NetherRealm Studios have been known for their intense battles involving brutality and robust storylines. The latest addition to the series, Mortal Kombat 1, may bring the biggest gameplay change the series has ever seen.

We're talking about the new Kameo system, a kind of tag-team option where you can enlist a sidekick to deliver a few blows. These sidekicks, called Kameos in the game, are unfortunately not directly playable, but you can add them to your team. A Kameo essentially breaks the rules of the game by combining characters, making the fighting dynamic and enabling sick combinations, strategies, and interesting matchups.

While this game mechanic is not entirely new in the fighting game scene, Mortal Kombat 1 executes it exceptionally well. Each Kameo has a set of moves that you can use to make your fighting style unique.

However, there are a few aspects that could use a bit of polish, but where the game excels, as usual, is in the storytelling.

Back to basics
Don't panic; going back to basics can be good. The fighting itself is still excellent. The move list for each character is clear and easy to understand. The gameplay seems to return to basic moves in Martial Arts, with combos, to be discovered by the player, being more based on martial artistry than special moves. Of course, familiar moves from the series, like those of Scorpion and Sindel, still play a significant role in your combos.

The joy of any fighting game comes from the mix of panic and anticipation as you try to figure out which bloody finishing moves your opponent is eager to use. Mortal Kombat 1 still doesn't disappoint in this regard.

The Kameo system, although somewhat seen before in the series and other fighting games, is well-executed in Mortal Kombat 1. Kameo fighters, characters briefly entering the fight with a button press, serve various purposes, from starting or complementing combos to acting as an escape or last-resort tactic.

An attack from Kung Lao, for example, can initiate or complement a combo, while other Kameos serve as an escape or last-resort option. With thoughtful reflexes, these Kameos can also help you escape from an opponent's combo at the cost of your energy bar.

Excellent story with occasional drawbacks
Rather than a remake, as the conspicuous "1" suggests, Mortal Kombat 1 is actually a sequel to the wild finale seen in the previous game. This short but powerful sequel takes about 6 to 7 hours to complete. Although it may seem short, the story feels much longer than it actually is.

Liu Kang is now a "God of Fire" and has changed the universe to banish all evil. While it introduces a new universe, the story follows a generic path of faction switching, fan service, and endless clichés. You can almost predict the upcoming lines, as it sometimes feels too predictable.

The storyline is adjusted, choosing to portray some villains as good characters and introducing an overenthusiastic passion for the word "timeline."

However, there are some points of frustration in the story mode. In each chapter, you play as a different character, but you receive no guidance on what makes them special, their background, or their mission. The essentials, such as their combos and special moves, are not clearly explained.

Invasions are good but can be improved
Mortal Kombat 1 introduces Invasions this time. This new game mode is a kind of virtual game board that combines thematic environments and rewards from the former The Krypt with RPG-like elements from previous games and modes. The idea is good, but in reality, it could be better executed.

Each "tile" has its theme with an associated fight. After playing a few times, these fights become repetitive and quickly lose their challenge. Meanwhile, you collect rewards, keys to progress, and can occasionally take on small challenges.

The overall game mode is a nice twist for the game and somewhat breathes new life into it, but it quickly loses its wow factor.

Summary
Mortal Kombat 1 brings innovations in gameplay with the Kameo system, making fights more dynamic. This fighting system adds a new strategic layer to all battles.

The story continues its epic predecessor from the previous game, with a clear emphasis on the timeline. A short but powerful story mode where the script is often predictable. It's also interesting to see traditional "bad guys" return as allies in the story, giving the game a fresh vibe.

The single-player mode "Invasions" combines elements from previous modes but can feel repetitive and lacks challenge at times. This game mode brings fresh elements but can be improved to maintain long-term interest and replayability.

As a long-time MK fan, I think this game is really fun to play, has a great story mode, and was an excellent experience for the most part. But in the back of my head, I know this game isn't worth the $70 with the lack of content and the current monetization problems. Again, the gameplay is tons of fun, and I adore the Kameo system. But there are still several problems that I hope NRS can iron out soon. I still really enjoy the game overall and an MK fan will have a blast with it. I would just recommend waiting for a sale till these issues get better.