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This piece is a breakdown of the new Mortal Kombat 1 story trailer that launched during Gamescom 2023. The new trailer is called Rulers of Outworld, centering on returning fighters from the realm of Outworld. The trailer revealed that Sindel, Shao Kahn, Motaro, and Shujinko are returning to the franchise. Sindel and Shao Kahn are playable fighters, whereas Motaro and Shujinko are Kameo assist characters. Shao Kahn has been reinvented for the new timeline in Mortal Kombat 1 as General Shao. Continue reading to learn more about our breakdown of the official Mortal Kombat 1 story trailer.
Mortal Kombat 1 The Rulers of Outworld Trailer
Mortal Kombat 1 is another reboot of the franchise. After obtaining godhood and becoming Earthrealm’s guardian in Mortal Kombat 11, Liu Kang decided to alter the timeline to make it better. Mortal Kombat 1 features a new timeline, with all the characters receiving new backstories and lore.
The Rulers of Outworld trailer begins with a celebration in Outworld. Liu Kang’s narration reveals that there is peace among the realms, but there are people in Outworld who still seek world domination. General Shao, Shao Kahn’s alternate self in this new timeline, is one of the Outworlders who wish to conquer.
Empress Sindel claims Shao is the victor of the Tavarian War, and Outworld is indebted to him. However, she refuses to go along with the General’s desire for war.
The next scene has God Liu Kang and his champions from Earthrealm meeting with Sindel and her daughters in Outworld. Sindel reveals that her deceased husband and Liu Kang founded a tournament, most likely the Mortal Kombat tournament. Whereas the original timeline had Mileena be Kitana’s clone-sister. Mileena and Kitana are now twin sisters and daughters to Sindel.
Liu Kang introduces Raiden as Earthrealm’s primary champion. Raiden is reborn as a mortal in the new Mortal Kombat timeline, yet he still fights with his electric powers. General Shao taunts Raiden as Earthrealm’s champion, setting a rivalry between Shao with the rest of Earthrealm.
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Based on the Mortal Kombat 1 story trailer breakdown, the main conflict of the campaign appears to center around the civil unrest in Outworld. Previous trailers reveal other Outworlders don’t accept the current monarchy.
The Rulers of Outworld trailer showcases how war-driven Shao still is. He may not be a ruler of Outworld in this new timeline, but he still wants to conquer and dislikes Liu Kang and the Earthrealmers.
Meanwhile, Mileena is the older twin and will rule Outworld after her mother. However, she’s been affected by the Tarkat disease, slowly transforming her into a sharp tooth creature like Baraka. She’s also not as popular as her sister Kitana. As a result, potential conflict between the two arises.
Rulers of Outworld Gameplay Footage
The Rulers of Outworld official trailer for Mortal Kombat 1 also showed the first gameplay footage of Sinel and General Shao in action. The trailer was also the first major spotlight of Raiden in combat. While all three characters are given updates to their fighting stances and attacks, General Shao receives the most drastic change.
Shao Kahn was a hulking fighter who hit hard with his giant hammer.
While still large in size, General Shao is not nearly towering over players as Shao Kahn. General Shao also uses an axe to fight rather than a hammer. He can plant his hammer on the floor and launch enemies onto it to hurt them. He can also use his axe to cause trembling earthquakes.
Sindel returns in Mortal Kombat 1 with her usual attacks and gameplay mechanic. She fights using her long hair and magical screams to harm her opponents. She’s given some new moves to update her to Mortal Kombat 1’s novel gameplay. Sindel used Motaro as her Kameo assist fighter. Motaro has great reach, using his tail to strike opponents. He can also summon a red shield to deflect projectiles.
Raiden’s thunder and lighting attacks remain visibly the same as they have been in previous Mortal Kombat games. He is more precise and skilled with his technique, showing how he doesn’t have his god powers anymore. Shujinko returns as a Kameo fighter, using his fast fists to attack his opponents when summoned.
Mortal Kombat 1‘s story may end up becoming the franchise’s most ambitious narrative yet. The game is completely revitalizing classic characters, taking the cast in new and exciting directions. If the whole game matches the full ambition of the story mode, Mortal Kombat 1 may end up becoming one of the best fighting games this year.
Mortal Kombat 1 will release on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch on September 19.
