For most people, Mortal Kombat is nothing more than a decapitation simulator ... which is a shame, because over the last few games, NetherRealm studios has woven a surprisingly intricate tale.
Back in the day, fighting games barely even had stories, and yet, with the 2011 Mortal Kombat, NetherRealm turned what could have been the weakest part of the game into one of the best. It wasn't just a bunch of people decapitating each other anymore (though there was plenty of that), it was a story of two different dimensions fighting it out for the fate of the universe.
Granted, without playing the games, the Mortal Kombat storyline can come off as a bit cluttered. It's almost to be expected after 20-plus years' worth of history ... and even with the 2011 version resetting much of the story, the Mortal Kombat lore can be a bit confusing. So, in honor of the latest game's imminent release, here's everything you need to know about the story of Mortal Kombat:
The Characters
There are plenty of iconic characters in Mortal Kombat, but most of the game's history has been determined by a few key players. Simply put, Mortal Kombat is a war between worlds, and these are the generals:
Shao Kahn
First Appeared in: Mortal Kombat
In Earthrealm, the former Elder God Shinnok seeks to escape his prison within Raiden's amulet. The Kamidogu, daggers of power that act as keys to Shinnok's prison, have been corrupted by the blood magic of Havik — a sorcerer who intends to release the once-great Elder God. The daggers, under the influence of Havik, take the lives of many warriors, including Scorpion's revived Shirai Ryu and the resurrected Sub-Zero.
Essentially, it seems as if Havik is behind everything: the cleric seeks to start a war between Earthrealm and Outworld, as well as release Shinnok from his prison. As it stands, things look bleak, and it doesn't look like things will get better anytime soon.
To be honest, there are a few holes in the story: neither the game nor the comic describe the NetherRealm War in any detail, and there are a few characters that have come back to life with no explanation given. There are still a few issues left in the Mortal Kombat X comic series, so expect the bridge to be finished over the next few months.
As for the game itself ... well, the only way to find out what happens is to pick up Mortal Kombat X when it launches on April 14.
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