Mortal Kombat 1 – the same but different (Picture: WB Games)
NetherRealm has released the first gameplay trailer for Mortal Kombat 1 and it’s got tons of retro references and ultra gory fatalities.
One of the few games we definitely knew was going to be at Summer Game Fest was Mortal Kombat 1, which was due to get its first gameplay trailer. It delivered on that, with four minutes of footage featuring a range of characters and some grotesquely over-the-top fatalities.
In other words, exactly what fans would want and expect from the series. Although the new trailer did clarify what the kameo fighters are: non-playable characters that you can call in to help you out and make a part of your combo. Sorry, kombo.
They seem to work almost identically to assist fighters from various Capcom Vs. games, right down to the way they leap in and out of the action. But then that’s hardly the first time NetherRealm have looked to Capcom for inspiration.
According to series co-creator Ed Boon, who appeared on stage to discuss the game, the kameo fighters are chosen from a completely different roster from the main fighters, although the same character can appear in both – with the kameo version sporting an old school design based on the first three games.
As already implied, Mortal Kombat 1 is a series reboot and set in an entirely different universe to the original, one where most of the same characters exist but their origins and personalities are different – such as Sub-Zero and Scorpion now being loyal brothers.
We were a bit confused by the talk of Jean-Claude Van Damme though, because we assumed that was Johnny Cage fighting in the stage with the swimming pool and he clearly didn’t look or sound anything like JCVD.
So either that’s a different character or they’re only talking about the optional Van Damme skin which has already been confirmed as day one DLC.
Otherwise, it all looked like good, dirty fun, but as with the reveal trailer we’d strongly caution against anyone of a sensitive disposition from watching, as the fatalities really are gross.
Mortal Kombat 1 will launch on September 19 for Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Email [email protected], leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter.
MORE : Mortal Kombat 1 DLC characters leak incudes Omni-Man and Homelander
MORE : Mortal Kombat 1 announcement trailer is so gory you’ll need a sick bag
MORE : Mortal Kombat 12 leaks Peacemaker and Homelander but no actual Mortal Kombat characters
Follow Metro Gaming on Twitter and email us at [email protected]
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
Sign up to all the exclusive gaming content, latest releases before they’re seen on the site.
NetherRealm has released the first gameplay trailer for Mortal Kombat 1 and it’s got tons of retro references and ultra gory fatalities.