Key Highlights:
- Mortal Kombat 1’s official character bios reveal major changes to Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Mileena, Raiden and other returning fighters.
- Scorpion and Sub-Zero are now brothers within the Lin Kuei, although their different views on the clan already point towards conflict.
- Mileena is Outworld’s heir while hiding her Tarkat infection, with Kitana supporting her sister rather than competing for the throne.
Following an update to the official character pages, Mortal Kombat 1 has revealed new histories and motivations for nine returning fighters within Fire God Liu Kang’s New Era.
The biographies cover Liu Kang, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Kitana, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Kung Lao, Mileena and Raiden.
Liu Kang created the New Era after gaining control of Kronika’s Hourglass and restarting history. His biography states that he attempted to neutralise previous threats and give every being the opportunity to find peace.
That peace is already under threat from an enemy Liu Kang did not anticipate, although NetherRealm has not identified the character responsible.
Scorpion and Sub-Zero receive one of the biggest relationship changes.
The two warriors are now brothers within the Lin Kuei, with Sub-Zero succeeding their father as Grandmaster. Scorpion remains dedicated to the clan’s traditional responsibility of defending Earthrealm, while Sub-Zero wants the Lin Kuei to pursue greater influence.
Their biographies therefore establish an alliance while also introducing the possibility of future conflict over the clan’s direction.
Outworld’s royal family has also changed substantially.
Mileena is the older twin sister of Kitana and the rightful heir to Outworld’s throne. Some members of the realm consider Kitana the steadier potential ruler, but Kitana’s biography states that she rejects those calls and intends to support Mileena’s succession.
Mileena is hiding a separate threat to her claim. She has contracted Tarkat, described as a lethal disease that could force her to fight for her throne if the condition becomes public.
That changes one of Mileena’s defining characteristics from previous timelines. Rather than being created as a Tarkatan clone of Kitana, Mortal Kombat 1 presents the pair as biological sisters while turning Mileena’s Tarkatan appearance into the consequence of an illness.
Johnny Cage remains a Hollywood action star, although his career is no longer thriving. His biography describes his fame as fading, with Johnny joining Liu Kang’s Earthrealm champions partly in the hope that the experience will restore his relevance.
Kenshi Takahashi is attempting to restore his family’s name after generations of involvement with the criminal underworld. The Takahashi family lost its ancestral sword, Sento, centuries earlier, leaving Kenshi determined to recover the weapon and free his family from its criminal ties.
Kung Lao begins the New Era far from his previous status as an established Earthrealm warrior. He has spent his life working in the fields of Fengjian but wants the opportunity to achieve something greater and earn lasting recognition.
Raiden undergoes an even larger reversal.
Rather than serving as Earthrealm’s godly protector, the new Raiden begins as a mortal champion selected to fight for the realm. His biography presents him as an inexperienced but capable warrior whose ambition is tempered by a desire to serve Earthrealm.
The character profiles give the clearest indication yet of how extensively Liu Kang’s New Era has rewritten Mortal Kombat history. Familiar identities remain, but family relationships, social positions and personal motivations have changed across both Earthrealm and Outworld.
NetherRealm has so far revealed enough to establish those new starting points without explaining where each character’s story will ultimately lead.
Source – MortalKombat.com
