Mortal Kombat 1: Beta Weekend and Gamescom Reveal Recap

"Mortal Kombat 1," the latest installment in the iconic fighting game franchise, is almost here! Set to release on September 14, 2023, this game promises an intricate storyline that picks up from the conclusion of "Mortal Kombat 11," along with the resurrection of  beloved characters and an exciting new gameplay feature: Kameos. With the beta weekend getting a 7-hour extension to now end on August 21 at 3pm PT, avid players are getting just a taste of what's to come as they learn the new mechanics and develop potential strategies and kombos to have the edge over any kombatant.

The tale spun in "Mortal Kombat 1" seamlessly carries on from the dramatic finale of "Mortal Kombat 11" where Liu Kang has taken his place as the God of the new world players are introduced to. After the triumphant defeat of Kronika, the Keeper of Time, and the subsequent restoration of the timeline, the Mortal Kombat universe stands at a pivotal juncture where all seems back to normal, however it's a page out of Marvel's own book on Multiverses and the world of Mortal Kombat is no different this time around. Venturing beyond its familiar boundaries, the story delves into a realm where dimensions collide and weave together, paving the way for new alliances, matchups, and narratives.

One of the most thrilling highlights of "Mortal Kombat 1" is the resurgence of the iconic character, Reptile in not only get a redesigned Monster form, but we get a stunning Human form too. We also see the return of Sun Do's Constable, Li Mei. But that's not all. Netherrealm is known for its amazing DLC Rosters in all their games and Mortal Kombat 1 is getting some amazing characters: Ermac, Omni Man, Peacemaker, Homelander, Quan Chi and Takeda will be joining the game over time which we can't wait to see how they change the game and its matchups.

In a groundbreaking move, "Mortal Kombat 1" also introduced the concept of "Kameos." These special appearances feature characters from past Mortal Kombat games and, granting players the thrilling opportunity to engage in battles that were previously inconceivable due to roster exclusions. Kameos are a testament to the rich history of Mortal Kombat, providing a fresh challenge as players adapt to varying fighting styles and strategies while still getting to play with some of their favorite characters from past games in the form of an Assist. From well-loved classics to unexpected surprises, Kameos offer a captivating new facet to the gameplay experience, opening up endless possibilities for set-ups, punishes and overwhelming kombos that loop into powerful new finishing moves.

As the beta weekend drew to a close, players were logging as much time as they could discovering and perfecting tech while delving into the new intricacies of the game. Initial feedback suggests that Sub-Zero, Johnny Cage and Kenshi are emerging as formidable contenders for Top Tier in "Mortal Kombat 1." With Sub-Zero's icy mastery, Kenshi's spiritual prowess, and Johnny Cage's reimagined combat finesse, players had a diverse array of options to explore and master for the battles that await.

At Gamescom Opening Night, Netherrealm Studios' Ed Boon also kicked off the debut of a brand new trailer for Mortal Kombat 1, revealing fan favorites Sindel with her notorious hair fatalities again and General Shao are  joining the roaster. But that's not all. We got to see more of Raiden and a glimpse at two new Kameos, Shujinko and Motaro!

"Mortal Kombat 1" is poised to revolutionize the long-standing franchise, propelling the narrative into uncharted territories. With the return of Reptile, Li Mei and the debut of Kameos, players can anticipate fresh story twists and thrilling battles. With the release date fast approaching, fans are eagerly counting down the days to step into a realm that defies traditional boundaries and once again test their fates in the electrifying universe of a brand new Mortal Kombat.

Mortal Kombat 1 drops September 19, 2023 on Playstation 5, XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC in Standard, Premium and Kollector’s Editions with a special Pre-Order Bonus of the coveted character, Shang Tsung.

Head over to MortalKombat.Com to pre-order Mortal Kombat 1 today!