Review: Mortal Kombat 1

destructoid.com:

NetherRealm Studios has decided it’s time again to reboot the Mortal Kombat franchise with the release of Mortal Kombat 1. But this latest iteration doesn’t just set the number back to one. Until now, the series’ storyline had grown a bit convoluted and full of inconsistencies. Mortal Kombat 1 keeps most of the traditional gameplay and story elements the franchise is known for while pushing it into new territory.

I’m no fighting game expert. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing them, but I’m just no good. In fact, most of my fighting game experience came when I was younger, button-mashing my way through matches with friends. Ironically, this typically happened in older Mortal Kombat titles more than anything. So, going into MK1, I expected more of the same. I figured I’d jump in, play through the story, and check out the Invasion and Tower modes. From there, I’d probably dip my toes into some quick Online Versus, get my ass kicked a few times, and call it a successful endeavor.

But that’s not what happened. Mortal Kombat 1 is quite a ride, and even when I was on the receiving end of a beatdown, I had a blast. Overall, the combat feels a little slower than, say, Street Fighter 6 or even recent MK titles like Mortal Kombat 11. Not too slow; it’s just the right pace that gives me enough time to actually grasp what is happening and really learn. After a few hours, I was pulling off flashy combos and felt like a pro — something I’ve never felt before as a fighting game casual. Obviously, my opponents brought me back down to Earth in my next match. But still, my point stands.

Mortal Kombat 1 (PC, PS5[Reviewed], Xbox Series X|S, Switch)
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
Released: September 19, 2023
MS