Summary
Mortal Kombat 1had big shoes to fill afterMortal Kombat 11.NetherRealm Studios' 2019 continuation of the gory fighting franchise was one of its most experimental from a narrative perspective, merging past and present to create a time-bending adventure. With the addition of the Aftermath DLC,MK11signaled a monumental change forMKstorytelling as fans know it, andMortal Kombat 1delivered on that promise with spades. The developer truly took things back to square one, and the future of theMKworld has rarely seemed so uncertain.
By the time the credits rolled onMK1, the status quo of Liu Kang’s new era had been thoroughly altered. After Shang Tsung from theMK11timeline attempted to tamper with Liu Kang’s idyllic creation, many bad actors from previousMKlore fell into their old habits. One such character was Sub-Zero, who fell into his ambition and authoritarian nature and grew to oppose his brother, Scorpion. It was teased inMK1’s tower endingsthat Sub-Zero’s Lin Kuei and Scorpion’s newly formed Shirai Ryu fell into conflict after the main story, butMK1could learn a thing fromMK11’s Aftermath DLC to really give Sub-Zero the spotlight.
Sub-Zero’s MK1 Ending Explained
Though Fire God Liu Kang and company restored relative peace to the realms by the end ofMK1, Sub-Zero remains a strong antagonistic force. The Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei made his intentions to weaponize the clan abundantly clear in his betrayal of Scorpion, and though he was defeated by Kuai Liang, he looks to be a threat moving forward. Fellow clan members Cyrax and Sektor were also mentioned by name in the campaign, and with the directionMK1’s Bi-Hanis moving in, the combined powers of the Lin Kuei could become a major issue for both Scorpion and the rest of the realms.
MK1 DLC Could Let Sub-Zero’s Villainy Shine
Just asMK11’s Aftermath DLC let Shang Tsung take center stage, an Aftermath-like DLC forMK1could significantly flesh out Sub-Zero, and set the stage forMK1’s sequel. Based on previousMKlore, there are several directions the Lin Kuei and its Grandmaster could go in. One pivotal decision of the clan in previous titles was the decision to enact its cyber program, which is why Cyrax and Sektor have their iconic robotic forms. In an effort to gain an advantage over Scorpion and the Shirai Ryu, anMK1DLCcould focus on Sub-Zero’s efforts to establish the cyber program and turn the Lin Kuei into mindless machines.
One pivotal aspect ofMK11’s Aftermath DLCwas its conclusion, which gave players the opportunity to experience two distinct endings. If players chose to complete the DLC as Shang Tsung, they were treated to an ending that showed Shang Tsung as a Titan, using Raiden and Liu Kang as his personal lackeys. A DLC that focuses on Sub-Zero could offer a similar ending, where players can choose between Sub-Zero or Scorpion for the final battle. Whoever wins becomes Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, deciding the fate of the clan and its place among realms.
Between kombatants like Mileena, Shang Tsung, and Baraka, there are a handful of unanswered questions surrounding the future of Fire God Liu Kang’s new era. Sub-Zero is one of the bigger question marks among them, and though dedicating the nextMKstory to his villainy may not work, a DLC could. NetherRealm has put much of its focus onMK1’s kombat packas of late, but once all the confirmed DLC fighters have been released, it could benefit the longevity and storytelling ofMK1to introduce a DLC that does a deeper dive into this new version of Sub-Zero.
Mortal Kombat 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you’ll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you’ve never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
