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NetherRealm's Next Fighting Game Needs the Sauce MK1's Ghostface Brought

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1 week ago

December 14, 2024

netherrealm s next fighting game needs the sauce mk1 s ghostface brought

The many realms of Mortal Kombat and the dimensions of Injustice are filled to the brim with a multitude of diverse heroes, villains, and anti-heroes. From the selfless, fire-wielding Liu Kang to the hero turned tyrant Superman, characters of all kinds can be found throughout NetherRealm Studios’ fighting games. While some may not have as deep character motivations or faults compared to Mortal Kombat and Injustice’s main cast, each fighter offers players unique perspectives and fighting styles in both series’ conflict-focused campaigns. However, Mortal Kombat 1’s latest fighter, Ghostface, has offered something to players that few fighters have seldom done before: community debates on what their true identity is. NetherRealm should strive to create more mysterious characters like Ghostface in the future.

Why NetherRealm Moving on From Mortal Kombat 1 May Be a Blessing in Disguise

Table of Contents

The news that Mortal Kombat 1’s updates could be coming to an end is disheartening, but there might be a positive side to this decision in the end.

Mortal Kombat 1’s Ghostface Explained

Ghostface hails from the famous murder mystery and slasher film series Scream. In each Scream film, one or more Ghostfaces go on killing sprees against groups of teens and young adults typically connected to series protagonist Sidney Prescott. The identity of Ghostface in each film is shrouded in mystery for both the protagonist and the audience, with the plot of each film centering around discovering who’s behind the Ghostface mask and stopping their murderous rampage. Ghostface dies in each film, keeping both the characters and audience on their toes for each subsequent film as they try to figure out who the next Ghostface is.

In November 2024, Ghostface joined Mortal Kombat 1’s roster as the latest DLC fighter to be introduced by the Khaos Reigns expansion and Kombat Pack 2. From the moment Ghostface was announced as a DLC fighter, Mortal Kombat and Scream fans alike speculated on whom this Ghostface could be. Some expected them to be a new, original character similar to Ghostface’s appearance in Dead by Daylight, while others thought they were one of Ghostface’s identities from the films. It’s now clear that Mortal Kombat 1’s Ghostface is a group of three characters: Billy Loomis, one of the original Ghostfaces from the first Scream movie, and Mortal Kombat: Deception’s Black Dragon members, Kira and Kobra.

While Ghostface will have his mask on for most fights in
Mortal Kombat 1
, certain Fatal Blows, Fatalities and Brutalities will tear Ghostface’s mask off, revealing Billy Loomis’ face.

The Allure of Mystery Characters in Future NetherRealm Games

In the months leading up to Ghostface’s addition to Mortal Kombat 1, many fans enjoyed speculating about the identity of Ghostface, as it brought a sense of intrigue and mystery to the fighter. NetherRealm could repeat this strategy by introducing more fighters with unknown identities that could be revealed later in the game or remain unknown forever. Besides Ghostface, NetherRealm already used this concealment strategy effectively in Mortal Kombat 1’s base campaign by making Damashi appear to be Kronika reborn until it’s later revealed that she was actually Titan Shang Tsung. Injustice: Gods Among Us similarly concealed the identity of Earth-49’s Nightwing until later in the game where it’s revealed he’s Damian Wayne, not Dick Grayson.

Earth-49 already has a precedent of showcasing characters with concealed identities or alternate forms, such as the aforementioned Nightwing as well as Yellow Lantern Hal Jordan. If Injustice 3 turns out to be the next NetherRealm game, it could similarly introduce a masked or helmeted character whose true identity is revealed later in the game, akin to NIghtwing. This could be in the form of a new entirely masked Batman who appears in response to Bruce Wayne’s death as a result of Kevin Conroy’s passing, for example. NetherRealm could additionally add masked characters from other properties as DLC like a Power Ranger, as it’s done before in prior Injustice games with Hellboy and Scorpion.

Potential Mystery Characters in Mortal Kombat 2

With Mortal Kombat 1 being set in a new universe with alternate takes on characters, future NetherRealm games can reintroduce past characters as new masked or helmeted characters. For instance, Mortal Kombat 2 could introduce a masked character who looks like Erron Black but later reveal that they’re Taven or some other fighter who has been unused in Titan Liu Kang’s timeline so far. NetherRealm could additionally create entirely new characters whose true identity remains a mystery to fellow characters and the players themselves. This could foster community engagement with Mortal Kombat fans developing and sharing theories on whom the new fighter may be.

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Mortal Kombat 1

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.

Released: September 19, 2023
Publisher(s): Warner Bros. Games
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer
Engine: Unreal Engine 4
ESRB: M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
How Long To Beat: 7 Hours
PS Plus Availability: N/A
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty
Cross-Platform Play: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S