That Mortal Kombat 1 Trailer Explained (& How It Connects To MK11)

As we're sure you've all seen, Mortal Kombat 1 has been revealed by NetherRealm Studios, with a fantastic looking - and at times gory - new reveal trailer.

But, for anyone who might not know too much about Mortal Kombat, this is a follow-on from the Mortal Kombat 11 game released in 2019. The press release might describe Mortal Kombat 1 as "a reimagined universe", but, how exactly did we get here?

If you're asking what it all means, then read on, we'll try to explain everything in detail.

How Does Mortal Kombat 1 Connect To Mortal Kombat 11?

In order to fully understand what Mortal Kombat 1 has in store, fans should first experience Mortal Kombat 11 and its Aftermath expansion. This campaign DLC was released a year after the initial launch of Mk11. 

If players choose to play as Shang Tsung in the Aftermath DLC, they earned the 'bad' ending. However, those who sided with Lord Liu Kang earned the 'good' ending, where Shang Tsung is defeated. This outcome is also considered canon.

After Shang Tsung's defeat, Lord Liu Kang is able to use Kronika's Hourglass to create a new timeline, which he refers to as his 'New Era'. In this timeline, Lord Liu Kang's deceased friends are no longer lost, resulting in a complete reset of the timeline that started the last time NethreRealm rebooted the series with Mortal Kombat 9 in 2011.

In another scene, fans are then shown what looks like the Wu Shi Academy where several Shaolin Monks are training. Lord Liu Kang appears before his ancestor, the Great Kung Lao, and declares him as his new champion. Kung Lao is confused and asks what he needs to be prepared for, to which Lord Liu Kang only smirks before the credits roll.

Right so, What's Going on in the Mortal Kombat 1 Trailer?

Throughout the trailer we hear Lord Liu Kang talking:

It is time! Time to wake up... to a new reality.

To a blank canvas that I have painted in warmth and peace.

In my new era, the choice is yours.

Whether to live in quiet serenity... or bloody strife.

To dwell in joyous prosperity... or bitter rivalry.

You can face each other as sworn enemies... or united as brothers.

For the storm is brewing.

And soon you will discover... That even in this new era... one constant remains.

There is always something worth fighting for.

The suggestion seems to be that what we are seeing is a whole new timeline and universe, created by Lord Liu Kang when he used Kronika's hourglass in Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath. And not just in Earthrealm, but presumably also on Netherrealm, Outworld, Orderrealm, Chaosrealm, and Edenia.

In this new timeline created by Lord Liu Kang, life is flourishing, and all characters have free will to forge their own path, be it with peace or combat. The big takeaway is also that previously deceased characters have been reborn. For instance, we see Mileena who was technically killed off in Mortal Kombat X by D'Vorah.

Through this reimagining, it seems the NetherRealm team has also been able to get away with giving some of the legendary characters a bit of a redesign and makeover. For instance, to us it looks as though a lot of fighters look significantly younger; Shang Tsung in particular. Although this is CGI, we're expecting some great character models with PS4 and Xbox One support being dropped.

So far, NetherRealm has said that the game will include the likes of Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kung Lao, Kitana, Mileena, Shang Tsung, and Johnny Cage. But this complete timeline reboot of Mortal Kombat 1 is even more exciting for fans simply from how many previously deceased characters could return to the immersive cinematic narrative.

One thing is for certain, we can't wait to see how this new storyline plays out when Mortal Kombat 1 releases on 19 September 2023.