Summary

  • Mortal Kombat 1 has settled into its newest era with new character relationships and features.
  • Rumors and leaks suggest a story expansion and more Kombat Packs are coming for Mortal Kombat 1.
  • The inclusion of the Doomslayer as a guest character could be exciting, but there are logistical and gameplay concerns.

For the time being, Mortal Kombat 1 has settled into its newest era. The game follows through with Mortal Kombat 11’s timeline reset, and players have picked Mortal Kombat’s gameplay and narrative back up in Liu Kang's reborn universe. With new character relationships and features like Kameo Fighters and the Invasions mode to distinguish it, Mortal Kombat 1 has established itself as the new face of the best-selling fighting game franchise.

As Kombat Pack 1 fighters and Invasions seasons keep rolling out, rumors, leaks, and teasers of Mortal Kombat 1’s distant future are already happening. Series director Ed Boon has confirmed a story expansion similar to Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath is coming for MK1, and the game’s extended post-launch support plans means more Kombat Packs are all but guaranteed. Conflicting leaks and datamines have already surfaced for Kombat Pack 2, and a particular guest character has drawn fans' eyes, regardless of whether they can or should join Mortal Kombat 1’s roster.

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Mortal Kombat 1: All Rumors and Leaks for Kombat Pack 2 DLC Characters Explained

Following the accuracy of the first Kombat Pack's leaks, many Mortal Kombat 1 players believe these fighters could appear in the next round of DLC.

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Doomslayer Is A Perfect Guest For Mortal Kombat 1

mortal kombat 1 dlc guest characters

Based on corroborated leaks from shortly before Mortal Kombat 1 was released, the Doomslayer from modern DOOM titles could be playable in Mortal Kombat 1. Datamines from after the game’s launch contradict this, as well as most pre-release leaks regarding Kombat Pack 2, but that doesn't mean Doomslayer is off the table. Mortal Kombat has had a history of inconclusive leaks, such as Evil Dead's Ash Williams being datamined for Mortal Kombat 11 but never appearing, and a Mortal Kombat 12 leak throwing off expectations for MK1. Thus, any Mortal Kombat leaks should be taken with a grain of salt, including the one Doomslayer is part of.

  • Noob Saibot
  • Kano
  • Sareena
  • Harley Quinn (Guest)
  • Deathstroke (Guest)
  • Doomslayer (Guest)
  • Bo' Rai Cho (Kameo)
  • Drahmin (Kameo)
  • Hsu Hao (Kameo)
  • Moloch (Kameo)
  • Rain (Kameo)

If the Doomslayer is on his way, that means exciting times for fans regardless of which Kombat Pack he arrives in. Mortal Kombat's only other video game guest fighter was God of War’s Kratos in the PS3 and PSP versions of Mortal Kombat 9, and the Doomslayer is a perfect fit for Mortal Kombat in the same gory, M-rated way. Doomslayer's most recent title, DOOM Eternal, even provides a solid template for Doomslayer’s MK1 play style, assigning different guns to every part of the Slayer’s moveset. Even if the Doomslayer has plenty of close-range attacks mixed in, his potential animation variety could make him very entertaining to watch, and that's before translating his Glory Kills into Fatalities and Brutalities.

Adding Doomslayer to Mortal Kombat 1 Is A Logistical Nightmare

Doom Slayer in the Xbox Trailer

Mortal Kombat 1 and the Doomslayer seem like a perfect match, but several problematic elements to his inclusion could get in the way. First and foremost, just like Mortal Kombat 9's Kratos, Doomslayer is a first-party Microsoft character thanks to its 2021 Bethesda acquisition. That means the Doomslayer's Mortal Kombat 1 appearance, sensible as it is, could be locked to Xbox Series and PC platforms, just like Kratos was once a Sony platform exclusive. That's even assuming NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Games are willing to make that kind of deal, and haven't already decided against Doomslayer for this reason.

Miscellaneous Concerns Affecting Doomslayer In Mortal Kombat 1

Setting aside exclusivity concerns, a couple of other points are holding Doomslayer down. Mortal Kombat 1 has handled zoning characters better than Injustice 2 and Mortal Kombat 11 did, but the amount of guns Doomslayer uses, not to mention Harley Quinn and Deathstroke sharing his leak, risks their ranged oppression creeping back in. Even if that's kept under control, Doomslayer's inclusion would break the seal on modern Mortal Kombat including video game guests. After years of movie and comic book characters, some game crossovers would be refreshing, but the shrinking pool of realistic, ultra-violent AAA gaming IPs means Mortal Kombat 1 shouldn't make promises that future entries can't keep.

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Mortal Kombat 1 Tag Page Cover Art
8 /10

Mortal Kombat 1
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Fighting
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
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Released
September 19, 2023
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Developer(s)
NetherRealm Studios
Publisher(s)
Warner Brothers Games
Engine
Unreal Engine 4
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Cross-Platform Play
PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Franchise
Mortal Kombat
Genre(s)
Fighting
How Long To Beat
7 Hours
Metascore
84
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium