How Mortal Kombat 1’s New Timeline Reworks Every Character’s Origin

With Mortal Kombat 1, NetherRealm Studios is at its most creative and experimental. After following the events of a rebooted timeline from 2011's Mortal Kombat to Mortal Kombat 11, the developer decided to start from square one once again with its newest installment. Mortal Kombat 1 ushers in Fire God Liu Kang's new era, a clean slate for MK lore following the events of Mortal Kombat 11's Aftermath DLC. It's a bold choice for a franchise as old as MK is, but when a property is around for upwards of thirty years, a fresh start can be just the thing to ensure things keep moving smoothly.

Fire God Liu Kang's reworked timeline is all about new beginnings. The realms are at relative peace, Earthrealm isn't at risk of being invaded, and no one is getting any limbs forcibly removed from their body. The biggest changes, however, come from the revised origins of MK1's fighters. Each of the game's roster members has featured in an MK game before, but this time around, many of them are characterized very differently. These reworked origins allow NetherRealm to tell a fresh yet familiar story with recognizable faces, making MK1 feel like the best of both worlds for fans both new and old.

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Raiden

Instead of being a thunder god and protector of Earthrealm, Raiden is now a simple farmer. He's close friends with Kung Lao and only receives his lightning powers after Fire God Liu Kang bestows him with the amulet that Raiden has been seen with in previous MK games. He more or less takes the place of Liu Kang in MK1's story, now that Liu Kang is the one watching over Earthrealm.

Kung Lao

Kung Lao doesn't differ much from his depictions in previous MK games. He's a farmer along with Raiden, and develops his signature bladed hat after a battle with Sub-Zero. He's a bit brash and overconfident as he's been shown to be in the past, but he nevertheless serves as one of Earthrealm's most skilled martial artists.

Sub-Zero

Mortal Kombat 1's Sub-Zero is a bit of a throwback for longtime fans, as now the character is Bi-Han, the original Sub-Zero before Kuai Liang in previous lore. Sub-Zero serves as the grandmaster of Lin Kuei in MK1, leading it with the help of his brothers, Scorpion and Smoke. He still possesses all of his signature ice-based powers and starts MK1's campaign aiding Liu Kang in the protection of Earthrealm.

Scorpion

Scorpion experiences some of the most dramatic changes in MK1's reworked timeline, as the ninja is no longer Hanzo Hasashi. It is instead Kuai Liang, the second Sub-Zero in previous lore, and instead of despising Sub-Zero and the Lin Kuei, Scorpion is Sub-Zero's brother and represents the clan with great honor. Much of the tragedy of Scorpion's usual origin is also gone, as the Shirai Ryu do not yet exist, and therefore aren't slaughtered by the Lin Kuei, nor is he undead. He instead finds conflict within the Lin Kuei as Sub-Zero becomes more and more ambitious as grandmaster.

Smoke

The greatest change to Smoke's origins in MK1 comes from the source of his powers. Instead of having innate control over smoke, the Lin Kuei ninja instead uses smoke-based magic. He now also uses a karambit knife to take on foes, which is a new development in Smoke's arsenal.

Johnny Cage

Johnny Cage goes back to square one in Mortal Kombat 1, returning to his career as an actor and no longer working with the Special Forces. NetherRealm hasn't reverted Johnny back to the shallow attention-seeker he once was, now he's a struggling actor trying to make ends meet. He's still looking for ways to rekindle his fame, but he's much less grating and more willing to embrace his heroism.

Kenshi

In previous lore, Kenshi had inherited psychokinetic powers and feuded heavily with Shang Tsung, as the sorcerer was responsible for his blindness. MK1's Kenshi is instead intent on restoring honor to his family's name after the involvement with the Yakuza. Part of this goal involves regaining possession over his family blade, Sento, which is owned by Johnny Cage. After an initial fight, Johnny and Kenshi develop an unlikely bromance, and the swordsman eventually becomes blinded but gains his powers after Johnny returns Sento to him.

Mileena

Mileena is another MK icon who NetherRealm took in a somewhat different direction with MK1. Before, she was a clone of Kitana spliced with Tarkatan DNA, created by Shang Tsung. In MK1, she's the legitimate daughter of Sindel and older sister to Kitana, but Mileena wasn't spared her Tarkatan connection in MK1. Instead of being a race of people, however, there is now the Tarkat disease, which Mileena goes to great lengths to try and hide lest it affect her rank as heir to Outworld's throne.

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Kitana

Whereas Kitana used to be a loyal assassin for Shao Kahn, she's now a loyal aid to her sister, Mileena. She's also much less arrogant than her previous timeline counterpart, showing a greater openness to Earthrealm's heroes and the Mortal Kombat tournament as a whole. As far as her arsenal is concerned, Kitana still has her blue-bladed fans which she uses with great precision.

Sindel

Sindel's characterization in MK1 is one of the greatest changes from previous MK lore, as the once queen of Edenia who shifted between benevolent and evil is now the dutiful queen of Outworld. Where she once submitted to Shao Kahn, Sindel now rules over General Shao and isn't afraid to put the warmonger in his place. She's very protective of her daughters, Mileena and Kitana, and goes to great lengths to ensure the former's disease isn't revealed to the public.