Summary
- Mortal Kombat 1 revamped the franchise with new systems like Kameo Fighters, leaving behind staples like the iconic Krypt.
- The Krypt from past games made unlocking content fun, offering a unique in-game currency system and immersive adventure mode.
- There is still room to innovate with the Krypt, potentially pairing it with new modes to enhance the gameplay experience in future MK titles.
Mortal Kombat 1 sought to distance itself from previous games in the franchise by drastically revamping things, with some changes more obvious than others. The rebooted timeline, updated character backstories and designs, and the Kameo system are the most prominent updates. However, other features that had become series staples up to that point were also dropped to make way for Mortal Kombat 1's new systems. Perhaps one of the most noteworthy lost features is the iconic Krypt.
The Krypt was featured in nearly every MK from 2002's Deadly Alliance to 2019's MK11. The side mode evolved substantially over the years and was essentially dropped in favor of MK1's Invasions mode and Shrine. Though MK1 still allows players to earn unlockable content in these two modes, the gameplay loop is drastically different. The next Mortal Kombat to follow MK1 has the opportunity to learn from the series' past and potentially revive this lost feature.
It Would Be Wise to Avoid an MK1, MK11 Controversy in The Next Mortal Kombat
MK11 and MK1 both included some elements that have left fans very unhappy and it would be best for the next game to move away from them.
Why Mortal Kombat's Krypt Needs To Return
The Krypt Makes Unlocking Extra Content Fun
When the Krypt was first introduced in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, it was pretty bare-bones, but it still managed to innovate what an in-game content shop can be in a fighting game. As the first Mortal Kombat game designed for and released exclusively on home consoles, Deadly Alliance found interesting new ways to pack the game with additional content that was not possible to include in arcades. The introduction of a currency system played into the new Krypt, allowing players to earn multiple types of koins by playing through the tower or the new Konquest mode.
Originally designed as a literal crypt, Mortal Kombat's Krypt featured rows of coffins, each requiring a certain type and amount of koin to unlock. Players could spend in-game currency to unlock characters, character skins, concept art, behind-the-scenes videos, and more. Each game innovated the Krypt further, becoming more of a side game in the process. MK11's Krypt was presented as an almost stand-alone adventure game, a far cry from a simple menu for players to spend in-game currency.
There Is Still Room To Innovate
Mortal Kombat's Krypt successfully features the following elements:
- A store to spend earned in-game currency
- Unlockable characters, skins, stages, and more
- An immersive "adventure" mode (with items to find and short puzzles to solve in later games)
- A place to dive deeper into the lore of the series
The Krypt essentially combines the key elements of several modes and packages them into one. The store aspect was especially prevalent in earlier games, as there was no DLC yet. In Deadly Alliance to Armageddon, every unlockable was packaged in the game at launch. Earning koins and exploring the Krypt was an essential part of the gameplay loop, and the idea that any of the unmarked coffins could hold a new character was particularly exciting.
Though the Krypt saw many iterations, there is still room to innovate. Although most in-game content is added in seasons or via packs in an online store, the reintroduction of a Krypt could still serve a modern Mortal Kombat. The Krypt could pair well with a potential new Invasions or Konquest-type MK mode if it returns to its more stripped-down roots. Serving as the shop exclusively, it could make room for another adventure-type mode to stand on its own. Alternatively, the MK11 approach could be taken a step further and the new Krypt could be a longer journey. Whatever the next Mortal Kombat has in store, a new Krypt is hopefully on the table.
Mortal Kombat 1
- Released
- September 19, 2023
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.
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- NetherRealm Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Brothers Games
- Franchise
- Mortal Kombat
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
- How Long To Beat
- 7 Hours
- Metascore
- 84
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
