Summary
The concept of a multiverse has been around for decades in the realm of entertainment, with superhero comics being some of the first forms of media to really embrace the premise. But thanks to high-profile releases likeSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,Everything Everywhere All at Once,Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, andThe Flash, multiverses have been thrust into the mainstream consciousness, and that’s not even including the realm of video games, where titles likeMortal Kombat 1have recently embraced the multiverse premise.
Before release, NetherRealm made it clear thatMortal Kombat 1’s story would revolve around Fire God Liu Kang’s new universe, with the long-term franchise protagonist having restarted the universe at the end ofMortal Kombat 11’s Aftermath DLC. However, though the concept of an alternate universe had been established, many fans weren’t expectingMortal Kombat 1to dive into the multiverse just as much as it did in its final story chapters. Now fully embracing the multiverse,Mortal Kombat 1’s evolving story is continuing to bring alternate versions of beloved series characters to the game, and there’s already a clear final destination for the series in fans' minds: anInjusticecrossover.
Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe Is a Premise Worth Revisiting
Released in November 2008,Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universewas the final entry in the franchise before NetherRealm’s reboot in 2011, and as that implies, the game had no shortage of flaws. Though it received a decent critical reception, with a Metacritic score of 76 on PS3,Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universemade a few decisions that divided fans, including removing much ofMortal Kombat’s patented gore and dismemberment, delivering an ambitious, yet half-baked and bizarre storyline, and featuring some rough-around-the-edges fighting mechanics.
Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universewas technically developed by Midway Games, which filed for bankruptcy soon after its release. However, Warner Bros. acquired much of Midway, including the development team behind theMortal Kombatseries, rebranding the studio as NetherRealm.
ButMortal Kombat Vs. DC Universewasn’t all bad. Though the integration of both universes left a lot to be desired, the characters and general vibes of each franchise actually meshed together quite well, and in its better moments,Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universeshines as a fun, tongue-in-cheek adventure that feels as though it’s been ripped right off the pages of a comic book.
NetherRealm Is Ready to Tackle a Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe Game
NetherRealm has come very far in the last decade. After making a sizable initial impact with the return to form that wasMortal Kombat2011, NetherRealm refused to rest on its laurels, and instead continued to evolve and improve with each new entry, eventually producingMortal Kombat 1. Though some fans would disagree,Mortal Kombat 1is arguably NetherRealm’s best workyet, at least in terms of its fighting mechanics and impressive presentation. A lot has changed sinceMortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe’s release in 2008, and as such, it might be time to revisit that premise.
With twoInjusticegames under its belt, and multipleDC guest characters now inMortal Kombat, it feels safe to say that NetherRealm knows what it’s doing with the DC universe, far more than it did back in 2008. Similarly, it knows a lot more about meshing together different universes in a much more natural and compelling way. With all this experience at hand, and theMortal Kombatuniverse now in a place where a multiversal crossover with DC makes perfect sense and feels natural, NetherRealm could make a genuinely excellentMortal Kombat Vs. DC Universegame. It could even start soon with a brief crossover at the end ofMortal Kombat 1’s life, as the game’s final season could revolve around a DC multiverse invasion.
Mortal Kombat 1
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.
