Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Review – Action Triumphs, Story Falters

Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Review

Mortal Kombat 1 marked the dawn of a new era for the franchise, not only by establishing a fresh timeline but also by introducing gameplay features to create a truly exhilarating fighter. With the release of Khaos Reigns, the game takes a bold step forward, offering a brand-new cinematic campaign and six additional fighters. Coupled with updates to enhance the base game, could this expansion be the most impactful in the series’ storied history?

Following a hard-fought battle, Havik enters the timeline and observes the massacre, continuing from the after-credits scene in the original campaign. With the sole focus on causing chaos in the realm, he and his team unleash a savage tirade on those who inhabit the world. To protect the timeline, Lui Kang forms allegiances with friends and foes to battle a larger threat. While his design is sublime, Havik’s motives are shallow and lack the complexity of a villain of his magnitude. Due to this, the overarching narrative doesn’t quite live up to the quality that resides throughout the original.

Anarchy Reigns

Similar to NetherRealm’s previous entries, chapters follow different characters. This is where smaller tales dwell and personalities grow. Ed Boon has done an incredible job at fleshing out the characters within the world and this continues in Khaos Reigns. From the very beginning, we are introduced to a new, female version of Cyrax through a wonderfully constructed scene that sees her chased through the woods. The sweeping camera angles highlight the Hollywood influence on the cutscenes which help make each moment feel like it could be on the silver screen. While faithful to her master’s teachings, she begins to question his intentions as he aims to harm anyone who steps in his way. Each emotion is accentuated through the stunning performances and facial animations which increases engagement with the narrative.

In addition to the campaign, you’ll also get Kombat Pack 2. This sees the return of fan favorites Cyrax, Sektor, and Noob Saibot. Cyrax can use a range of devices to get an advantage on the battlefield. With bombs and net projectiles, you can set up sequences and perform extended combos to clinch victory. Fans of zoning will excel with the character due to the number of offensive outputs available in her arsenal. Although similar in design, Sektor is much more aggressive and is perfect for a rushdown playstyle. With homing missiles and teleportation, you can pile on the pressure to overwhelm your opponent.

Get Over Here!

Noob Saibot is my personal favorite and a huge addition to the roster. With his Shadow Clone abilities, he is a versatile character that can adapt to any situation you encounter. You can control space with projectiles, close gaps with his teleportation, and deliver significant damage with multiple combos. With some of the greatest and most grotesque fatalities, he is a fantastic addition who brings both strategic depth and brutal execution to any matchup.

Although not available yet, you will also get access to three guest characters each of which looks incredible. The savagery of Conan the Barbarian and the iconic horror status of Ghostface make them a perfect fit. The T-1000 is another great addition, however, I would have loved to have seen the T-800 return from MK11 to live out the legendary battle from Terminator 2.

Return of Klassic Features

As part of the update, free content for all players is also available. Animalities make a return that sees your choice of Kombatant transform into a creature and annihilate your opponent in horrific yet hilarious ways. Also, the fan-favorite mode, Towers of Time, is now available. This includes rotational challenges and in-game events with an array of rewards. The inclusion of these fleshes out the game and helps to elevate the experience.

Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns introduces three well-rounded veterans that add even more variety and depth to an already robust roster. The guest characters inject personality into the game, offering you the opportunity to create memorable encounters with iconic figures from video games, film, comics, and television. While the campaign delivers incredible sequences packed with cinematic flair, it falls short in narrative depth. Nonetheless, the game’s engaging combat mechanics, diverse character lineup, and stylish sequences ensure that long-time fans of the franchise will still have plenty to enjoy.

***A PS5 code was provided by the publisher***