One to Play: Mortal Kombat 1

PUBLISHER WARNER BROS. GAMES
DEVELOPER NETHERREALM STUDIOS
PLATFORMS XBOX SERIES X/S, PS5, SWITCH, PC
RELEASE DATE 09.19.2023

It’s important to know when to ask for help. Which seems to be the lesson the good people of NetherRealm Studios are trying to impart with the newest installment of this bloody good fighting game series. Not only will Mortal Kombat 1 boast an all-new story mode in a rebooted universe, but when playing solo or against others, you’ll be able to ask a fellow kombatant to help you out mid-brawl as a Kameo Fighter. When fighting Johnny Cage as Liu Kang, for instance, you can have Sub-Zero jump into the fray, and hit Johnny with a cool blast. Kameo attacks are also contextual, and can be deployed twice in rapid succession, even within the same combo, provided you have enough juice in the Kameo meter. Just be careful, as Kameo Fighters are people, too, and can be injured, though they can also take the brunt of an attack meant for you.