Mortal Kombat 1 Reviews

Mortal Kombat 1 is ranked in the 93rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
70 / 100
Sep 21, 2023

There's the skeleton of a good Mortal Kombat here, but it's lacking in meat. Low on personality and half-baked in its attempt to reboot the story, it feels fated to be remembered as the least interesting of the modern MK games.

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3 / 5
Sep 21, 2023

Mortal Kombat 1 envisions an exciting future with fluid combat, a fantastic story mode, and superb visuals - but receding features, underbaked mechanics, and a dated online experience keep it in the past.

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8 / 10
Sep 20, 2023

Great mechanics and a wild story make a solid first impression, but a shallow selection of modes keeps MK1 from a flawless victory.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 21, 2023

Even though Mortal Kombat 1 is no Flawless Victory, it still feels like a step forward for the franchise. The core gameplay is the best it’s ever been, which I think is the most important thing for the genre.

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Dave Irwin
Top Critic
8 / 10
Sep 21, 2023

Mortal Kombat 1 offers smart changes to the series' gameplay, an entertaining story that still threatens to baffle newcomers and veterans alike, an online mode that works well on PC, and tons of gore. While the seasonal Invasions mode is a fascinating idea, it's unclear whether it'll be enough to retain long-term interest. However, this is still a fantastic, horribly gruesome Mortal Kombat game that's well worth your time.

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Atomix
Top Critic
90 / 100
Sep 21, 2023

If you were eagerly awaiting the new installment of the franchise, we tell you in advance that you are going to enjoy it, especially if you are a fan of fighting games. Also, if you want to enter this interesting genre, I think it is a gateway that will make you feel welcome to the most brutal combats.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Jake Su
Top Critic
4 / 5.0
Sep 20, 2023

Whether you are a seasoned combatant or a new one stepping into the arena for the first time, Mortal Kombat 1 has something for you. The Kameo system has revitalized the trusted formula, which has improved with the many welcomed changes made by the team, everything looks great in motion, and the story mode is more engaging than ever before. Invasions might not be for everybody, and online play could do with some work, but there is nothing too major holding this game back from shining brightly. A new era of Mortal Kombat has arrived, and things are looking smashingly good.

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90%
Sep 20, 2023

Outdoing previous Mortal Kombats in the gore stakes, and boasting a slew of meaningful and genuinely exciting single-player content, alongside the usual online offerings, Mortal Kombat 1 outstrips previous efforts, delivering one of the finest fighting games money can buy.

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3.5 / 5.0
Sep 20, 2023

Unmatched cinematic story mode and core fighting gameplay mechanics marred by baffling content and feature exclusions.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 21, 2023

Mortal Kombat 1 is a great example that you can take a step back for good. The reboot of the franchise takes the opportunity to introduce new features that improve the gaming experience and takes risks with a new element that integrates well into the classic formula. The feeling of freedom when doing aerial combos is expanded thanks to the kameo fighter, which adds a multifunction variable in each fight. It is clear that this new installment neglected some sections, but put a lot of effort into offering solid control. A sacrifice that left a mark but had good results.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

90 / 100
Sep 22, 2023

Mortal Kombat 1 is the second soft reboot of the saga, allowing both newcomers and veterans to enjoy what is surely the best installment in many aspects so far. The small adjustments to the gameplay increase the balance of the combats and the addition of kameos is an interesting novelty. If you are new, this is an ideal time to get on the bandwagon, and if you are a fan of the saga, you cannot miss this installment.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Worth your time
Sep 21, 2023

The bottom line about Mortal Kombat 1 is that it has a flowing story that's enjoyable in its own cinematic way. The spectacle takes off thanks to an incredible and flawless technical field, with graphics that are a joy to behold, but also a robust, tried and tested and updated gameplay. It breaks down in the "what to do after the story" section, Because if you're not competitive and experienced enough for the online part, it's hard to keep you going for long. There is always of course the traditional couch co-op where with friends fun is guaranteed. Mortal Kombat 1 may be the second reboot in the series, but it manages to renew rather than reinvent itself, without risking losing its bloody, super violent and fun fighting nature!

Review in Greek | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Sep 21, 2023

Mortal Kombat 1 looks incredible, has several fun play types depending on what you want to do, constantly rewards you for the time you spend on it, and offers so much customization to the combat through the Kameo system.

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7 / 10.0
Sep 21, 2023

Unfortunately, Mortal Kombat 1 is not the reboot the brand deserves, but it is a pretty enjoyable next installment in the series. If you've played the MK series for the past 10 years, then this installment will probably appeal to you, if you haven't already become tired of the formula. The ending of MK1, however, gives me a positive outlook for the future, if this direction will be continued.

Review in Polish | Read full review

Unscored
Sep 21, 2023

NetherRealms Studios can be proud to present its most fun and entertaining Mortal Kombat yet. Mortal Kombat 1 is a breath of fresh air for older players as well as an opportunity for newer players to get hooked on the franchise. A game that will provide us with many hours of fun, almost infinite thanks to its seasonal invasion system, and of which we will invest a lot to complete the towers mode in order to obtain the personalized endings for each character and meet the challenges of the mode. training (combos, perfect blocks, etc.). For the first time in the franchise, we will also have a pretty good online mode with which to face and literally "bust heads" with fighters from all over the globe, without a doubt the perfect final icing on the cake for a very good fighting game that features also with spectacular graphics and impeccable artistic direction. A totally recommended game for any player who loves fighting games.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Sep 20, 2023

Mortal Kombat 1's New Era might be a bit too familiar, but the core gameplay and range of modes on offer here is undeniable.

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8 / 10
Sep 13, 2023

So far, the Kameo system and smart changes to the fighting make MK1 feel fresh and exciting, the story mode is predictably great, even if Invasions seems like more of a grind than I'm willing to put myself through to unlock the best cosmetic items.

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Sep 19, 2023

Mortal Kombat 1 is a superbly presented fighting game with something to offer players of all experience and familiarity with NetherRealm's sprawling MK universe. The Kameo fighter system injects new strategic depth into combat, the rebooted timeline feeds a ridiculous story, and the suite of game modes are both varied and well made.

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Metro GameCentral
GameCentral
Top Critic
8 / 10
Sep 15, 2023

The story campaign and, arguably, the fighting are the best they've ever been for Mortal Kombat, although there's currently a lack of other modes and Invasion is a disappointment.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 15, 2023

When the first Mortal Kombat debuted more than 30 years ago, the series quickly became known for its trademark blood, gore, and violence. While that is still at the forefront thanks to Mortal Kombat 1’s Fatal Blows, Brutalities, and, of course, Fatalities, the longer the series has gone on, the longer it has rightfully become just as known for its genre-leading approach to single-player content and incredibly tight fighting mechanics. In making strides in both areas, Mortal Kombat 1 moves the series forward to continue what has already been a terrific year for the genre.

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