My Time With Mortal Kombat 1

I've spent quite some time grinding MK1 for the cosmetics. Playing mostly the seasonal Invasion mode, and staying far the hell away from kombat league. I started off with the story which was a mediocre Marvel inspired multiverse segue into an infinite reasoning behind future releases. A lazy effort by MK11's storytelling standards, and a complete bastardization of previous setup plot points. Nothing that was carries over here other than Liu Kang's role as God. 

It is a rewriting of Mortal Kombat lore with the only familiar features being that of the returning kombat kast, and the MK tournament. Something that is given the least attention this go around. Everything is force fed, and half assed in regards to character building and tournament focus. Even gameplay and the new kameo gimmick comes off as a lazy effort.

As a fan of Mortal Kombat, having played it since it's arcade conception, I found myself immediately bothered by the needless kameo gimmick that in all honesty feigns innovation. All it is, is a kombo extender. Nothing more, and nothing less. The real shit kicker is now instead of just charging for new character DLC Ed Boon has decided to double down and charge separately for new kameos as well to make money off of this new gimmick. 

It is this that tells us all we need to know about MK1. It is a game that was made to milk the money of players, first and foremost. In fact the latest kameo Tremor is a pay to win addition. Tremor out performs all other kameos, and compliments all characters to an advantageous degree.

Let us not forget about the seasonal fatalities that were also added to the game's shop for the price of premium currency. That, and skins that are more or less color palette swaps offered for real world money outside of the more creative counterparts. The latter of which is almost completely absent as Invasion seasonal rewards. 

The incentive to grind for the skins, accessories, and alternative colors is not there as the rewards for the effort are not standout by any means. Compared to MK11 the skin economy is completely lacking by comparison. We are drip fed seasonal skins for participation in Invasions only to be offered what amounts to low effort color and pattern alternatives to each characters' base two skins. It is obvious Netherrealm cares more about making money on the quality skins from their paid shop than offering them as an incentive to commit to the grind.

In all regards MK1 is a travesty, and a cash grab undeserving of the MK legacy. Nothing about it earns the respect of series veterans. The added fact that a majority of the Invasion challenges are cheap as hell slap in the face to gamers only serves to show Netherrealm's lack of caring for the audience that got them to where they are. 

Having seen what I've seen and experienced what I have experienced with MK1 I do not see a bright future for the franchise. The fact that movies, and animated films of the same brand are garbage only further serves to show the lack of caring for the legacy of Mortal Kombat. If the developers don't care anymore why should the fans? It's a sin as shallow as the diversity, inclusivity, and equity agendas adopted by all of entertainments' lackeys for that corrupt cash payout.