Mortal Kombat Reborn: The Journey Begins

Mortal Kombat Reborn: The Journey Begins, the first part of a new series of Mortal Kombat "spin-off" titles, focuses on a new universe in the Mortal Kombat multiverse, which was spawned at the time that Raiden sent his message to his past self, but this also caused a paradox to create many new universes in the timestream. This made the guardian of Time, Chronos, worry, since he had thought it might have other unforeseen consequences, yet he chose to observe one of these new timelines, to see how it would stabilize, and to also see how events could be different than in other timelines...

Story
Mortal Kombat. A tournament that has existed for centuries as a means to help not only protect realms from unnecessary invasion, but to symbolize life, as normal men and women clash for what they believe in. However, 500 years ago, the sorcerer Shang Tsung took control of the tournament once again when he had killed his nemesis, the Great Kung Lao, who had defeated him 50 years prior. With Prince Goro of the Shokan as his main warrior, Shang secured 9 victories for his now home realm of Outworld. This next tournament would be the tenth victory Outworld would need to be able to come through the Furies and take Earthrealm for its emperor, Shao Kahn. However, Raiden, the Japanese God of Thunder, Earthrealm's designated protector, as well as the younger brother of Shao Kahn, has been choosing warriors to combat his brother's advances on Earthrealm. All he knows is that Outworld must not win the tenth tournament. They must not win... Mortal Kombat. This new timeline, born from Raiden's decision to warn himself and to alter the events of Armageddon at Shao Kahn's hands, has many unforeseen potentials and variants to explore. That is what Chronos, the guardian of Time, wishes to see. He is aware of all time's potential possibilities, all the twists and turns that the so-called "parade" can and could take.

Gameplay Options
• Story Mode - Play through the story of Earthrealm's last hope to save itself from the hordes of Outworld!

• Arcade Mode - Choose a character, fight through 14 characters plus Goro and Shang Tsung to unlock your character's ending.

• Versus Mode - Take it to your opponents in some local PVP action!

• Training Mode - Enter training, learning combos, special moves and even Fatalities.

• Tutorial - Learn the basics of the game

• Challenge Tower - Climb up the Challenge Tower, unlocking secrets as well as Koins!

• Oni Chambers - Scale down the depths of Shang Tsung's island, taking on challenge and unlock more secrets as well as earning Koins!

• Multiversal Chamber - Enter Chronos' chamber, battling online via XBOX Live or PlayStation Network!

• The Krypt - The tomb of fallen warriors, where many secrets lie among the dead... Spend your Koins you earn to open tombs and coffins to get items and secrets.

• Hall of Time - Look at character models, movies, cutscenes, artwork, and other secrets.

• Options - Adjust gameplay options.

Gameplay
Mortal Kombat Reborn: The Journey Begins plays much like other Mortal Kombat games, with two characters battling one another, until one is defeated, before the winner can execute a Fatality or win the battle normally. The game takes elements from Mortal Kombat 9, Mortal Kombat X, as well as Injustice: Gods Among Us, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and Killer Instinct (XBOX One) as well. Each character has their own unique fighting style with special moves, Fatalities, Brutalities, and an Aggressor Mode to use in battle as well as to turn the tide. Each character in the game fights with a unique style, making each of their moves different and allowing diversity. It plays more along the lines of an older MK game than it would Mortal Kombat X.

Controls
Punch 1 - Square or X

Punch 2 - Triangle or Y

Kick 1 - X or A

Kick 2 - Circle or B

Block - L1 or Left Bumper

Throw - L2 or Left Trigge

Interact - R1 or Right Bumper

Run - R2 or Right Trigger

Dash - F, F

Back Dash - B, B

Kombat Skill - P1 + K1

Aggressor Mode - P2 + K2 when Aggressor Meter is full

Breaker - F + BLK during opponent's combo, with 2 or more levels of Super Meter

Enhanced Special Move - Special Move Motion + BLK, with 1 or more levels of Super Meter

Glossary
F - Forward

B - Back

D - Down

U - Up

DF - Down-Forward

DB - Down-Back

UF - Up-Forward

UB - Up-Back

P1 - Punch 1

P2 - Punch 2

K1 - Kick 1

K2 - Kick 2

BLK - Block

THR - Throw

RUN - Run Button

QCF - Quarter-Circle Forward

QCB - Quarter-Circle Back

HCF - Half-Circle Forward

HCB - Half-Circle Back

[While Running] - Performed while running

[In Air] - Performed while jumping

[Air OK] - Can be performed while jumping

[Sweep] - Performed at sweep range

[Close] - Performed at close range

[Far] - Performed at long range

[Mid] - Performed at mid range

[KS] - Kombat Skill - A special ability that helps your character in a certain manner. Similar to the V-Skill in Street Fighter 5.

[AG] - Aggressor Mode - A unique trait awakened when your Aggressor Meter is full and can either run down slowly or use the Meter in one fell swoop. Similar to the V-Trigger in Street Fighter 5 or Instinct Mode in Killer Instinct (2013).

[ENH] Enhanced Move - A special move that is charged up and does more damage and/or new properties are added to the move. Executed only when you have 1 Level or more of Super Meter. Similar to EX Special Moves in Street Fighter 5 or Shadow Moves in Killer Instinct (2013).

[SUP] - Super Move - A special move only available when your Super Meter is full using a double motion plus both Punches or both Kicks that can deal a lot of damage. Similar to the Critical Art in Street Fighter 5, the Super Combo in past Street Fighter games, and the Ultra Combo from Street Fighter 4 and its upgrades.

[FAT] - Fatality - A finishing move executed at the end of the match that kills your opponent effectively, after the announcer declares "FINISH HIM!!" or "FINISH HER!!"

[BRU] - Brutality - A finishing move using an Enhanced Special Move done to bring your opponent to death without entering the Finish Him!! or Finish Her!! phase.

Kombatants
LIU KANG

Raised by Shaolin Monks like his grandfather with his younger brother Chow after their parents died, Liu Kang heard tales of the great tournament, Mortal Kombat, while he stayed in the Temple for the Order of Light, also training with Chow and their cousin Kung Lao. However, as he got older, Liu became disenchanted by the fables as he felt, and left to America on his 18th birthday.

However, fate would bring him back to China after he got word from his grandfather that Chow had been killed by an attacker who seemed to match Shang Tsung, the Mortal Kombat tournament's master. Realizing his failure to protect his younger brother, Liu asked to represent the Order of Light in the tournament, having to face Kung Lao for the honor to do so.

Defeating Kung Lao, Liu set off to enter Mortal Kombat. Though Raiden isn't sure at first of how he may do, due to being motivated by revenge, he feels that there is more to Liu Kang's destiny than meets the eye, and so does Liu's teacher, Master Bo' Rai Cho.

GAMEPLAY STYLE

Liu is an average character who is quite skilled at close, mid, or long range. He can zone his opponents, or close the gap and use some impressive combos to dish out the damage. However, if someone can dodge his projectile game as well as block his more close quarters moves, they can turn this around against him, putting Liu into a difficult spot.

SPECIAL MOVES

High Dragon Fire: Liu Kang fires out a fireball with his hands, with a small dragon head shape at the end of the projectile. D, F + 1 (Simple Command - QCF + 1)

Double Dragon Fire: The enhanced version of High Dragon Fire has Liu Kang fire out one fireball with his left hand, then follow it up with a second fireball from his right. D, F + 1 + BLK (Simple Command - QCF + 1 + BLK) [ENH]

Low Dragon Fire: Crouching, Liu Kang does a fireball similar to his High Dragon Fire. D, F + 2 (Simple Command - QCF + 2)

Dragon Fire Burst: Liu Kang does an alternate Low Dragon Fire which does a flame burst rather than a straightforward fireball. D, F + 2 + BLK (Simple Command - QCF + 2 + BLK) [ENH]

Air Dragon Fire: While in the air, Liu Kang does a Dragon Fire shot from his hand at his opponent. D, F + 1 [In Air] (Simple Command - QCF + 1 [In Air])

Air Double Dragon Fire: Like with the Double Dragon Fire, Liu Kang does two Dragon Fires with his left hand, then right while in the air. D, F + 1 + BLK [In Air] (Simple Command - QCF + 1 + BLK [In Air]) [ENH]

Diagonal Dragon Fire: In the air, Liu Kang does a Dragon Fire aiming diagonally at his opponent. D, F + 2 [In Air] (Simple Command - QCF + 2 [In Air])

Dragon Fire Bomb: Liu Kang does his Diagonal Dragon Fire, which explodes like a bomb on impact. D, F + 2 + BLK [In Air] (Simple Command - QCF + 2 + BLK [In Air]) [ENH]

Flying Dragon Kick: Liu Kang leaps forward, sticking his leg out and kicks his opponent in the chest, sending them flying to their back. B, F + 3 (Simple Command - HCF + 3)

Double Dragon Kick: Liu Kang does his Flying Dragon Kick, but then performs a second kick after the impact of the first kick. B, F + 3 + BLK (Simple Command - HCF + 3 + BLK) [ENH]

Flying Bicycle Kick: Leaping at his opponent, Liu Kang kicks his legs rapidly as if riding a bicycle and hits his opponent in the face rapidly. B, F + 4 (Simple Command - HCF + 4)

Bicycle Flurry: Liu Kang does his Bicycle Kick, hitting the opponent rapidly, then ends with a flip kick to slam them down face-first into the ground. B, F + 4 + BLK (Simple Command - HCF + 4 + BLK) [ENH]

Spinning Backhand: Turning quickly, Liu Kang does a spinning backhand punch, hitting his opponent and sends them flying. D, B + 2 (Simple Command - QCB + 2) [ENH]

Burning Backhand: Doing his Spinning Backhand, Liu Kang's hand is ignited with fire, making it more powerful than normal. D, B + 2 + BLK (Simple Command - QCB + 2 + BLK) [ENH]

Parry: Liu Kang holds his arms out to do a parry, blocking most any attacks save for projectiles. P1 + K1 [KS]

Shaolin Spirit: Liu Kang channels his chi, igniting his hands and feet on fire until his Aggressor Meter runs out, with his special moves and some of his normal moves being enhanced with burning effects. P2 + K2 [AG]

Dragon Inferno: Liu Kang pulls both hands back, channeling his chi and lets out a powerful fireball that is shaped as a dragon that hits his opponent rapidly. D, F, D, F + 1 + 2 (Simple Command - QCF, QCF + 1 + 2) [SUP]

FINISHING MOVES

Hot Mess: With his Double Dragon Fire, Liu Kang blasts his opponent, burning them until they collapse, their skin burnt to the core. D, F + 1 + BLK (Simple Command - QCF + 1 + BLK) [BRU]

Hot Head: With his Air Double Dragon Fire, Liu Kang's first fireball burns his opponent's face, and the second fireball causes their flesh to burn completely off, becoming a skull. D, F + 1 + BLK [In Air] (Simple Command - QCF + 1 + BLK [In Air]) [BRU]

Incineration: Doing his Dragon Fire Burst, Liu Kang's flames burn his opponent into nothing but a skeleton as they fall down. D, F + 2 + BLK (Simple Command - QCF + 2 + BLK) [BRU]

Explosive End: Liu Kang unleashes his Dragon Fire Bomb, and on impact, it ignites, burning his opponent into nothing but a skeleton, which slumps down. D, F + 2 + BLK [In Air] (Simple Command - QCF + 2 + BLK [In Air]) [BRU]

Jawbreaker: Liu Kang does his Double Dragon Kick, the impact of the second kick snapping his opponent's jaw off its hinge as they go flying to the ground. B, F + 3 + BLK (Simple Command - HCF + 3 + BLK) [BRU]

Tread Lightly: Liu Kang performs Bicycle Flurry and then stomps them on the head, crushing it and sending blood and skull fragments flying. B, F + 4 + BLK (Simple Command - HCF + 4 + BLK) [BRU]

Knock Off: With his Burning Backhand, Liu Kang hits his opponent hard enough to blow their torso off from their waist. D, B + 2 + BLK (Simple Command - QCB + 2 + BLK) [BRU]

Ashes to Ashes: Liu Kang does his Dragon Inferno, the blast hitting his opponent so hard it turns them into nothing but ashes. D, F, D, F + 1 + 2 (Simple Command - QCF, QCF + 1 + 2) [BRU]

Dragon's Tail: Liu Kang positions himself, then does a cartwheel kick, hitting his opponent twice, then comes up with an uppercut, sending them flying up into the air until they hit the ground, their neck broken from the uppercut as well as their back from the impact of the uppercut. D, B, F, D [Close] [FAT]

Fist of Flame: Liu Kang bows and charges his hand with fire, then punches his fist through his opponent's chest and pulls it back out, leaving his arm bloodied and the opponent with a gaping wound in their chest as they collapse onto the ground in defeat. B, D, D, F + 1 [Mid] [FAT]

JOHNNY CAGE

Born John Carlton, Johnny Cage had hit it big in Hollywood after he had been spotted by an agent while at a martial arts tournament. Soon, the bug of acting caught up with Johnny, leading him to become a top-paying action movie star, thanks to films like "Ninja Mime", "World's Most Wanted", "Cage Match", and "The Gist of My Fist", where he ended up showing off his unique skills and did his own stunts.

Over time though, unfortunately, people assumed all Johnny did was fake, using Hollywood special effects to make him look better than he was. However, Johnny descends from a line of Mediterranean spiritualists who trained and bred warriors for the gods for Mortal Kombat, which is the extent of Johnny's abilities to manipulate green energy.

After filming a movie, Johnny was met by one of his old teachers, Master Boyd (really Shang Tsung in disguise, having killed the real Master Boyd and absorbed his soul), who told him about Mortal Kombat, and sent him to Hong Kong to find the ship to go to the island and compete. Wanting a shot to prove himself to the world by showing what he does isn't fake, Johnny took some time off and headed off. "Watch out, world! You're gonna see just how real Johnny Cage is!"

GAMEPLAY STYLE

Although Cage has plenty of tools to work with, his specialty is as a beatdown character, getting in close up and hitting the opponent with hard-hitting combos and special moves that also allow him to do some impressive juggle combos. He can also do some solid mix-ups to be able to keep his opponent off-guard, especially if he uses his Aggressor Mode to help him with it.

SPECIAL MOVES

High Forceball: Channeling his inner chi, Johnny throws a fireball which comes up at a high angle that hits his opponent on the head. D, B + 1 (Simple Command - QCB + 1)

Charged Forceball: Like his High Forceball, Johnny throws a fireball, but this one is much larger, hits harder, and moves a good bit faster. D, B + 1 + BLK (Simple Command - QCB + 1 + BLK) [ENH]

Low Forceball: Channeling his chi, Johnny throws an underhand fireball similar to the High Forceball which hits in the chest. D, B + 2 (Simple Command - QCB + 2)

Force Bomb: Like the Low Forceball, Johnny throws a fireball underhanded, but the fireball is more like a bomb, which explodes and can do splash damage if it hits an opponent who blocks it or an opponent's own projectile. D, B + 2 + BLK (Simple Command - QCB + 2 + BLK) [ENH]

Shadow Kick: Johnny slides forward, his leg extended outward while a green aura follows him almost like a shadow. B, F + 4 (Simple Command - HCF + 4)

Eclipse Kick: A more powerful version of the Shadow Kick, with added speed and some armor, as well as a red aura following Johnny as he kicks the enemy rather than a green one. B, F + 4 + BLK (Simple Command - HCF + 4 + BLK) [ENH]

Nut Punch: Johnny does the splits, then delivers a powerful punch to his opponent's genitals, leaving them stunned.

Arenas
• Goro's Lair

• Palace Courtyard

• Palace Gates

• The Throne Room

• The Pit [Stage Fatality]

• Bottom of the Pit

• Warrior's Shrine [Stage Fatality]

• Dark Prison [Stage Fatality]

• The Nethership

• Wu-Shi Academy

• Reptile's Lair [Stage Fatality]

• Beach

• Hell [Stage Fatality]

• Shang Tsung's Garden

• The Vault

• The Dining Hall

Voice Cast
Liu Kang - Johnny Yong Bosch

Johnny Cage - Matthew Mercer

Sonya Blade - Tara Platt

Raiden - Richard Epcar

Kano - Michael McConnohie

Scorpion/Hanzo Hasashi - Patrick Seitz

Sub-Zero/Bi-Han - Liam O'Brien

Reptile/Syzoth - Steven Blum

Princess Kitana - Minae Noji

Kung Lao - Josh Grelle

Kenshi Takahashi - Steve Staley

Jax/Jackson Briggs - Greg Eagles

Kira - Jessica Straus

Tremor - Beau Billingslea

Tasia - Cindy Robinson

No Face - Spike Spencer

Jade - Kimlinh Tran

Skarlet - Erin Fitzgerald

Prince Goro - Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.

Shang Tsung - Kaiji Tang