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, spawned from the many events of Mortal Kombat 11 as well as Raiden's actions to warn his past self about Shao Kahn's actions in Armageddon in the main timeline. However, as this new reality forms, outside forces from beyond the realms and beyond the Elder Gods work in the shadows; one for good, another for the sake of evil,

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. Now, invited from all over the world and beyond, these warriors coming to Shang Tsung's island may not know what it is going on with the tournament deep down. But those who do know know one thing; Outworld must NOT win the tenth tournament. They must not win... Mortal Kombat.

Gameplay Options
• Story Mode - Play through the story of Earthrealm's last hope to save itself from the hordes of Outworld and its evil emperor Shao Kahn. Play as multiple characters and see the fate of the universe be fought in Mortal Kombat!

• Arcade Mode - Choose a character, Choose Your Destiny by selecting a tower with a different number of opponents and fitting difficulty, plus the bosses Goro and Shang Tsung, aiming to win and 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, studying how to better your game.

• Web of Reality - A nexus for the multiverse of Mortal Kombat. In this mode, you can take on many challenges from Endurance Mode, Test Your Might, Test Your Luck, various challenges set up over periods of time from days to weeks or even through the month, as well as taking on the Challenge Tower, where you face numerous challenges on your way to big prizes!

• MK Online - Hop online via Xbox Live or PlayStation Network and prepare yourself for Mortal Kombat! You can access straightforward Versus Mode, Team Battle, King of the Hill, and more to be able to face players across the world and prove yourself to be a champion of Mortal Kombat!

• The Krypt - The tomb of fallen warriors, where many secrets lie among the dead deep within Shang Tsung's island... Spend your Koins you earn to open tombs and coffins to get items and secrets while exploring the island.

• The Sanctuary - Located outside of normal space-time, this sanctuary is home of the beings observing the rise of this new universe. Look at character models, endings, Story Mode cut scenes, artwork, and other secrets, all which can be unlocked from the Krypt and the various gameplay modes.

• Options - Adjust gameplay options.

Gameplay
Mortal Kombat Reborn: The Journey Begins plays much like other Mortal Kombat games, with two characters battling one another in rounds set up to 3 by default, 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, and Mortal Kombat 11, as well as the Injustice franchise, 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, a Kombat Skill, and an Aggressor Mode to use in battle as well as to turn the tide, allowing diversity and strategy to be used when you pick your character of choice. It plays more along the lines of an older MK game than it would Mortal Kombat X or Mortal Kombat 11.

Each character has 3 meters in addition to a Life Meter in battle. There is the Stamina Meter, which works to use things such as running, your Breaker, as well as interactions in stages and a new function, your Kombat Skill, specific for each character. The Stamina Meter handles how much is used with said action, to where it can take a minimum of 25% or even the full meter. Over time, the Stamina Meter will refill.

Next is the Super Meter, which is used to perform Enhanced Special Moves, which come off like Killer Instinct (2013) 's Shadow Moves or Street Fighter 5 's EX moves, but have some similarities to the Enhanced Special Moves from past Mortal Kombat games or Meter Burn moves in the Injustice games, but also are about strategies. Super Meters have 3 levels to allow for 3 Enhanced Special Moves, and will fill as you attack or are attacked.

Lastly, there is the Aggressor Meter, which allows your character to awaken their Aggressor Skill, which works akin to Street Fighter 5 's V-Triggers or Killer Instinct (2013) 's Instinct Mode, and allowing characters to gain special perks until their Aggressor Meter runs out. To fill the Aggressor Meter, you need to use your character's Kombat Skill.

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 Trigger

Interact - R1 or Right Bumper near interaction item

Run - R2 or Right Trigger (uses Stamina Meter over time)

Dash - F, F

Back Dash - B, B

Kombat Skill - BL + T (uses 20% of Stamina Meter, increases Aggressor Meter by 20%)

Aggressor Skill - I + R when Aggressor Meter is full

Breaker - F + BL during opponent's combo (uses 25% of Super Meter and 25% of Stamina Meter)

Interaction Breaker - F + BL + I during opponent's combo near interaction item (uses 50% of Super Meter and 50% of Stamina Meter)

Glossary
F - Forward

B - Back

D - Down

U - Up

P1 - Punch 1

K1 - Kick 1

P2 - Punch 2

K2 - Kick 2

BL - Block Button

R - Run Button

T - Throw Button

I - Interact Button

[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 has 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).

[FAT] Fatality - A finishing move to end your opponent's life after the announcer cries "Finish Him!" or "Finish Her!" once the opponent's life meter is drained to empty.

[BRU] Brutality - A finishing move done by using a specific move to finish your opponent when the specific attack would be enough to kill your opponent rather than taking them to "Finish Him!" or "Finish Her!", though Brutalities can be done during "Finish Him!" or "Finish Her!".

Liu Kang
Information

Age: 24

Height: 5' 10"

Weight: 185 lbs.

Hair color: Black

Eye color: Brown

Family: Lee Kang (father, deceased), Lin Kang (mother, deceased), Chow Kang (younger brother, deceased), Wu Kang (grandfather), Kung Lao (cousin), Kung Jin (cousin)

Birthplace: Honan Province, China

Legal status: Citizen of the People's Republic of China, citizen of the United States of America

Biography

Born and raised in the Order of Light, a sect of monks of all walks of life, Liu Kang grew up knowing the stories of Mortal Kombat, and how the tournament had been corrupted since by the machinations of the sorcerer, Shang Tsung. So he was trained under the best fighters the Order of Light had to offer, in their hopes when the time came, he would prove to be a worthy warrior to stand against the evils of Outworld. When he was 19, Liu had left to the United States, trying to balance out his training with something of normalcy, leaving his younger brother Chow to continue in his stead. 5 years later, Liu returned home when he learned Chow was killed by someone who would participate in Mortal Kombat. Knowing he couldn't stand by and do nothing, he asked his grandfather to participate. Once he proved his worth to other elders of the Order of Light, Liu set out for Shang Tsung's island, wishing to seek justice for Chow's death.

Basic Moves

Combos

Special Moves & Enhanced Moves

High Dragon Fire: D, F + P1 - A fireball hurled from Liu Kang's hand, with the tip taking the shape of a dragon's head.


 * Solar Flare [ENH]: D, F + P1 + BL - Channeling light energy into his hand, Liu fires it out using both hands with the blast doing some burn damage as well as a temporary stun.

Low Dragon Fire: D, B + P1 - A low version of Liu Kang's Dragon Fire which hits at the knees, and must be blocked low.


 * Fire Wave [ENH]: D, B + P1 + BL - The enhanced Low Dragon Fire creates a massive wave of fire that travels along the ground and adds some burn damage over time.

Flying Dragon Kick: B, F + K1 - Liu Kang flies forward at his opponent, his leg extended with the kick hitting the opponent hard in the chest and knocking them onto their back.


 * Double Dragon Kick [ENH]: B, F + K1 + BL - Rather than just doing one kick, Liu follows up the first Flying Dragon Kick with a second kick to knock the opponent further back from him.

Bicycle Kick: B, F + K2 - Like the Flying Dragon Kick, Liu Kang flies forward at the opponent, wheeling both of his legs to rapidly kick the opponent in the face.


 * Bicycle Flurry [ENH]: B, F + K2 + BL - A faster Bicycle Kick that hits more times, concluding with a flip kick to stomp on the opponent's head.

Air Dragon Fire: D, F + P1 [In Air] - An airborne version of Dragon Fire done while Liu is jumping.


 * Dragon Bomb [ENH]: D, F + P1 + BL [In Air] - A bigger Air Dragon Fire shaped into a massive sphere which explodes on impact with the opponent, burning them for a short time.

Dragon's Roar: D, B + P2 - Liu Kang delivers a powerful spinning back hand punch knocking the opponent away.


 * Dragon's Wrath [ENH]: D, B + P2 + BL -This enhanced Dragon's Roar provides Liu with two hits of armor and knocks the opponent away further, potentially doing a wall bounce.

Windmill Punch: D, F + P2 - Liu Kang delivers a series of quick punches to his opponent at the height of their chest.


 * Windmill Flurry [ENH]: D, F + P2 + BL - A faster Windmill Punch that delivers more blows, Liu Kang ends this variation with a Dragon's Roar to knock the opponent away.

Fire Kick: D, F + K1 - A rising kick with fire at the end aimed for the chin and jaw, this move allows Liu Kang to get a small pop-up on his opponent to set up juggles.


 * Blaze Kick [ENH]: D, F + K1 + BL - A more powerful Fire Kick with a longer trail of fire around Liu's leg that also provides a longer pop-up for an even bigger juggle opportunity.

Dragon Cannon: D, F + K2 - Liu Kang steps forward with a powerful thrust kick aimed at his opponent's chest, which sends the opponent flying back.

Kombat Skill & Aggressor Skill
 * Dragon Bazooka [ENH]: D, F + K2 + BL - This version of Dragon Cannon provides two hits of armor and knocks the opponent away further, and like Dragon's Wrath, can set up a wall bounce if timed right.

Parry [KS]: BL + T or DF + BL + T - Liu Kang strikes a stance to parry to block all normal attacks and some special moves. Normally pressing Block and Throw allows a parry for high and mid attacks, while Down-Forward + Block + Throw performs a parry that blocks low attacks. Liu Kang can follow up Parry after he successfully blocks an attack with four follow-ups. P1 performs Dragon Claw, a powerful uppercut, P2 performs Dragon's Roar, K1 performs Fire Kick, and K2 performs Dragon Stomp, a flipping stomp on the opponent's chest.

Dragon's Fire [AG]: I + R - Slowly using his Aggressor Meter, Liu Kang ignites flames around his body, which increases the damage of his punches and kicks as well as adding new properties to special moves and enhanced moves as well, such as High Dragon Fire, Solar Flare, Low Dragon Fire, and Fire Wave inflicting additional burn damage and having larger hit boxes, Flying Dragon Kick getting a fire effect to do more damage and a slight burn on top of it.

Fatalities & Brutalities

Flipping Uppercut [FAT]: F, D, D, F, K1 [Sweep] - Liu Kang pulls himself into position, doing a butterfly flip kick at the opponent, the kicks connecting to his opponent's face and the top of their head, with Liu following up with a flaming uppercut, the impact hitting their jaw and breaking it and their neck as it send the opponent up into the air, then down to the ground, their body dead and motionless from the breaking of the neck and jaw from the uppercut.

Burn Out [FAT]: D, B, D, F, P1 [Close] - Liu Kang delivers a barrage of punches to the opponent's torso, followed by four more, each one leaving a burning hole in the torso. Liu Kang charges fire into his fist and delivers a one inch punch with enough power to destroy the entire torso.

Splitter [FAT]: B, F, D, U [Close] - Liu Kang performs a backflip kick, launching his opponent in the air. He proceeds by concentrating fire on his feet and leaping into the air. He then lands onto his airborne opponent, impaling them with both his legs. Finally, he splits his legs, tearing the opponent's upper and lower body apart. Blood and flesh start to rain as Liu Kang lands and wipes his boot.

Giant Stomp [FAT]: B, B, B, U, K2 [Sweep] - Liu Kang kicks the opponent in the gut, sending them back and on the floor. He then jumps and impales the opponent in the gut with his feet, twisting his legs to make the lower half of the opponent snap in half.

Stage Fatality [FAT]: D, F, B, K1

Hot Head [BRU]: Do Air Dragon Fire. - Liu Kang jumps and fires a fireball at the opponent's head, turning it into flaming bones.

Dragon's Den [BRU]: Do Dragon's Roar or Dragon's Wrath. - Liu Kang rushes at his opponent and performs a Dragon's Roar or Dragon's Wrath at the opponent, blasting their torso off.

Kounter Top [BRU]: Do Dragon Stomp after a successful Parry. - Liu Kang parries his opponent and knocks them down, forwarding with three powerful stomps on their chest; the last one leaving a gaping hole in their body and popping their head off.

Tread Lightly [BRU]: Do Bicycle Flurry. - Liu Kang performs Bicycle Flurry and then stomps them on the head, crushing it and sending blood and skull fragments flying.

Hot Mess [BRU]: Do Solar Flare. - Liu Kang throws a large fireball that burns a gaping, charred hole through their abdomen.

Deep Fried [BRU]: Do Low Dragon Fire or Fire Wave. - Liu Kang throws his Low Fireball or Fire Wave, at the opponent, but it completely burns off the skin of their legs and lower torso.

Explosive Heat [BRU]: Do Dragon Bomb. - Liu Kang throws his Dragon Bomb at the opponent, with the explosion burning off much flesh and muscle to where the opponent is in such shock, they fall over dead.

Arenas
• Goro's Lair [Stage Fatality] - Set underground below Shang Tsung's island, Goro's Lair has a throne that the prince of the Shokan sits upon when not in kombat, as well as cages with roaring Oni sticking their hands out of the cages as well as their eyes glowing through the darkness of their cells. The Stage Fatality involves the player uppercutting their opponent up into the ceiling, getting jabbed onto some spikes waiting for them.

• Palace Courtyard [Test Your Might transition] Located outside of Shang Tsung's Palace, the gorgeous courtyard leads up to the doors of Shang Tsung's Palace with a stage transition involving the player running their opponent through the door with both players having to mash the buttons to increase the damage done or reduce the damage taken before they crash into the entrance leading to the Throne Room.

• The Throne Room - The opulent throne room of Shang Tsung's palace, with a lot of paintings, candles, and fancy furniture going for it. You also will see Shang Tsung sitting on his throne in the center of the arena, watching the battle unfold.

• The Pit [Stage Fatality] - A concrete bridge hovering over pillars covered with spikes and the vast moon in the background as well as the stars flickering in the night sky. The Stage Fatality has the player uppercut their opponent off the bridge, sending them to their death on the spikes below.

• Bottom of the Pit [Test Your Might] - Below the Pit lies a massive river of blood and the bodies of past victims of the Pit, along with the spiked pillars connecting the massive concrete bridge high above. It is a two-tiered level with players being able to head down another grotto to continue the fight when knocked off the edge on the right, leading to a free-fall version of Test Your Might, and the next level being a grounded area with a pool of blood mimicking the base of a waterfall.

• Warrior's Shrine [Stage Fatality] - A shrine featuring stone statues of the various Mortal Kombat warriors, showcased at night. For the Stage Fatality, the player grabs their opponent and throws them into one of the statues, jarring it loose so that it comes down and crushes their victim.

• Dark Prison [Stage Fatality] - A prison under Shang Tsung's island that has a lot of cells in it. The Stage Fatality here has you kick your opponent into a torture chamber with two spiked walls, as the spiked walls come in and crush them to death.

• The Nethership - The ship Shang Tsung uses to bring kombatants from around the world to his island to participate in Mortal Kombat. This is a multi-tiered stage, where both players can drop to the bottom deck of the ship, before being able to crash back up to the top deck.

• Wu-Shi Academy [Test Your Might transition] - Home to Liu Kang and Kung Lao for many years, the Wu-Shi Academy has many people in the background along with a statue of the Great Kung Lao. It has a transition leading to "Test Your Might" where you tackle your opponent through one of the walls leading into another part of the Academy.

• Reptile's Lair [Stage Fatality] - A lair hidden in a cave of one of the many tunnels of Shang Tsung's island, where the Saurian Syzoth, more commonly known as Reptile, lies in wait to execute Shang Tsung's enemies for Shao Kahn. Scales cover the walls along with reptilian eyes and pools of acid. The Stage Fatality has your character grab the opponent and drag them into the acid pits as it melts away their flesh to reveal bare bones.

• Beach - A beach set along the shoreline of Shang Tsung's island, you can see the Nethership in the background, as well as a setting sun with blood-soaked sand along the beach, as well as water gently washing to the shoreline.

• Hell [Stage Fatality] - Set in the depths of Hell itself, the background has skull pillars, there is smoke and a hell beast in the background, the skulls glow with sparks and lava and there are lit skulls on the ground. There are hands coming out of the small pits of lava. The Stage Fatality here has the player grab the opponent and dunk their head into the lava, burning their skin and eyes off to nothing but the skull, before slamming them back into the lava to end them.

• Shang Tsung's Garden - A beautiful garden designed with elements of Outworld set along a river, with a view of the Pit and Shang Tsung's palace in the distance. It comes with three variants; a daytime version, a dusk setting, and finally, among the bright moon in the night.

• The Vault - Shang Tsung's treasure vault, filled with a great deal of gold, jewelry, and other treasures acquired over the sorcerer's long centuries of existence.

• Black Dragon Fight Klub - A club owned by the Black Dragon organization set somewhere in Europe, with a steel cage separating the fighters from the patrons of the club. The cage has many weapons and things to use for interactions, such as a chainsaw and a wall to slam your opponent into. If he is not selected here, Kano will be shown watching the fight in the background.

• Warehouse [Test Your Might transition] - Set in a warehouse that the Black Dragon use to store weapons and other contraband they acquire on the black market near the harbors of Hong Kong, with many grunts of the Black Dragon pulling out guns and the like to examine in the background.

• Well of Souls [Test Your Might transition] - Set in the mythical House of Pekara, located on Earth between Asia and Europe which resembles a gothic church, this is the place where Kenshi Takahashi was left to die thanks to the machinations of Shang Tsung, seeking to steal the souls of Kenshi's ancestors. The Test Your Might transition here has the player slam through a broken wall, crashing towards the titular Well of Souls from the throne room itself.

• Dining Hall [Test Your Might transition] - Located in Shang Tsung's palace, the opulent dining hall has many patrons in the back, along with servants feeding the warriors before they are sent to their death in kombat. The tables can be used as interact items to leap about, plus you can grab onto the chandelier and throw it down. A Test Your Might transition can occur with both characters smashing through into the kitchen area, and it can loop back around to the Dining Hall itself as well.

Voice Cast
Liu Kang:

Johnny Cage:

Sonya Blade:

Raiden:

Kano:

Scorpion (Hanzo Hasashi):

Sub-Zero (Bi-Han):

Reptile (Syzoth):

Goro:

Shang Tsung: