TheMortal Kombatfranchise is known for its sensationalized violence and extensive cast of characters, but one area they’ve recently specialized in is crossovers. Ever since theMortal Kombatreboot in 2011, the franchise has built a reputation for including iconic characters outside its usual roster as DLC. This started withGod of War’s Kratos andA Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddy Krueger in the aforementioned reboot, and developer NetherRealm Studios has since expanded to include numerous horror staples and ’80s action film heroes among its list of Kombatants.
Among recent news thatMortal Kombat 12is coming in 2023, fan speculation is brewing around what the game’s story will be about. Considering the franchise’s history with crossovers, NetherRealm Studios already has a perfect opportunity to lean into what it has already excelled at. In a series that has embraced alternate realities and time travel, pushing the envelope even further to go all-in on crossovers could really makeMortal Kombat 12’s story stand out. After all, the franchise has never been afraid to do something new and unexpected.
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Mortal Kombat’s Crossover History
Mortal Kombatis no stranger to stories that focus on a crossover, but most fans likely don’t remember those efforts very fondly. The last time the franchise centered a game around a crossover was2008’sMortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, which received its fair share of criticism for having a weak story and tame gameplay byMortal Kombat’s standards. However, NetherRealm Studios has since shown that it’s more than capable of bringing in unexpected characters and making them feel like they belong in theMortal Kombatuniverse.
Mortal Kombat 11was perhaps the greatest showcase of this skill, asNetherRealm branched out from its usual inclusion of horror iconsand introduced action heroes like Rambo and Robocop. While their gameplay was as solid as any other DLC fighter, where they really shined was in their pre-fight banter with established Kombatants. NetherRealm has always shown an affinity for witty, believable interactions between characters, and these experimental additions were no exception. Giving those interactions room to breathe in a full-fledged story could make for an endlessly entertaining experience.
What Kind Of Crossover Could Mortal Kombat 12 Do?
When it comes to the potential of aMortal Kombat 12story centered around a crossover, the sky really is the limit. The franchise has already established a connection with horror franchises likeFriday the 13thandAlien, so something revolving around previous DLC fighters and new inclusions could fit right in with the series' penchant for absurdity and gore. If NetherRealm Studios felt so bold, it could also take another shot at mergingMortal Kombatwith DC’s biggest heroes now that the studio has proven it can handle both properties separately withtheInjusticeseries.
Whatever the story forMortal Kombat 12has in store, it will likely be just as unexpected and imaginative asMortal Kombat 11. NetherRealm Studios has shown no lack of ambition since it rebooted the series over ten years ago, and it’s given most fans all the reason they need to trust that the developer will stick the landing once again with this highly anticipated installment.Mortal Kombat 12wasn’t revealed like some expected, but the finished product has more than enough potential to be just as sensational as the series' last installment.
Mortal Kombat 12is in development.
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