Mortal Kombat 1 is out now for everyone to play, and the game is getting rave reviews on most systems. But one thing that many have noted is how different the game feels story-wise to past titles. The universe’s continuity has indeed been rebooted before, but that was under many different conditions and by a much different guiding hand. In this game, Liu Kang is trying to give everyone a “second chance” to be something they couldn’t be in the past timelines. That’s why one of the songs that was made for the game was called “Second Chance.”
To that end, NetherRealm Studios released a lyric video for that song starring Zaid Tabani, Mega Ran, A_Rival, and Super Square. The song/music video highlights the characters of Mortal Kombat 1 and sings about both the brutality of the title while also asking how many of us get a true second chance. This is what it means to make a true “video game track” with lyrics, so check it out below:
The lines about violence and death aside, the game really does speak to the game’s nature and initial story. Liu Kang got the Hourglass from the Titan known as Kronika and used it to reshape the universe. But he didn’t do so for his own benefit. Instead, he focused on rewriting destiny and history so that many of the Kombatants we know could have better lives or, at the least, the chance of a better life.
For example, he knew all too well the struggle between Kitana and her “sister” Mileena due to Shao Khan’s meddling and malice. So he made them true sisters via their mother, Sindel, who was the wise and fair ruler of Outworld in the new timeline. While there was still a sisterly rivalry, it wasn’t as bad as it was before.
Then there was Sub-Zero and Scorpion, who went through many games with an intense rivalry due to the perception that one had killed the other’s family and doomed them to the NetherRealm. However, here, they are true brothers in the Lin Kuei, and they even have an adopted brother in Smoke.
While the story does take a much darker turn, Liu Kang and the others fight for this “better world” because of the second chance it provides to many. The game does end with loads of potential for another title. So we’ll have to wait and see what NetherRealm Studios does with the opportunity.
