It used to work fine, but since yesterday, maybe because of ghostface getting unlocked since i got the expansion, i can not play any match local or online as it crashes as soon as x ray or fatal blow whatever its called is triggered, on windows 10 btw

i bought this game last December after playing on my mates ps5, his ps5 ran it so well that me having a pc that is better then a ps5 should've as well. so i do the installing and realize its slow as hell, like unplayable slow. but being a rational person i think "ill keep the game because there is no way the creators wouldn't fix an issue that stops people from playing" i was so wrong, they haven't. since December i got an even better pc, same issue. so i know its not a pc issue. and now with it almost being a year later, i cant refund a game that doesn't work because of steams refund policy, so I'm asking if anyone has any solution to fixing this issue. I'm running on all low settings, yet its still unplayable. i want to play this game, that's why i bought it, but if the creators genuinely do not care about the steam port of the game, i feel i should get my money back, you cant release a game then make it unplayable and still keep the money from sales. i have so much to say about this game that i don't want to get into so please, does anyone have any solution?

So I pressed claim rewards for the past weeks Towers of Time and then I got disconnected from the server. Rewards havent appeared after reconnecting and there's no option to claim the rewards now. Wtf NRS

If you've been following my polls, you'd know that I'm planning on doing an NRS-Era Armageddon fanfic, Sonya Blade and Jax Briggs got their Klassic Fatalities, Kurtis Stryker, Ferra/Torr, and Nitara got their Fatality load-outs finalized, and Scorpion got MK11 as his main design with me potentially keeping MKX for an alternate costume. Now it's time for the defiant apprentice of Sub-Zero, Frost, to show what the Lin-Kuei can do with one fanmade Fatality from me to compete with the three official ones.

Fanmade:Below Freezing

Frost fires a beam of ice at the opponent's feet that freezes them solid and creeps up their legs as they try to get free and increasingly panic as the ice spreads up to their gut and begins to reach their chest. The opponent makes one last desperate attempt to stop Frost by putting their arms out but they freeze over followed by their head, her sliding towards them into a kick that detaches their frozen body at the waist and shatters the upper half.

Next time is Peacemaker as the ninth Guest Fighter Overview and Brutality Poll.

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Customization - Story Expansion - >!QOL Improvements!<

A Better Story Expansion (Part A)

You are currently reading Part A.

This post is going to be split up into two segments: a summary and critical review of the Khaos Reigns story expansion followed by an article discussing the improvement of Mortal Kombat 1's story in a potential future story expansion.

All of my thoughts provided here are intended for constructive criticism and feedback for this area of MK1's development, and is not meant to demean or offend NRS or its developers. If you prefer to check out the article itself, skip to Part B here. If you're interested in the summary and review, keep reading.

1. Khaos Reigns Story Expansion Summary

Khaos Reign's story was a hot mess. It's been two months since the game's expansion has been released and with that came the story expansion that continued Mortal Kombat 1's story kampaign, which, in my opinion, turned out to be a lot less than what I was expecting.

The story felt a lot more like another season of Invasions rather than contributing anything else to the second reboot of the franchise so far. While there were moments in the kampaign that briefly touched upon other plotlines concerning the Lin Kuei and Shirai Ryu clan rivalry and the Outworld rebellion against the royal family, it did little expanding the main story and more to ruin it with rushed character development and an underperforming synopsis.

Below is a summary of the Khaos Reigns story expansion. Because this isn't a complete reading summary, a lot of excessive detail will be left out for brevity, but I won't omit anything essential to the story, either.

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Khaos Reigns begins with Cyrax and Sektor performing a training exercise in the Lin Kuei's technological facility, the two characters exchanging banter through their intercoms in their mech-suits. Sektor is Cyrax's instructor, whose responsibilities as a master armorer have granted the clan much with the resources and equipment made; taking her father's mantle.

The two continue fighting, Cyrax hiding behind a tree, demanding Sektor to show herself. She taunts her pupil, asking if to lose her advantage, and if she had taught her nothing before resuming chase. Cyrax gets knocked to the ground after narrowly avoiding a hail of rockets, Sektor telling her if she had kept her head down and been more disciplined, she would feel the noose tightening around her neck.

Cyrax argues that there are rules, listing how she fought her unseen and attacking from a distance. Sektor counters that the Lin Kuei don't fight in tournaments, they fight wars, kicking her to the ground; informing her that if she is hidden, she must reveal herself, and that should be second nature to someone with her pedigree. She continues to taunt her, saying that she was wrong thinking Cyrax was worthy of that armor, to which Cyrax attacks her with hand-to-hand combat.

She counters that Sektor is her instructor and commander, and not to confuse that with being her superior. The two fight, Cyrax emerging victorious, telling her instructor if she doesn't like her kombat, to send her back to the air mountains. Sektor argues that she doesn't go home until she has made her the perfect Lin Kuei. She made her parents that promise, and she will keep it.

Bi-Han, Sub-Zero, then enters as the holographic scenery fades away, revealing the technology in the room. They bow to their grandmaster as Bi-Han praises Sektor, telling her once again, she outdoes herself: the facility, the armor, even her father's dreams weren't so grand. Only she could have replaced him as the Lin Kuei's master armorer. Cyrax scoffs at this, leading Bi-Han to intimidate his subordinate; reminding her that she is fortunate that Sektor is her mentor.

Sektor informs her grandmaster that, with his permission, she will begin the mass production of the armor, to which Bi-Han responds that it must be tested in battle first, revealing they have found Kuai Liang, Scorpion, and his Shirai Ryu: they gather at the Wu Shi for his wedding. Cyrax is taken aback by this, remarking that she's aware what he's done before she's cut off; Bi-Han replies that suprise will give them the tactical advantage.

Cyrax continues, saying they may win the battle, but find we lose the war, that no one will respect them afterwards. Bi-Han simply counters that it is better for them to be feared than respected, intimidating her. She laments how Liu Kang capitulated to Outworld; agreeing to break up the clan. Sektor argues that he was spineless, as was Kuai Liang for what she refers as "abiding his surrender." Bi-Han presses that they gave up on the Lin Kuei, but they will not, commanding Cyrax to go begin attack preperations.

She leaves, leading Sektor to worry how already, she suspects their deception, and eventually she'll learn the truth about Kuai Liang. Bi-Han assures her that they will be ready when she does.

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At the Wu Shi academy, Shaolin and Shirai Ryu warriors are recreating among themselves in the foreground as Raiden is nervously reciting his speech for the ceremony. He's soon accompanied by Johnny Cage, followed by Kung Lao and Kenshi, asking if he's getting stage fright, referring to him as "thunder lad." Raiden responds that he's never performed a marriage, and wasn't expecting to today.

He mentions Liu Kang and Geras were called to Outworld unexpectantly before Johnny cuts him off, telling him to relax, that he's being "very un-dude." He reassures him that they're just extras in this picture, and Kuai Liang and Harumi are the stars, as the couple slowly approach the platform in double-file, with Tomas, Smoke, and Shaolin warriors follow behind playing drums and flutes.

Johnny laments that this reminds him of when he and Cris got hitched, Kenshi asking if it was in Hollywood, as he bets that was epic. Johnny responds that it was before he got famous: small service, modest church, simpler times. In the background, Lin Kuei assasins are positioning themselves on the scaffolding, observing the performing ceremony. Cyrax, Sektor and Bi-Han, accompanied by dozens of Lin Kuei assasins, prepare outside the reinforced doors of the Wu Shi as Sektor readies her rockets to blast the doors open.

As Raiden performs his speech, the doors are blown open as a Lin Kuei assault commences, surpising everyone. The assault ensues as Shaolin and Shirai Ryu forces are entangled in the chaos as Bi-Han walks in. The group joins the fray, Harumi and Kuai Liang quickly embracing before he himself joins, reassuring him that she'll be fine. Johnny assures Harumi that he's got her, Harumi questioning this notion as she joins the fight dual-wielding blades: proving to be a skilled warrior herself.

Sektor and Cyrax make their way onto the scene, confronting Johnny and Tomas. Johnny remarks since when did the Lin Kuei go mecha-anime, to which Tomas identifyies the duo as Sektor and Cyrax, unable to believe that they would do this. Cyrax returns the remark in their disbelief that they broke faith with the Lin Kuei. Defeating Tomas and Johnny, Cryax notices Harumi getting pinned down by an assasin as another approaches her with a kitana, ready to slay her down.

Cyrax intervenes just as the assasin is about to strike her down, telling herself that that is not their mission. Sektor confronts her, asking what she's doing. Harumi initially gains the upper hand, while the two are distracted, before Cyrax demobilizes her with a sticky bomb, telling Harumi to desist, as it's not her fight. Sektor demands why she would defend her as Cyrax argues that Kuai Liang and Tomas are fair game, they have broken their oaths, but Harumi isn't Lin Kuei; she only attacks because they do.

Kuai Liang confronts the pair, taunting Cyrax that she feebly grasps honor amisdt this brazen assault, disgusting him how they've corrupted the Lin Kuei. Cyrax prevails, knocking Kuai Liang to the ground, remarking that they are here because of his treachery. Bi-Han approaches with Harumi taken captive. He asks Kuai Liang if he's ready to reap the rewards of his faithlessness before commanding Cyrax to take him away.

Harumi manages to break free, however, grabbing the assasin's kitana, putting herself between her newly-wedded husband and their assailants. Cyrax reiterates that this isn't her fight, only for Harumi to challenge her by telling her if she wants him, she'll have to kill her. Bi-Han informs Cyrax if she makes it necessary, grant her wish. Harumi counters, telling Cyrax that she knows Bi-Han is wrong, that he acts without honor.

Cyrax is determined, though, arguing that it is Kuai Liang who betrayed the Lin Kuei, as he slowly gets up to inform her otherwise: that it's a lie spoken by the man who let his father perish. Cyrax is shocked by this, but Kuai Liang continues, adding that his "brother" was so impatient to lead that, to make the Lin Kuei his own, he went even further, revealing to Cyrax that he broke his sacred oath and sided with outsiders against Earthrealm. Cyrax is in disbelief, not wanting to accept the truth.

Kuai Liang finishes by asking if the scar on his left eye was there the last time they saw each other, and reiterates who she thinks is responsible. Cyrax, awestruck by this revelation, asks Bi-Han if everything Kuai Liang stated was true. He simply confirms every word. She then turns to Sektor, saying that she knew about all of this from the beginning, to which Sektor responds by stating she shares Bi-Han's vision for the Lin Kuei, and that they won't be bound by Liu Kang's limits.

Cyrax, incredulous, argues that she won't stand for it, leading Sektor to confirm that it was the reason why they kept the truth from her, knowing she would be entirely against the breaking of their traditions and their vows. Bi-Han adds, now that she knows, she's a threat to the clan, leading the two to fight, Cyrax defeating him swiftly, asking how she was fooled by his lies; leading Kuai Liang to ask the same of her, confronting her again.

In the background, the remaining Shao Lin and Shirai Ryu forces have detained the remaining Lin Kuei assasins within the compound as others are retreating to the compound.

Cyrax is speechless. In her heart, she doubted the mission, and she's about to argue otherwise in the rush to prove herself before she's cut off by her former grandmaster, Kuai Liang argues that it's no excuse. Cyrax solemnly agrees, noting that there can only be one punishment, as she kneels in defeat, ready to be beheaded by Kuai Liang, who grasps the sword on his back.

Harumi then arrives, placing her hand on his, pleading Kuai Liang not to do it, as she had been decieved. She pleads him to spare her as his gift to her on their wedding day. Kuai Liang accepts this; Harumi managing to reach through to his heart admist his enflamed fury, but tells Cyrax that she is not forgiven, that this day has seen too much Shirai Ryu blood.

Raiden and Kenshi approach, informing Kuai Liang that they've turned the Lin Kuei away and are retreating. He thanks Raiden and the Shaolin for their aid, apologizing to have entangled them in their family squabble. Tomas approaches the couple as Cyrax stands up, ordering him to detain both Bi-Han and Sektor, that they will deal with him upon their return to the compound.

Raiden respectfully interjects. He informs the group that the Lin Kuei's crimes are not only against him but against both Earthrealm and Outworld, stating that their hands lie in the fate of Lord Liu Kang and Empress Mileena

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At the royal palace, Bi-Han and Sektor are both detained in front of Empress Mileena, who's reacting to Liu Kang's advisement of sparing their lives, asking if he's mad; clearly not too happy about that proposal. Liu Kang, with Geras, Raiden and Kung Lao in attendance, alongside Kuai Liang and Cyrax, agrees that they must answer for former General Shao's rebellion, and he leaves their punishment to her, but remarks that killing them will neither restore Sindel nor ease her loss.

Mileena scoffs, responding that it will give her great pleasure. Princess Kitana, Mileena's sister and commander of Outworld's army, seconds Liu Kang's advice. Mileena explains that when Shao's rebellion ended and he was imprisoned, her advisors also urged mercy; to smother the seditious fire he lit. But it stayed smoldering among his followers, and when he escaped, it reignited. Now her sister's armies are stretched to their limits.

Liu Kang reassures her that, as always, Earthrealm's might is at her disposal to help deal with Shao's threat. He asks in return is that together they try to break the cycle of violence, as Bi-Han and Sektor sneer at the empress.

At this part of the story, this, along with the final cutscene, is where I consider the end of the Khaos Reigns story expansion. What follows from here on out is what happens next in the story. I want to stress how much Khaos Reign's story parallels that of a typical season of Invasions, which itself is a seperate kampaign that delves more into the "multiverse" filler tidbit of MK1's story.

We're going to take a brief intermission here to explain a couple of things story-wise, starting with the multiverse concept in Mortal Kombat.

For those familiar, in Mortal Kombat 11, the 3rd part of the NRS-era Mortal Kombat reboot, the story follows a new antagonist in the franchise named Kronika; a Titaness who was the Keeper of Time and Architect of Destiny, as well as the mother of Shinnok—whom he himself was a fallen Elder God of Death and Corruption that ruled the Netherrealm; that saw the death of her son as an imbalance between the forces of good and evil, seeking equilibrium by erasing and restarting timelines as well as manipulating time between the past and present, which ended up driving her mad.

She uses a mystical relic known as the hourglass: a contraption that regulates time and destiny, located far beyond the realms. In the arcade towers, characters face Kronika as the final boss before taking her hourglass, to which the characters end up becoming Titans themselves, weaving their own destinies as their stories continue in each of the arcade endings.

In MK11's story expansion, Aftermath, it follows the efforts of Shang Tsung, Fujin, and Nightwolf, along with other equally popular and old characters in the franchise, right after the events of MK11's main kampaign to restore Kronika's crown, where Liu Kang is about to create his new era. Shang Tsung, being the scheming sorcerer he is, decieves his acquaintances as he faces off with Liu Kang for Kronika's crown, leaving the player with two choices of Mortal Kombat's destiny: Liu Kang or Shang Tsung.

In Mortal Kombat 1's story, in Liu Kang's new era, the main villian reveals themself to be none other than a much younger Shang Tsung, confriming himself as "Titan" Shang Tsung, details the events of MK11's aftermath showdown, describing how the duration of their battle released "mammoth energies" that ripped apart time's fabric, leading to two conclusions: his vitcory and Liu Kang's.

A lot of references towards the final act of the kampaign referred to the different arcade endings in MK11: Liu Kang describing to "Titan" Kitana whilst looking for allies across timelines agaist Titan Shang Tsung how the battle for Kronika's Hourglass ripped apart time's fabric, that where there was once one timeline then is where there are many timelines now: implying that much like the arcade endings, each Mortal Kombat character in the franchise is their own Keeper of Time with their own timeline.

Contrary to what a lot of people might be thinking, this is what the writers intended story-wise for the future of the franchise. This detail of story was made before the multiverse popularity kicked off, and the franchise, at the time, did it in it's own way that didn't diminish the core of what Mortal Kombat is.

This was paid off at the end of MK1's base kampaign where Liu Kang and his Titan allies, along with all the other characters that sided on the forces of good, battled Titan Shang Tsung in his timeline at the pyramid; which itself is a reference to Armageddon. There are many references and callbacks to other details, story elements and plotpoints in MK1's main kampaign, which I appreciate as-is. It's meant as a loveletter to the Mortal Kombat fans as the franchise's second reboot, and the base story exemplifies that aspect fairly well.

Unfortunely Khaos Reigns capitalized more on the multiverse bandwagon that's grown more prevelant in today's climate, and this story expansion does little to deepen the plot.

Which turns my attention back to the other kampaign mode, Invasions. As mentioned, Invasions is a seperate kampaign in MK1 that focuses more on the multiverse concept rather than story, and outside of the narrative is meant to deliver more content to players every month, which is right around the time a new fighter from an announced kombat pack along with patch notes and other content releases.

The synopsis, as described by Liu Kang is simple:

"Though the barriers among timelines have been rebuilt after the recent invasion, they remain porous. That is why I chose to secretly surveil all of them, to keep watch for potential aggressors. And my choice has proven wise. There is no shortage of malefactors who wish this timeline harm. But with the advance knowledge I have gained of their plans, I can coordinate this timeline's defenses. These threats vary in nature and severity. But all risk doing critical damage. With skill, luck, and perseverance these threats will be defeated. The future of this timeline is now in your hands. May the Elder Gods bless your efforts."

We won't delve into gameplay here, as I'll save that for the final post in this series. It's premise is simple and developers have been steadily improving the experience in the past couple of months for players. Again, it's not that story-heavy, as it's more meant for content delivery. Every season of invasions follows a theme that follows a character based on that season: i.e., Scorpion, Nitara, etc.

In Khaos Reign's case, however, we're going to start seeing a lot of familiar parallels between this and Invasions.

A portal suddenly opens behind the group as a crowd of warped and bizzare-looking counterparts enter the palace. Liu Kang addresses them as interlopers from yet another timeline, to which Geras asks whose interlopers they are. On cue, from behind the crowd, Titan Havik reveals himself; another Keeper of Time who serves as the Cleric of Chaos.

He explains that, at the battle at Shang Tsung's pyramid, Titan ST came to his timeline to seek his aid.

This is a mild inconsistency between both story kampaigns, with the post-credits scene of the base kampaign revealing "Titan Havik" arriving in the aftermath of the battle with various kombatant counterparts from different timelines.

I'll return to this scene later at the end of the summary.

T. Havik continues, explaining how, until then, he had no idea that other timelines existed, let alone they could be made to fight. He plans to pit all timelines together in kombat for his chaotic pleasure, proceeding to capture Geras, leaving no explanation other than he requires him for his plans, ensuing a fight at the palace.

Bi-Han and Sektor break free to assist in the defense amisdt the madness, but despite everyone's efforts, Geras is captured and the palace is destroyed. Liu Kang and his allies are defeated, T. Havik threatening to return and leaves just as Bi-Han races after him.

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In the citidel of Khaosrealm, or Havik's timeline more accurately, Bi-Han confronts the Chaotic Cleric to his defeat, leading him to be taken in by Kenshi and Takeda's counterparts. As he's dragged in, he sees hundreds, if not thousands of identical Geras corpses littered throughout the halls. K. Kenshi remarks that Bi-Han's a gifted fighter, and that he'll do well in the arena, but T. Havik denies this, telling him he has other plans for Bi-Han to pass the time while his Kamidogu infuses with Geras' time crystals; injected with several tendrils from a machine in the center of the room.

Here, T. Havik elaborates on his plan. The kamidogu are ancient, powerful relics that, when unified, can remake the timeline's reality. He discerned that, by extention, when infused with the time crystals of other timelines, it spreads the affect: remaking multiple timelines simultaneously.

Bi-Han is confused by why exactly he needs Geras to achieve this and not Liu Kang, as he's the Keeper of Time in his era. T. Havik corrects him, informing him that Geras is the only being who has lived in all prior timelines, which means the time crystals within him contain the building blocks of all current timelines. Once all of the crystals are infused with the kamidogu, T. Havik can remake all timelines as he sees fit.

He then prepares to experiment on Bi-Han as he's presumably killed off-screen, hinting at the transition in Bi-Han's character arc from Sub-Zero to Noob Saibot.

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In Mortal Kombat Deception, the kampaign revolves around Shujinko, an adventurer who was manipulated by an entity known as Damashi, later revealed to be Shao Kahn, tasking him to gather six mystical relics that were created by the Elder Gods. These relics embodied the essence of their respective realms which is where they're located.

When used together, they are said to have incredible power that can make and unmake all of reality. These relics, as you might have guessed, are the Kamidogu. While both the original and rebooted versions of the kamidogu contain great power in scope, their story relevance here differs slightly from Deception's.

Earlier in the scene, as Bi-Han is being dragged in, he sees hundreds of identical Geras corpses piled on top one another; littered throughout the halls. This implies that T. Havik has spent a long time trying to find a compatible Geras to infuse with his kamidogu. Given that, logically, Geras is an immortal construct, whose sole purpose is to protect the hourglass of that timeline, it would be apparent that the same would be true with any other Geras counterpart: "containing the building blocks for all current timelines," as T. Havik puts it.

This scene seems to throw that argument out the window. Sure, one could argue that aforementioned, this would be true with any other Geras in any other timeline, I guess his character is more "filler" than actual narrative enrichment, plotwise.

Back at the palace, Sektor is detained again, leading Kitana and Liu Kang to argue against the arragnement, requiring her aid in the crisis. Sektor is released, again, as everyone plans on navigating the situation. In the meeting, they discuss their Havik with Mileena complaining about the threats of the titans never seeming to cease.

Make that a reference to Invasions if you will.

Liu Kang informs the group that because Sektor and Cyrax are Lin-Kuei trained, they are appropriate for this type of mission under Scorpion's command, which Kuai Liang immediately shoots down, saying that he wants neither help and he'll go alone.

Liu Kang reassures him not to doubt neither Cyrax's needs to make amends nor Sektor's longing for Bi-Han's safe return, and they won't betray them. As he and Cyrax fetch Sektor, she questions if they can trust her despite all that occurred. Kuai Liang is unsure of both Cyrax and Sektor, but Liu Kang is right; they must act.

Meeting up with Sektor, escorted by Umagi, is evaluated on the terms of her release, cofirming that resuing Geras is their priority while Bi-Han is secondary. Kuai Liang affirms that they save him only if the mission isn't put at risk, Sektor clearly against the agenda. The three enter Havik's timeline as they explore the warped realm, eventually running into a counterpart of Johnny Cage; Lt. Col. Johnathan Cage, U.S. Army 44th Infantry, circa WWII.

They manage to save him from khaos counterparts for information, to which he shares with the group as they are joined by Rain's presumable Titan counterpart: Emperor Rain. The two explain how they were each minding their own lives in each of their own respective timelines when they were suddenly taken by T. Havik's efforts into his timeline: Lt. Col. Cage fighting Nazi Germany in France in WWII (???), and Emperor (possibly Titan) Rain's empire being taken by T. Havik.

Cage explains that they hold a rebellion against T. Havik's efforts, and their recent attack on his citadel was a bust, killing a lot of people and the capture of E. Rain's wife, Empress Tanya (presumably from E. Rain's timeline), revealing that she's to fight in the arena tomorrow for T. Havik's pleasure. Being the only person that has knowledge of the citadel's layout, they presume Geras might be there as well; given that's where T. Havik spends most of his time.

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At the arena, multiple counterparts (both kombatant with Deception and Deadly Alliance skins and kameos with appropriately-themed color palettes) perform mortal kombat for an audience of Haviks, as T. Havik with his right-hand-men watch from afar. The khaos counterparts of the Takahashi cousins place bets with their lord on the kombatants as T. Havik comments how he should've kept Kronika alive after taking her hourglass to rub in her face what he made of her "golden balance."

From a distance, the group observes the carnage in hiding, E. Rain remarking how Emperess Li Mei and Emperor Reiko, the leaders he and E. Tanya deposed in his timeline, reveled in bloodsports. When Scorpion asks him how long he's ruled for, he replies "long enough to have missed this," and everything changed as soon as his timeline was merged into his. As Tanya's counterpart is ushered onto the arena grounds, K. Kenshi finds them and blows their cover; throwing them into the arena with her.

T. Havik and the rebellion exchange banter before ensuing in gladitory battle, running into the tunnels for cover as warriors chase them inside. After a series of booby traps, they are briefly cornered as T. Havik reveals they have walked right into his trap; and are now in the maze of the arena. Outside, a big screen is mounted to statuary as the audience observes from afar.

The group are then chased again and are split up, Sektor with E. Rain and E. Tanya, and Cyrax with Lt. Col. Cage and Kuai Liang. In Sektor's group, they're confronted by E. Li Mei and E. Reiko, seeking retribution for being dethroned in their powerlust. Since the pair are resurrected after every defeat for T. Havik's pleasure, E. Rain and E. Tanya kill them to proceed, regrouping with Sektor and into another trap.

E. Rain sacrifices himself for E. Tanya and Sektor to escape, leading the two to share their final goodbyes before he's killed off inside of a classic crushing room with a rusted-locked door, much to T. Havik's delight. In Cyrax's group, she realizes she hadn't thanked Kuai Liang for sparing her, to which Scorpion responds to thank Harumi, as it was her request.

Cyrax presses him, however; adding that she doesn't expect forgiveness, she expects understanding. He snaps at her, removing his mask, arguing how long they have know each other. Cyrax cuts him off, countering by revealing that he vanished from the Lin Kuei, as her former commander, with no explanation. Bi-Han, her grandmaster, gave her one that she didn't initially believe as it made no sense, but was reinforced by how his departure itself made any sense either.

Scorpion asks if she's blaming him for her actions, to which Cyrax somberly corrects him saying that she is not a machine. She is human, and humans make mistakes. She composes herself before being on the verge of tears, Kuai Liang assuring her that they'll finish this later, as they resume their journey.

Back with Sektor and E. Tanya, grieving the loss of her husband, the two talk as they navigate through previously-detonated booby traps, E. Tanya later requesting to talk about something else other than her husband when mentioned; about her friends. Sektor corrects her, saying that they are allies, and are only such until after the crisis, to which they will settle their differences in kombat. She elaborates, when questioned about the nature of her quarrel, that herself and other seek only a powerful future.

The two discuss about the morals of Sektor's desires, E. Tanya asking if it's something worth killing for. In the arena, the audience watches eagerly, T. Havik commenting they won't survive the next encounter. In the tunnels, E. Tanya and Sektor come across noneother than Orin: an imprisoned dragon taken by T. Havik as an attraction in his maze.

The pair briefly encounter and defeat the maze hunters: K. Kitana and K. Mileena, before returning to the beast. Through telepathy(???), E. Tanya reaches through to Orin, earning their allegiance, and providing them some information. Orin, telepathically, explains that before T. Havik came and trapped her in the maze, she was beloved by gods. Cyrax's group rejoins with Sektor and E. Tanya as Orin agrees to aid them and provides a portal to the citadel.

T. Havik tries to intervene by draining Orin's power, but the group manages to escape, Tanya promising to return for her after the crisis, leaving her fate ultimately unknown.

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Alright, some more trivia. Orin, for those unfamiliar, is a character from Mortal Kombat Armageddon.

In that game, Orin was a Guardian Dragon of Edenia, who was ordered by Edenia's protector-god Argus to awaken his sons Taven and Daegon in the hopes to avoid Armageddon across the realms. Story-wise, Orin is loyal to Taven until his death by Quan-Chi, opening a portal to him for Daegon to finish.

Whether this is meant to only mirror this story element from Armageddon is uncertain, and, hopefully, is not meant to be. So far we have two references from different MK titles that have made relevancy in this story expansion. As we're about to come across the final reference in the story, I want to reiterate that I will address each of these smaller details in the review.

Much to T. Havik's disapproval, he orders K. Kenshi to warn his new minion that the citadel has been infiltrated, referring to Bi-Han, now Noob Saibot. They begin making their way to the foundry where Geras is held captive before the ground beneath them suddenly gives way, Cyrax shoving Kuai Liang out of the way as she takes the fall, injuring herself.

Lt. Col. Cage and Scorpion rush to her aid, Cyrax being mostly alright when asked as the armor absorbed the impact of it. Kuai Liang then thanks her for saving his life as Sektor attempts to retrieve everyone one by one before encountering Noob Saibot, ensuing a riot. After fighting multiple khaotic counterparts, she and E. Tanya rejoin the group, and are about to resume their journey before Sektor interrupts them.

After Noob Saibot confirmed his identity to Sektor, her priority in rescuing him is reinforced, much to Kuai Liang's annoyance. She informs him that he is still here, defending T. Havik, leading Scorpion to ask if there's no low he won't sink to. She argues that his mind has been broken and that he's not himself, to which Kuai Liang counters that while it may be so, if he gets in their way, they will leave him here.

Sektor cuts him off, pressing him further by arguing they need to bring him back so Liu Kang can undo the damage done to him. Scorpion insists only if he doesn't jeapordize the mission, enraging Sektor, asking if he would leave his brother to die; if he has no respect, despite both of them and Cyrax literally crashing their wedding yesterday.

Scorpion simply replies that he is owed no more respect than he had shown his father, leading the group and leaving her to catch up. They run into Bi-Han, Scorpion confronting him (as it was meant to be), saying his new attire suits him: it is as black as his heart. Noob Saibot greets him, remarking that once again, they are opposed. He continues chastising him, asking how is he always so blind, first to the Lin Kuei's potential, now to the perfection of Lord Havik's chaos.

Scorpion counters that his ambition is blind, as always, and although he twisted his mind to his purpose, he left his desires unchanged, ensuing yet another fight. He's knocked out, leading E. Tanya and Cyrax to take him down, Cyrax informing her that despite what Kuai Liang says, he would regret it if he lost Bi-Han, and that they can't kill him. So they don't.

Defeated, Sektor approaches Bi-Han, commenting that T. Havik made him odious: this must be undone. She comments something about the Lin Kuei's Elder Arcanist being able to assist them before Kuai Liang interjects, saying that he knows nothing of T. Havik's magic; Liu Kang is her only hope, and that she shouldn't have plotted against him before moving towards the foundry, releasing Geras and taking the Kamidogu with them as they escape right before T. Havik's forces close in.

Enraged, T. Havik orders his tropes to gather his minions as he plots to returns to Liu Kang's timeline.

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At the fire temple, Liu Kang manages to mend Bi-Han's mind thanks to the kamidogu retrieved from T. Havik's foundry. Bi-Han recovers as he and Sektor briefly embrace, discussing their next plan of action. Liu Kang informs them that once the Kamidogu have been delivered to the Temple of The Elements, they will be beyond T. Havik's reach.

As Kuai Liang leaves with Shaolin warriors, accompanied by E. Tanya and Cyrax, Bi-Han starts talking: from the moments of his captivity, T. Havik knows what they know—aware of their defenses and of the Portal Gateways at Ying Valley. When his mind was broken, it became an open book. All of his knowledge laid bare for T. Havik's inspection.

Liu Kang surmises that with the knowledge he now has, T. Havik will use the kamidogu to hasten the capture of the timeline and project his chaos into all realms at once. Bi-Han laments how he should've been stronger, Liu Kang reassures him that few could withstand a Titan. Cyrax contacts Sektor over the radio as T. Havik arrives, destroying the fire temple and taking the kamidogu.

The group confronts him as T. Havik injects himself with the relics and makes his way to Ying Valley, leaving his minions to buy him time as another riot ensues. Kuai Liang and Bi-Han team up with plenty of brotherly bicker about, challenging each other as they always had before. Liu Kanf and his allies finally make their way to Ying Valley, intercepting T. Havik and his process of restoring the portals previously destroyed in the base kampaign.

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Bi-Han and Liu Kang bicker as he argues about desiring a different future, with Liu Kang countering that his desires aren't at issue; it's his methods for achieving them. Defeating T. Havik's minions, they surround him. With the kamidogu infused into T. Havik however, he manages to duplicate himself by ripping his limbs off and imparting the process onto his clones, making hundreds of them.

Having learnt nothing from past tribulations and despite Liu Kang's advice, he challenges T. Havik alone, successfully defeating him and rendering him a vegetable: effectively containing the threat. He's about to kill him for good when Liu Kang intervenes, but Bi-Han argues they're not safe until T. Havik dies. Liu Kang counters this, arguing that they don't know how he's joined with his timeline, and by extension, destroying him will wipe his timeline from existence. He won't kill innocent millions.

Which is, debatably bullshit, given what Titan Shang Tsung could do, but alright.

Liu Kang says he's had enough of his selfishness, triggering Bi-Han into a rage. Sektor tries to hold him back, telling him it's not this fight, but he pulls away and is about to land the blow before he's stopped by Geras. Liu Kang initially thanks her for her support, but when telling him that she only acted for Bi-Han, as he would've learned nothing from that challenge, he concedes; opening a portal to the Lin Kuei's compound.

He tells her that rewarding her on their timeline's behalf, he will see that she's spared from Empress Mileena's wrath and to return to the Lin Kuei. She asks about Bi-Han, responding that he will stay at the Temple of The Elements until he's fully restored. He will see fit about keeping her aprised of progress before warning her that further Lin Kuei transgressions will be severely punished as their grandmaster in Bi-Han's absence: she will be held responsible.

The fates of T. Havik, E. Tanya, and Lt. Col. Cage are left ambiguous as their characters don't get any sendoff whatsoever, and I think that's probably for the better.

For now, lets just assume that T. Havik was, for the most part, banished to the void, Lt. Col. Cage was returned to a better timeline suitable for him given his position, and E. Tanya briefly returns to T. Havik's citadel to free Orin from captivity as they travel to a better timeline themselves, where we never see, hear or are ever burdened by their presence as filler characters in this god-forsaken story expansion of a video game's DLC pack ever again.

At dawn, Bi-Han is rendered comatose inside a specially-designed capsule to be housed inside the Temple of The Elements, transported by Raiden and Kung Lao with Shaolin warriors, as it's safer for all that way.

Kuai Liang asks if T. Havik's magic can truly be undone, Liu Kang confirms that comprehending its intricacies will take years. He comments about Cyrax; who's awaiting his decision. Kuai Liang says he knows Harumi's thoughts, but he remains unsure. Liu Kang simply assures him to trust his wife and avail himself of her wisdom.

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We finally get to the final cutscene of Khaos Reigns, where if you recall, is where I considered, along with the opening scenes, to be the ending of the story expansion. Let's get into it then, as Cyrax is awaiting her fate by Kuai Liang's decision.

Cyrax, now attired in her issued Shirai Ryu tunic, waits nervously inside the Fire Temple as Kuai Liang enters. She addresses him, thanking him for coming. Kuai Liang says he promised a decision, and he has made one. Cyrax lightly interjects, telling him that before he shares it, that she says, one more time how sorry she is before being cut off by him.

He approaches her, telling her she fought well against T. Havik, and that she also saved his life, but that is not enough, he's about to say, before Cyrax finishes his sentence. She understands, but he tells her that's not all. He had no business judging her for believing Bi-Han's lies, as he too was taken in. It is he, and he alone, who deserves his ire. She, however, deserves an invitation to the clan.

Cyrax is taken aback by this, grateful for this honor of hers she has earned. She bows to Scorpion, thanking him. He gently corrects her, saying "thank you, grandmaster."

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That was Khaos Reigns in a nutshell. And I have a lot to say and unpack in Part B.

I wonder if some of y'all play for the story why didn't you guys watch a Full Movie (All Cutscenes) Video on YouTube instead? (No trolling I'm genuinely confused)

I don’t have a clip of it but I was labbing with Jax and found that if your opponent is in the air and you hit them with a back 2 it bounces them. Idk if this can be made optimal or lead to better damage but I figured some would find this interesting

Homelander is cooked

I only really ask because I’m confused on how the different Ghostfaces are represented. I know that the original has now been revealed, and the other two are Kobra and Kira, but the Black Dragon members are represented by unique knives that are visible during gameplay. However during Ghostface’s brutalities and fatalities, the second Ghostface that comes on screen also has the iconic hunting knife, making it seem like it’s Stu and Billy. I know the Kombat Kast confirmed there were 3, and I’m sure that it’s just a reference so it can be any of the two Clan members, I just wondered if anyone else felt a little thrown off by it lol. I end up just telling myself that it’s Billy and Stu only for when they both have the hunting knives.

seriously??? only the second season since khaos reigns comes out and they just recycled the entire first season from the start of mk1?

nothing new in the season store, nothing new in the shrine, just fucking lazy bullshit...

they have 20+ characters in this game, at least all the base roster should have had an invasion type season of content, if not the mk dlc characters as well.

i've played since launch, so i already had pretty much everything in the seasonal shop. so wtf is the point of this invasion seasonal approach then? people aren't going to come back and play it if there's nothing new to do and earn.

yeah, there's still online play, which some people like, but a lot of people just don't have no interest in pvp.

i'll play online for a bit, but quickly get annoyed with the opponents on there doing mostly the same shit as everyone else.

mk11 had tons of stuff to do, still does, and it wasn't limited by this time gated seasonal bs.

Ghostface:Do you like scary movies? Shujinko: What's scary movies? Ghostface:Wear this mask & you'll join my Ghostface Fanclub

Boo! What’s your favorite scary movie? #MortalKombat1

at least for the first ghostface

i fell like there is a missed opportunity by not letting you do fatalities on both characters at once. anyone have any idea on how that could work?

I never seen this before , did it on accident in Invasions input was hold up during

I could've sworn NRS said in one of the September Kombat Casts that they were gonna put more palettes in the Legacy Tower?

Can anyone go back and confirm this? Were we lied to, or did i just hear it wrong? I finished it completely yesterday and wanted to try again in the rerun of S1. Got nothing