Summary
The launch ofMortal Kombat 1is on fans' doorsteps, and all the pieces are falling into place. Most of the playable and Kameo Fighter rosters are known about now, and the same can be said for many ofMortal Kombat 1’s features. A cinematic story mode will be the main attraction for some, while others will gravitate toward the Invasions mode to fight a variety of opponents and unlock cosmetics. Of course, the typical online fighting games suite is also available, andMortal Kombat 1hopes to deliver another satisfyingly violent experience.
All of these things are possible within the bounds of Fire God Liu Kang’s new universe. Having absorbed Raiden’s powers todefeat Kronika inMortal Kombat 11, Liu Kang then used the defeated Titan’s hourglass to begin reconstructing the shattered timeline. Many characters are in different, and potentially better, lives than they were in before, but some force is threatening to disrupt this relative prosperity. In the midst of many cleverly altered characters, the returning fighter Ashrah stands out for being nearly unchanged, just closer to the main plot.
RELATED:How Mortal Kombat 1 is More than a Fresh Start for the Fighting Franchise
Ashrah’s Tale Began In MK: Deception
Debuting in the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube titleMortal Kombat: Deception, Ashrah was fondly remembered by players as one of the most inspired characters on the roster. She began her life as aNetherrealm demon serving under Quan Chiwith her sisters. However, after questioning a command from the evil sorcerer, he sent one of Ashrah’s sisters to kill her. During her escape, Ashrah found a strange sword, which she refers to as the Kriss, that seemed to purify her soul as she slayed other demons.
The truth was somewhat more complicated. What Ashrah used to destroy dark beings was actually a vampire-slaying tool called Datusha, the Bane of the Moroi, and it was manipulating her to sate its own bloodlust. But for unexplained reasons, Ashrah genuinely became less demonic as she used the sword. Her semi-canon arcade ending inMK: Deceptionsees her ascend from Netherrealm to Edenia, from which shetasks Konquest protagonist Shujinkoto retrieve the Kriss in her old home. For better or for worse, she uses it to assault the home of Nitara’s vampiric Moroi race inMK: Armageddon.
Mortal Kombat 1 Intends To Play Off Of Ashrah’s Old Story
Like many others, Ashrah’s tale was cut short by her death in the Battle of Armageddon, but it looks likeMortal Kombat 1will pick upright where she left off. Ashrah is generally on the side of good, but Nitara plainly states that the weapon she’s wielding is still the Datusha, meaning she’s likely compelled to slay demons and vampires no matter how dangerous they really are. Nitara is far from a saint, but she’s still trying to protect her people, and Ashrah may be their greatest threat. Regardless of other allegiances, these two will likely spendMK1trying to kill each other.
The one clear difference between the new Ashrah and the old one, aside from Quan Chi’s absence, is that Ashrah herself decided to turn away from her corrupt past upon seeing other realms. It’s unclear if any of her inner purity and outer powers are a result of the Kriss inMortal Kombat 1, or of genuine self-improvement. It’s also unclear if some further enlightenment will occur if Ashrah finishes her purification, or if it’s all in her head. Regardless, Ashrah is allied with Liu Kang, and likely won’t fall back into her old habits that easily. Againstwhatever threat arises inMortal Kombat 1, Ashrah should make for a powerful ally — when she isn’t busy slaughtering every demon and vampire she sees.
Mortal Kombat 1will be released on September 19 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
