Mortal Kombat 1: Our Favorite Lizard Is Coming Back

While all eyes were on Evo 2023, NetherRealm Studios announced three more characters for Mortal Kombat 1, making the existing roster even bigger!

Mortal Kombat 1 Reptile Baraka
Mortal Kombat 1: Reptile is another returning character with a completely different look. | © NetherRealm

Each and every year as Evo is running, and the best competitors are fighting for a crone in their own category, it also means new announcements will happen. And this year got something in store for everyone, no matter which franchise you're celebrating – Tekken 8 also got an announcement.

With Mortal Kombat 1 around the corner, the series creator Ed Boon was busy on social media, posting multiple obvious hints for the next characters. The hints he posted haven't done the revealed trailer justice, not in the slightest.

Let's take a look which character are accompanying the friendly little lizard who firstly appeared 30-years ago as a secret character.

Mortal Kombat 1: Reptile Shape-shifts Even In A Fight

Mortal Kombat 1 Reptil Returns
Mortal Kombat 1: Reptile's look is completely different. | © NetherRealm

With the return of fan-favorite Reptile, a 30 year-long tradition keeps going. The lizard has appeared in virtually every Mortal Kombat game throughout the franchise, either as a playable character or in cameo form.

The reimagining of this iconic character is one of the most noticeable ones yet, as his visual design differs heavenly from the ones in previous games. He either is seen in his human-form as "Syzoth" or in his lizard-like form, with the ability to shape-shift as he sees fit, even midair.

Mortal Kombat 1 Fight Reptile Ashrah
Mortal Kombat 1: Reptile is shapshifting even within a fight or mid-air. | © NetherRealm

With the altered reality through the hands of the Fire God Liu Kang every character got a re-imagining of their respective history and background. Even in the newest trailer, this alteration can be seen, especially watching Reptile's scenes.

Throughout the franchise, Reptile was always one of the bad guys. Always a villainous fighter, working for an evil mastermind and doing the dirty work. However, this time things appear to have changed, as he's now seemingly teaming up with the good side.

Mortal Kombat 1: Ashrah & Havik Are Coming Back

Mortal Kombat 1 Havik and Ashrah
Mortal Kombat 1: Ashrah & Havik also returns with a altered backstory. | © NetherRealm/ EarlyGame

With the "Banished" trailer focusing on characters who've got banished by their respective communities, we get a first look of two returning characters, who have been absent for far too long – Almost 20 years as both of them got first introduced in Mortal Kombat Deception, a game from 2004.

The first one is Ashrah, a demon in an almost human-like appearance, as she seems to have gotten rid of the evil from her soul. The Chaosrealm sorcerer Havik is the second character. He actually enjoys pain and uses his own body during fights – holding his torn-up arm with his hand is just a minor example of this. Be prepared for a bloody fight while picking him as a fighter.

Watch the newest trailer below.

Mortal Kombat 1 arrives at Septemer 19, for PC, PlayStation 5, Switch and Xbox Series X|S.

Ewelyn Derc

Ewelyn is a Content Creator at EarlyGame. She's mainly interested in everything that comes from Japan and has to do with JRPGs. But also Souls-like, Indies, Shooter, Rogue-likes, Otome, Visual Novel and more are in her field of expertise....