Mortal Kombat has morphed and changed many times in its 30 years of existence. But through its various iterations--from 2D to 3D, with beat-em-up spin-offs and even a reboot in 2011--its identity has remained consistent with its two core tenets: scandalous and over-the-top violence, and dark, dire, and melodramatic storytelling. After playing about 90 minutes of Mortal Kombat 1, it's clear that NetherRealm Studios wants to stay true to this identity while completely reinventing itself. It has done this, most notably, with an emphasis on a more lighthearted tone, albeit one that is still absolutely drenched in guts and bone fragments, and a new twist on gameplay.

Mortal Kombat 1 is a fresh start for its universe, its characters, and even its combat. All of this is apparent in the first chapter of its new story mode, which is centered around a young Raiden (no longer the god of thunder in this new timeline) and Kung Lao, both of whom we get to see in a year zero-like setting as farmers in a small rural village. The game takes its time to show the relationship between the two, which is built on a sibling-like love and rivalry. That is, until things go awry and the Lin Kuei, a clan of assassins that is being led by Smoke, show up and demand protection money from a local restaurant. Of course, Kung Lao and Raiden step in to protect their turf. It's also in these brief moments we're given a glimpse of some new and not-so-prominent characters of the MK universe like Madame Bo, the town cook and resident martial art master, who has been teaching Raiden and Kung Lao. She's old, quirky, and tough as nails, and the moment she started thrusting punches and kicks in Smoke's face, I instantly fell in love with her (fingers crossed she's a playable character in the final roster).