T-1000 Gameplay in Mortal Kombat 1 Echoes Terminator 2, Surprise Kameo DLC Revealed

NetherRealm Studios, the developer behind Mortal Kombat 1, has unveiled exciting new content for fans, showcasing the first gameplay footage of the T-1000 as a DLC guest character and confirming Madam Bo as a new Kameo fighter.

The T-1000's gameplay footage is a nostalgic nod to Terminator 2, featuring attacks that echo the iconic movie. The character sports blade and hook arms reminiscent of Baraka and Kabal from the Mortal Kombat universe. A highlight of the gameplay shows the T-1000 transforming into a liquid metal blob, executing an uppercut similar to Glacius from Killer Instinct. The character is brought to life with the voice and likeness of Robert Patrick, who originally portrayed the T-1000 in the 1991 film. In the teaser, Patrick's voice can be heard during a confrontation with Johnny Cage, culminating in a Fatality that recreates the thrilling truck chase scene from Terminator 2. Here, the T-1000 emerges from the truck to deliver a lethal barrage of gunfire to Cage.

The T-1000 will be available in Mortal Kombat 1 starting March 18 for early access to Khaos Reigns owners, with a broader release on March 25. Madam Bo will also be available on March 18 as part of a free content update for Khaos Reigns owners or as a standalone purchase.

As the final DLC character of the Khaos Reigns expansion, the T-1000 follows other notable additions like Cyrax, Sektor, Noob Saibot, Ghostface, and Conan the Barbarian. Speculation about a potential Kombat Pack 3 continues, fueled by questions regarding the sales performance of Mortal Kombat 1. However, Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company, remains committed to the Mortal Kombat franchise. CEO David Zaslav announced plans to focus on four key titles, including Mortal Kombat.

Madam Bo is set to enhance the Mortal Kombat 1 experience as a Kameo fighter. Ed Boon, the head of Mortal Kombat development, has assured fans that NetherRealm decided on its next project three years ago but remains dedicated to supporting Mortal Kombat 1 for the long haul.

While many speculate that NetherRealm might return to the Injustice series, neither the studio nor Warner Bros. has confirmed this. The Injustice series, which began with Injustice: Gods Among Us in 2013 followed by Injustice 2 in 2017, was expected to alternate with Mortal Kombat titles. However, the release of Mortal Kombat 11 in 2019 and the subsequent soft reboot, Mortal Kombat 1, in 2023, disrupted this pattern.

In a June 2023 interview with IGN, Boon discussed the decision to release another Mortal Kombat game, citing factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to Unreal Engine 4 from Unreal Engine 3 used in Mortal Kombat 11. He expressed the team's commitment to safety and their desire to return to the Injustice series in the future, firmly stating that the door is "not at all" closed on the franchise.