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

NetherRealm Studios, the developer behind Mortal Kombat 1, has unveiled the first gameplay footage for the T-1000, a highly anticipated DLC guest character from the Terminator franchise. Alongside this, they've confirmed the addition of Madam Bo as a DLC Kameo fighter, much to the delight of fans.

The T-1000's gameplay is a nostalgic nod to the iconic scenes from Terminator 2, featuring attacks such as blade and hook arms that resemble the moves of Mortal Kombat characters Baraka and Kabal. One striking move shows the T-1000 transforming into a liquid metal blob before executing an uppercut similar to Glacius from Killer Instinct.

Adding authenticity to the character, the T-1000 is voiced by Robert Patrick, who portrayed the character in the 1991 film. The teaser showcases Patrick's voice in a confrontation with Johnny Cage, culminating in a Fatality that recreates the thrilling truck chase from Terminator 2. In this Fatality, the T-1000 emerges from the driver's seat as a liquid metal blob and unleashes a barrage of bullets at Johnny Cage.

In a surprise move, NetherRealm also announced that Madam Bo, a fan-favorite from the Mortal Kombat 1 base story, will join the game as a Kameo fighter simultaneously with the T-1000. Known for her role as a tough elderly restaurant owner who defends herself against Smoke and his thugs, Madam Bo's brief gameplay appearance in the teaser shows her assisting the T-1000 in combat.

The T-1000 will be available in Mortal Kombat 1 starting March 18 during the early access period for Khaos Reigns owners, with a wider release on March 25. Madam Bo will be accessible on March 18 as a free update for Khaos Reigns owners or as a standalone purchase.

As the final DLC character in the Khaos Reigns expansion, the T-1000 joins a roster that includes Cyrax, Sektor, Noob Saibot, Ghostface, and Conan the Barbarian. While fans speculate about a potential Kombat Pack 3, questions linger about Mortal Kombat 1's sales performance.

Despite this, Warner Bros. Discovery remains committed to the Mortal Kombat franchise. In November, CEO David Zaslav announced plans to focus on four key titles, with Mortal Kombat being one of them.

In September, Ed Boon, the head of Mortal Kombat development, revealed that NetherRealm had chosen its next project three years ago but assured continued support for Mortal Kombat 1. Speculation among fans leans towards a new installment in the Injustice series, although no official confirmation has been made by NetherRealm or Warner Bros. The Injustice series, starting with Injustice: Gods Among Us in 2013 and followed by Injustice 2 in 2017, has been a significant part of NetherRealm's portfolio.

After releasing Mortal Kombat 11 in 2019, the studio opted for another Mortal Kombat title, the soft reboot Mortal Kombat 1, in 2023 instead of alternating to Injustice as previously expected. In a June 2023 interview with IGN, Boon cited multiple factors behind this decision, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the switch to a newer version of the Unreal game engine (from Unreal Engine 3 used in Mortal Kombat 11 to Unreal Engine 4 in Mortal Kombat 1).

Boon emphasized the studio's commitment to safety during the pandemic and their desire to work with the new graphics engine. He also confirmed that the door is not closed on the Injustice franchise, reassuring fans that future developments remain possible.