Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermathadds a whole new section to the story in addition to thethree new characters, stages, stage fatalities, and friendships. Taking place immediately after the base game’s conclusion, it follows Nightwolf,Shang Tsung, and Fujin as they travel back in time to prevent catastrophe.
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In trueMortal Kombatfashion, the plot is packed with twists and turns. It can be difficult to keep all the plot beats in order, but the following list will sort out the most important facts. Understanding the events ofAftermathalso helps one more clearly see where the series is possibly headed in the future.
10How Nightwolf, Fujin, and Shang Tsung Come Back
Despite their deaths in the prior games, the three main characters ofAftermathcome back without so much as a scratch on them. This is because they were plucked from time by Kronika in an attempt to recruit them for her timeline-resetting scheme. When they refused, she banished them to a void. Only after her defeat were they able to escape imprisonment.
9Why The Crown Of Souls Is So Important
The three travel to the end of the base game to stop Fire GodLiu Kangfrom breaking the hourglass without Kronika’s Crown of Souls. If he breaks it without having the headgear, he will be unable to reset the timeline and likely end existence.
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Despite Shang Tsung’s track record, the heroes feel they have no choice but to trust the sorcerer and send him back in time to retrieve the crown.
8Why They Revive Sindel
The trio land back in time right after past and present merge in the base game and Kitana assaultsShao Kahn’sarmy. This alerts Kronika to their presence, who sends her daughter, Cetrion, to deal with the nuisance. Predicting this play by their enemy, Shang Tsung feels the only way to safely make it to his island and confront the goddess is to revive Sindel. Little did others know, Shang Tsung had other, more nefarious reasons for reviving Sindel.
7Why Raiden Is Powerless In The Intro
Aftermathbegins right where the base game ends.Raidenis, curiously, without his powers.
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Given the year-long gap between the original release and expansion, it is easy to forget how he merged his powers with Liu Kang to grant the warrior his new status as the Fire God. It is unknown what this means for the character in the series' future, however. AMortal Kombatwithout Raiden would certainly shake things up.
6Sindel’s Origin
All this time everyone believed Sindel to be a victim of Shao Kahn’s conquest. However, shortly after her revival, she rescues him and ultimately reveals her willing participation in the downfall of Edenia and King Jerrod, her first husband. This comes as a shock to everyone, who at worst expected Shang Tsung to brainwash her. For fans, it changes a story the games told for more than twenty years.
5Kitana Kahn
People refer to Kitana as Kahn during the story. For those who may have forgotten, inMortal Kombat 11she finally mounts a successful assault against Shao Kahn and takes over his throne. She is reluctant at first because of her age and inexperience, but ultimately accepts the position. Unfortunately, this leads to her downfall duringAftermath.
4Shang Tsung’s Betrayal
Most expected this, but Shang Tsung plays friendly for a while before showing his cards. Kronika reveals their previous partnership and Shang Tsung’s hand in creating the crown, though the protagonists still work with him after this. Because he knows the true story behind Sindel’s origins, he uses hers and Shao Kahn’s scheme to weaken the forces of good. Once the two serve their purpose, he steals their souls and takes the crown for himself.
3Nightwolf’s Death
Nightwolf speaks about dying before the events of the game, and it is brought up again once they talk about Sindel. InMortal Kombat 9from 2011, Quan Chi revives Sindel. Shortly after, Shao Kahn steals Shang Tsung’s soul and infuses it with Sindel to make her even more powerful. The revived former queen of Edenia is moments away from killing Kitana, her own daughter, before Nightwolf sacrifices himself to stop her.
2Chaosrealm
Upon first encountering the immortal Geras, Shang Tsung banishes him to the Chaosrealm and mentions Havik. Fans of the three games prior toMortal Kombat Vs. DC Universewill recognize this name as a character introduced inMortal Kombat: Deception.
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The new characters fromDeadly Alliance,Deception, andArmageddonare not as celebrated, but Havik is fondly remembered, so the brief lip service is a nice shoutout to fans. Perhaps he’ll make a return in the future.
1Fire God Liu Kang’s Ending
The expansion has two endings, one of which has Shang Tsung winning and the other has Liu Kang reigning victorious and resetting the timeline. The final scene of the latter ending sees Liu Kang approach Kung Lao and choose him as Earthrealm’s champion. However, this is not the Kung Lao players are familiar with, but instead the Great Kung Lao, Liu Kang and his cousin’s ancestor. Does this imply that a futureMortal Kombatwill be aprequel?
Next:10 References In Mortal Kombat 11 That Only Make Sense If You Played The Original Games
