Mortal Kombat 1 Gives a Longstanding Franchise Villain a Tragic Twist

The Mortal Kombat 1 reboot has made a massive retcon to a fan-favorite bloodthirsty villain, teasing a more human, sympathetic story to come.

In the clever and brutal Mortal Kombat franchise, Baraka is undoubtedly one of the most iconic villains, even though he doesn't have the final boss pomp as Shao Kahn or Shang Tsung. Fans have nevertheless absolutely loved his design and dogged mentality over the years.

Given the blades in Baraka's hands, how swift he is as a fighter, and how easy his combos are to execute, it's understandable why he's so popular. Interestingly, with Mortal Kombat 1 rebooting the entire series, Baraka now has a vastly different backstory that gives him a tragic twist that'll leave loyalists hoping Baraka cuts his enemies to pieces on his new mission.

Mortal Kombat 1 Makes Baraka Sympathetic

Initially, Mortal Kombat II depicted Baraka as one of Shao Kahn's generals. As the franchise evolved, he was said to be part of a group of mutants known as Tarkatans. They were hybrids: part Netherworld demons, part Outworlders. But this was soon retconned, with his clan being refined as folks Shao Kahn enslaved. The exalted Emperor annexed their region, baiting the species over to become his dogs of war—something Baraka thoroughly enjoyed in time.

MK1 gives Baraka more agency and purpose, shifting him from being a bloodthirsty flesh-eater. The Umgadi trailer confirms Baraka and his people contracted the Tarkat plague, which mutates and turns them into bloodthirsty monsters. It adds nuance to their tribe, making them more than just cannibals who were strong-armed into battle. Further information from Ed Boon's team confirms Baraka was a merchant who was exiled after becoming sick, joining others who were afflicted.

It teases other people uniting as Baraka becomes a freedom fighter wanting to help create a better life for them. Sadly, the trailer also has Baraka's people being experimented on, as the Umgadi seek a cure for Mileena after she contracts the disease as well. The clip foreshadows Mileena's monstrous turn, making Baraka's kind vital to her survival literally. However, he won't like how his people—and whoever else they find seeking haven—are being used as test subjects. This gives Baraka a higher calling and paints him as a necessary champion in a time of oppression, xenophobia, and hatred.

Mortal Kombat 1 Changes Baraka and Mileena's Dynamic

The new world created by the Fire God in Liu Kang is definitely fresh. Having Mileena go from a mutated Kitana clone to a victim of circumstance is quite interesting. It shapes her as someone to feel for, but also someone fans won't like seeing benefit from the deaths of innocents. That duality will play on the humanity within, and the repressed monster waiting to be unleashed.

Coincidentally, this has been a big part of Baraka and Mileena's past relationship. Previous iterations had Baraka as Mileena's consort, following her orders blindly. Now, though, that romance is gone, as Mileena has a romance with Tanya. This undoes her and Baraka being killers and lovers bonded in blood. That said, there's still a chance Mileena is banished or runs away once her people find out she's infected. It can lead to them having a deeper friendship down the line.

That way, Baraka may not be able to save her physically once she leaves the royal court, but he might be able to heal her mentally. Ironically, it'd remix how Liu Kang and Kitana found kindred spirits in each other, vowing to protect all the realms. Ultimately, Baraka and Mileena may end up with a smaller mission, protecting outcasts suffering. In the process, at least Baraka would end up becoming the hero no one ever predicted, leaving gamers pleasantly unsure of what to expect from Mortal Kombat 1.

Mortal Kombat 1 will be released on Sept. 19, 2023, for the PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.