The many realms ofMortal Kombatand the dimensions ofInjusticeare filled to the brim with a multitude of diverse heroes, villains, and anti-heroes. From the selfless, fire-wielding Liu Kang to the hero turned tyrant Superman, characters of all kinds can be found throughout NetherRealm Studios’ fighting games. While some may not have as deep character motivations or faults compared toMortal KombatandInjustice’s main cast, each fighter offers players unique perspectives and fighting styles in both series’ conflict-focused campaigns. However,Mortal Kombat 1’s latest fighter, Ghostface, has offered something to players that few fighters have seldom done before: community debates on what their true identity is. NetherRealm should strive to create more mysterious characters like Ghostface in the future.
Mortal Kombat 1’s Ghostface Explained
Ghostface hails from the famous murder mystery and slasher film seriesScream. In eachScreamfilm, one or more Ghostfaces go on killing sprees against groups of teens and young adults typically connected to series protagonist Sidney Prescott.The identity of Ghostfacein each film is shrouded in mystery for both the protagonist and the audience, with the plot of each film centering around discovering who’s behind the Ghostface mask and stopping their murderous rampage. Ghostface dies in each film, keeping both the characters and audience on their toes for each subsequent film as they attempt to figure out who the next Ghostface is.
In November 2024, Ghostface joinedMortal Kombat 1’s roster as the latest DLC fighter to be introduced by the Khaos Reigns expansion and Kombat Pack 2. From the moment Ghostface was announced as a DLC fighter,Mortal KombatandScreamfans alike speculated on whom this Ghostface could be. Some expected them to be a new, original character similar toGhostface’s appearance inDead by Daylight, while others thought they were one of Ghostface’s identities from the films. It’s now clear thatMortal Kombat 1’s Ghostface is a group of three characters: Billy Loomis, one of the original Ghostfaces from the firstScreammovie, andMortal Kombat: Deception’s Black Dragon members, Kira and Kobra.
While Ghostface will have his mask on for most fights inMortal Kombat 1, certain Fatal Blows, Fatalities and Brutalities will tear Ghostface’s mask off, revealing Billy Loomis’ face.
The Allure of Mystery Characters in Future NetherRealm Games
In the months leading up toGhostface’s addition toMortal Kombat 1, many fans enjoyed speculating about the identity of Ghostface, as it brought a sense of intrigue and mystery to the fighter. NetherRealm could repeat this strategy by introducing more fighters with unknown identities that could be revealed later in the game or remain unknown forever. Besides Ghostface, NetherRealm already used this concealment strategy effectively inMortal Kombat 1’s base campaign by making Damashi appear to be Kronika reborn until it’s later revealed that she was actually Titan Shang Tsung.Injustice: Gods Among Ussimilarly concealed the identity of Earth-49’s Nightwing until later in the game where it’s revealed he’s Damian Wayne, not Dick Grayson.
Earth-49 already has a precedent of showcasing characters with concealed identities or alternate forms, such as the aforementioned Nightwing as well as Yellow Lantern Hal Jordan. IfInjustice 3turns out to be the next NetherRealm game, it could similarly introduce a masked or helmeted character whose true identity is revealed later in the game, akin to NIghtwing. This could be in the form of a new entirely masked Batman who appears in response to Bruce Wayne’s death as a result of Kevin Conroy’s passing, for example. NetherRealm could additionally add masked characters from other properties as DLC like a Power Ranger, as it’s done before in priorInjusticegames with Hellboy and Scorpion.
Potential Mystery Characters in Mortal Kombat 2
WithMortal Kombat 1being set in a new universe with alternate takes on characters, future NetherRealm games can reintroduce past characters as new masked or helmeted characters. For instance,Mortal Kombat 2could introduce a masked characterwho looks like Erron Black but later reveal that they’re Taven or some other fighter who has been unused in Titan Liu Kang’s timeline so far. NetherRealm could additionally create entirely new characters whose true identity remains a mystery to fellow characters and the players themselves. This could foster community engagement withMortal Kombatfans developing and sharing theories on whom the new fighter may be.
Mortal Kombat 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you’ll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you’ve never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
