History YMMV / MortalKombat1

** While both characters already had their fans, the New Era's versions of Baraka and Reptile both received a lot of positive attention for their more [[AdaptationalSympathy sympathetic]] and [[AdaptationalHeroism heroic]] characterizations, despite their relatively brief roles in the story. That [[TheWoobie both characters are also very tragic figures]] and Reptile gets a case of AdaptationalAttractiveness doesn't hurt.

** The New Era version of Khameleon already got a lot of fans ever since her brief "reveal" in the Umgadi trailer. Plenty are hoping she becomes a proper character at some point either as DLC or a future game.

*** Even fewer people expected [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception Darrius]] to be included as a Kameo Fighter, especially since he hadn't made a proper appearance since ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatArmageddon Armageddon]]''.
*** Even more 3D-era characters make their return with Havik and Ashrah becoming part of the main roster and Sareena as a Kameo revealed in the "Banished" trailer.

** Even more people who watched the Umgadi trailer were taken aback by a surprise [[{{Pun}} kameo]] appearance from Khameleon, who not only hadn't been seen in the series since ''Armageddon'', but it's the first time she appears outside of a Nintendo console (she was exclusive to the Platform/Nintendo64's version of ''Trilogy'', and to the [[Platform/{{Wii}} Nintendo Wii]]i's version of ''Armageddon''). While her outfit was only shown in yellow, those who analyzed said footage noticed her attire was one-to-one with her Armageddon design.

*** Along with Nitara being confirmed as a playable character for the first time in 17 years since ''Armageddon'', it's been confirmed that she'll be played by none other than Creator/MeganFox.
*** The launch trailer confirms another character who hasn't been playable since ''Armageddon''. This time, it's Reiko.

** Reptile's natural Zaterran form was met with slight criticism, some comparing it to the Lizard from ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan''.
** Sub-Zero has a [[https://www.mortalkombatonline.com/t/mk1/regional-mortal-kombat-1-sub-zero-tanya-skins-revealed/BwAaoFQ2w1P4 Day Of The Dead]] costume that's exclusive to Latin American players at launch, with fans in that region and others confused why it's not a skin for ''Kung Lao'' due to the sombrero he's wearing.
** Scorpion's ''Deadly Alliance'' skin goes with the decision to give him a burning skull head instead of his usual ninja mask which has been seen as baffling by plenty of players. It's also been criticized for not allowing for mask customization due to said head change.

* AbandonShipping: While the ship is still popular when discussing prior timelines, many Kuai Liang x Tomas Vrbada shippers abandoned the ship without hesitation, at least in regards to the New Era, when it was revealed that the two are now [[RelatedInTheAdaptation adoptive brothers]].

** Despite being thoroughly unpleasant, a lot of Sub-Zero's actions are ripe with other alternate interpretations which can make him look a little more understandable and giving him a bit of nuance rather than 'a {{Jerkass}} played completely straight':

* AuthorsSavingThrow: Quan Chi was considered [[LowTierLetdown flat-out the weakest character in the game]] when he dropped thanks to his abysmal defense and limited setplay for a character nominally designed around it. While he still struggles on the backfoot, the Peacemaker patch allowed his Bone Cage to activate on block, giving him more opportunities to set up his portal specials. Said portals also got significant buffs: he gains a new portal that drains his opponents Super Meter and gives him one hit of armor when he's drained enough meter, the repelling portal has significantly increased duration and he is no longer limited to having 1 portal out at a time. Time will tell if this is enough to make him competitively viable but it at least has sharpened his strong points and made him more fun to play.

** Even more people who watched the Umgadi trailer were taken aback by a surprise [[{{Pun}} kameo]] appearance from Khameleon, who not only hadn't been seen in the series since ''Armageddon'', but it's the first time she appears outside of a Nintendo console (she was exclusive to the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64's version of ''Trilogy'', and to the UsefulNotes/NintendoWii's version of ''Armageddon''). While her outfit was only shown in yellow, those who analyzed said footage noticed her attire was one-to-one with her Armageddon design.

* ContestedSequel: ''Mortal Kombat 1'' is perhaps the most polarizing game in the series, to date. In one camp, the game features the tried-and-true gameplay used since ''[=MK9=]'', a lively and diverse roster including several characters that haven't been playable since ''Armageddon'', and an engaging base story mode that acts as as a compelling SoftReboot of the franchise, seen by most as [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel definitely a step up from the intensely polarizing storyline]] of ''11''. In the other camp, the game suffers from its lack of post-campaign single-player content, poor online (keep in mind that the game requires online connection even for the single-player modes), overpriced microtransactions, and the highly polarizing Invasion mode. [[AssistCharacter The Kameo Fighter system]] that defines this title's gameplay is also greatly divisive, either seen as a breath of fresh air that opens up the floodgates for more player expression and creativity regarding their play styles, or seen as too limited when compared to the likes of [[StanceSystem Variations]] or customizable move sets with a steep skill floor.

* ContestedSequel: ''Mortal Kombat 1'' is perhaps the most polarizing game in the series, to date. In one camp, the game features the tried-and-true gameplay used since ''[=MK9=]'', a lively and diverse roster including several characters that haven't been playable since ''Armageddon'', and an engaging base story mode that acts as as a compelling SoftReboot of the franchise, seen by most as [[SurprisinglyImprovedSequel definitely a step up from intensely polarizing storyline]] of ''11''. In the other camp, the game suffers from its lack of post-campaign single-player content, poor online (keep in mind that the game requires online connection even for the single-player modes), overpriced microtransactions, and the highly polarizing Invasion mode. [[AssistCharacter The Kameo Fighter system]] that defines this title's gameplay is also greatly divisive, either seen as a breath of fresh air that opens up the floodgates for more player expression and creativity regarding their play styles, or seen as too limited when compared to the likes of [[StanceSystem Variations]] or customizable move sets with a steep skill floor.

* ContestedSequel: ''Mortal Kombat 1'' is perhaps the most polarizing game in the series, to date. Fans of the game will point to the tried-and-true gameplay system used since ''MK 9'' and the roster including several characters that haven't been playable since ''Armageddon.'' The detractors will bring up the poor online, (keep in mind that the game requires online even for the single-player modes) and over-priced microtransactions. Then there's the Invasions mode, which in itself has mixed opinions.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot:
** Several arcade endings of ''11'' mentioned that Kronika was just one of several Titans, beings even stronger and older than the Elder Gods. This game doesn't explore that in any way, [[spoiler:and the only Titans to appear are just uplifted variants of the known roster]].
** There's a bit of the fanbase who feels the overall premise of a new era wasn't lived up to, because all that really changes is the backgrounds and good/evil alignments of some characters. That's ''aside'' from the reveal that [[spoiler:the mastermind behind events was Titan Shang Tsung from the last game, so the final boss is recycled too]]. Overall, there are not many drastic changes.

** [[spoiler: Rain's flooding of the Seido capital serves as this both for him and Havik. The former is [[MyGodWhatIHaveDone horrified at what he had done]] and becomes determined to atone for his crime- only to be rebuffed and considered irredeemable by most characters. As for the latter, Havik gleefully celebrates the destruction and, as a result, is dismissed as nothing but a power-hungry madman by several opponents, [[VillainRespect with General Shao being the only one to compliment him for and approve of the act]].]]

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: Several arcade endings of ''11'' mentioned that Kronika was just one of several Titans, beings even stronger and older than the Elder Gods. This game doesn't explore that in any way, [[spoiler:and the only Titans to appear are just uplifted variants of the known roster]].

* AssPull: Late into the game, General Shao attacks Liu Kang and his allies with [[spoiler:the Amulet of Shinnok]]. He uses it to trap four of them within it, then after he's defeated in the following match, Liu Kang frees them and it vanishes from the story without further mention. It's not known where Shao even got it, because both Geras and Liu Kang claim it shouldn't exist in this timeline and give a quick HandWave "its creator is powerless". Despite [[spoiler:Shinnok's amulet]] being a relic of great importance in both the original timeline and the rebooted trilogy, and its existence in this timeline being a huge question mark with massive implications for the cosmology of the new era, it is used simply as a convenient way to incapacitate a few members of the cast for a single, brief cutscene, with no explanation of where it came from or what happened to it afterwarad

** While fans approve that the pre-fight intros are much quicker and snappier than in ''X'' and ''11'', what hasn't made fans happy is them being relegated to only being before Versus mode matches. Meaning you won't see them in any other gameplay mode.

** [[spoiler: Bi-Han being an ambitious jerk since the beginning is something that the heroes can still tolerate, which even includes his AdoptionDiss on Tomas. It's only after he decides to initiate a power grab for his own ambition offered by Shang Tsung by betraying the Earthrealm and revealing to his family that he let his father die to become the Grandmaster that practically everyone amongst the Earthrealm defenders is at best 'severely disappointed' (Liu Kang and Ashrah) or 'seriously wants his head' at worst (Kuai Liangand Mileena), while [[EvenEvilHasStandards even other villains look at him with disgust for his betrayal of both sides]]. It's the turning point for Bi-Han where it becomes clear that his AdaptationalVillainy is for real, and it's also something Bi-Han is aware of and gladly accepted: He knows that everyone will treat him as a vile traitor, but he shows no regrets or doubts in his new role and path he walks on.]]

*** In Chapter 3, after Raiden defeats Johnny and moves on to fight Kenshi, Johnny and Kenshi briefly face each other while walking opposite directions, in ''slow motion'' no less.
*** There are a few scenes where they can be seen standing next to each other, such as when watching Raiden and Kung Lao's deciding match on who will be the champion representing Earthrealm.
*** [[spoiler:Johnny screams out Kenshi's name in horror as he witnessed him getting his eyes gouged out by Mileena. Then when the heroes are thrown into the prison in Shang Tsung's lab, the first thing Johnny does after waking up is worryingly checking up on Kenshi, in which later Johnny rips a strip of cloth applied with salve to put around where Kenshi's eyes once were. The fact that Kenshi's blindfold originate from a part of Johnny's armor indicates that Johnny is now associated with the core part of Kenshi's design in this timeline.]]
*** [[spoiler:Just before the heroes move to confront Quan Chi, Johnny gently stops a willing-to-fight Kenshi from joining the fray to protect him, even handing over Sento, which cost Cage ''three million dollars'', without prompting.]]
*** A pre-fight intro between Kenshi and Sindel has the latter call the former Earthrealm's "greatest swordsman", a boast Kenshi sheepishly attributes to Johnny, which says volumes about how highly Johnny has come to think of Kenshi. In return, as proof that Kenshi has grown to appreciate Johnny, one of his announcer intros has him calling Johnny “Hollywood’s best actor”.

** The Deadly Alliance is formed once more in this new era, and the two sorcerers seem to genuinely enjoy each other’s company and don’t have any noticeable intentions of betraying each other. In fact, [[spoiler: Titan Shang Tsung and Quan Chi even formed a deadlier alliance, and they seem to get along quite well with their matched mischievousness. Titan Shang Tsung even brought the New Era's Deadly Alliance together, essentially playing matchmaker, seemingly because he and Quan Chi just get along ''that'' well.]]

** [[spoiler: Bi-Han being an ambitious jerk since the beginning is something that the heroes can still tolerate, which even includes his AdoptionDiss on Tomas. It's only after he decides to initiate a power grab for his own ambition offered by Shang Tsung by betraying the Earthrealm and revealing to his family that he let his father die to become the Grandmaster that practically everyone amongst the Earthrealm defenders is at best 'severely disappointed' (Liu Kang) or 'seriously wants him dead' at worst (Kuai Liang), while [[EvenEvilHasStandards even other villains look at him with disgust for his betrayal of both sides]]. It's the turning point for Bi-Han where it becomes clear that his AdaptationalVillainy is for real, and it's also something Bi-Han is aware of and gladly accepted: He knows that everyone will treat him as a vile traitor, but he shows no regrets or doubts in his new role and path he walks on.]]

** The New Era version of Khameleon may only be a story mode designated Kameo for Tanya in a few fights but she's already gotten a lot of fans ever since her brief "reveal" in the Umgadi trailer. Plenty are hoping she becomes a proper character at some point either as DLC or a future game.

** The New Era version of Khameleon may only be a story mode designated Kameo for Tanya in a few fights but she's already gotten a lot of fans ever since her brief "reveal" in the Umgadi trailer. Plenty are hoping she becomes a proper Kameo or full character at some point.

* ImprovedSecondAttempt: Geras was among the better-received newcomers in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11'', but he was still frequently seen as [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter severely underutilized]], with a bog-standard brawler/grappler gameplay style that didn't take advantage of his [[TimeMaster time]] and [[SandBlaster sand]] powers, and [[FlatCharacter his characterization not having much more than "a jobber who's loyal to Kronika"]]. His appearance here, meanwhile, has been widely considered an improvement as NRS put more effort in capitalizing on Geras' theme, with his much more advanced kit earning praise for its creativity and DifficultButAwesome potential, and plot-wise -- while he's still not a major player ([[TheUnfought and he isn't even fought in the story mode]]) -- Geras still earned more fans as a noble and loyal NumberTwo to Liu Kang in fostering the New Era.

** In ''9'' through ''11'' as long as you knew the input of a character's second fatality it would permanently unlock in their move list even if you didn't discover it in game. That isn't the case here. Due to the character mastery system a character's second fatality won't unlock in a character's move list until that character reaches level 14, even if you perform it before that. It's worse with the guest characters, as they have to reach level 20 to get theirs.

* MagnificentBastard: Shang Tsung again is diabolical as always, yet so smug and charming. The schemer's always smirking at whatever conflicts arise throughout the timelines, raising his zest to astronomical levels.