YOUR SOUL IS MINE!
[Update: NetherRealm Studios has released short profiles for each of the revealed characters, which include some surprising lore retcons and confirms that Spawn animated series actor Keith David will be voicing the underworld avenger. You can check the profiles out at the bottom of the article.]
After a tease yesterday and a literal 24-hour wait, NetherRealm has finally unveiled footage for Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 11. Along with giving us a glimpse of the sorcerer in action, we also have confirmation of another three characters that will be coming to the hugely successful fighter in the future. Series veterans Sindel and Nightwolf will be available as DLC alongside guest character Spawn, as was rumored a while back.
While this will probably sadden a lot of people, Shang Tsung’s move set borrows commands from Reptile, Ermac, Rain, and Smoke from Mortal Kombat 9. He seems to be a mish-mash of his build from that same game and a bunch of characters that will likely not be making a comeback anytime soon. Not letting go of ties to the film, actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa gives us his famous “YOUR SOUL IS MINE” line multiple times. The fatality is even a reference to the legendary Mortal Kombat II one. He looks like a blast.
If you nabbed the collector’s edition or the “Kombat Pack” season pass, you’ll be given one-week early-access to Shang Tsung on June 18. While the other characters aren’t given a timeframe or footage, the trailer above ends on the note that two more guest characters will be heading into the fray. The chainsaw sound effect is confusing if only because Ash Williams actor Bruce Campbell already deconfirmed the character. Maybe that was all a ruse or Leatherface could be returning. We’ll have to wait and see.
- Spawn – Todd McFarlane’s Spawn is one of the world’s best-selling and longest-running monthly comic books, with hundreds of millions of copies sold worldwide in more than 120 countries and 15 different languages. The Spawn comic book tells the story of Al Simmons, an elite government assassin who was betrayed and killed by the CIA. Instead of dying, he sells his soul to Hell for a second chance at life, and becomes Spawn, an unstoppable soldier fighting the underworld. Spawn is voiced by Keith David, the original voice actor from ‘Todd McFarlane’s Spawn,’ the Emmy award-winning HBO animated series.
- Shang Tsung – The soul-stealing sorcerer and historic host of the Mortal Kombat Tournament. Shang Tsung pledged his eternal loyalty to Shao Kahn in exchange for a dark power, but he is no faithful servant. He dreams of the day his sorcery will overtake Shao Kahn’s, and he’ll pay any price to get there. Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is lending his voice and likeness to the popular character he portrayed in the classic 1995 Mortal Kombat film.
- Nightwolf – Formerly known as Grey Cloud, was chosen by the Great Spirit to become the Matoka’s champion and protector. Grey Cloud proved worthy when he laid down his life to prevent the Black Dragon from plundering what remained of his tribe’s sacred artifacts. As Nightwolf, Grey Cloud possesses extraordinary magic granted by the Great Spirit to fight for the Matoka’s future and defend all of Earthrealm.
- Sindel – The former Queen of Edenia and will stop at nothing to keep her place. Threatened with the loss of her throne when Shao Kahn conquered her realm, Sindel betrayed her husband, and her people, to keep her privileged position. Now, as Shao Kahn’s wife and Queen of Outworld, she enjoys power and wealth beyond most people’s imagination.
Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack – Official Shang Tsung Gameplay Trailer [Mortal Kombat via YouTube]
