Highlights
- Fans of Mortal Kombat 1 are upset over a locked chest in the Invasions mode that requires a DLC character to open.
- Some fans are worried that NetherRealm Studios may be returning to the controversial microtransaction-heavy practices of past games.
- The chest contains new gear for General Shao and Johnny Cage, forcing fans to purchase an extra character to obtain desired items.
Fans of Mortal Kombat 1 have expressed their concern and anger over a locked chest in the Invasions mode of the game that requires a DLC character to open. Mortal Kombat 1 was developed by NetherRealm Studios and released on September 19th, 2023, with most of the fanbase enjoying where the studio has taken the franchise. However, this recent microtransaction-based discovery has some fans worried that the studio may be going back to the controversial microtransaction-heavy ways of past games.
The newer games in the Mortal Kombat franchise have had a checkered past regarding monetization practices. When it was confirmed that Mortal Kombat 1 would have microtransactions earlier this year, many fans were worried that NetherRealm would repeat the same mistakes that were made with the DLC in Mortal Kombat 11. Mortal Kombat 1 introduces Invasion Mode, a seasonal single-player experience that involves players moving their characters around a game board. Fans believed that this content could be played without purchasing any DLC, but players have discovered that that’s not exactly the case.
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While playing Invasions mode, Reddit user T-Squeezy discovered a chest with a barrier that can only be destroyed by the player performing Shang Tsung’s second Fatality. Shang Tsung is a major villain in Mortal Kombat 1’s story, but is only available for the player to use as a DLC purchase or if they pre-ordered the game before it was initially released, locking everyone else out who just bought the base game. T-Squeezy expressed his concern in the post, pleading for NetherRealm not to make the same mistakes from the past with other fans in the comments echoing the same sentiment.
To make matters even worse, the prize inside the chest is new gear for General Shao and Johnny Cage. If the chest contained new gear for Shang Tsung, then it would at least make sense since the player would only want it if they had the DLC character. But for fans of General Shao and Johnny Cage, they need to purchase an extra character to get the desired gear.
Some fans have theorized that Shang Tsung was originally unlockable in Mortal Kombat 1 after beating the story, but then NetherRealm Studios went another direction prior to release, though that is purely speculation. This locked chest in Invasions mode could be proof in support of that theory, but it could just be a coincidence as well.
Mortal Kombat 1 is available now for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
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