How Mortal Kombat 1’s Conan The Barbarian Perpetuates a Strange Cycle

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the crossover of Conan the Barbarian into Mortal Kombat 1 is nothing short of a dream come true. Growing up in the ’80s, I vividly remember the cultural impact Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of Conan had on us all. It was only natural that the creators of Mortal Kombat would want to tap into that nostalgia, and they seem to have done so with impressive accuracy.

However, I can’t help but notice the uncanny parallels between Conan’s moveset in Mortal Kombat 1 and Tusk from Killer Instinct 2013. Now, I’m no detective, but it feels like there might be a referential loop happening here. It’s as if the creators of KI drew inspiration from Conan, then NetherRealm Studios took inspiration from KI when designing Conan for MK1. It’s almost like they passed the sword back and forth over the years!

And let me tell you, it’s a bit disconcerting to think that I might be fighting Tusk all over again, but under a different name this time. But hey, at least we can still appreciate the joke when Conan performs his Fatalities – “I’ll be back!” – classic!

In line with the tradition of blending iconic films from the past in its series, it’s been revealed that Conan the Barbarian will join the roster as a future character in Mortal Kombat 1. Modeled after Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of the character in the 1982 film, this version echoes the Terminator from Mortal Kombat 11, drawing on the nostalgia of the era that sparked the original Mortal Kombat. Interestingly, Conan’s influence on various media seems to have come full circle, suggesting that his gameplay design could be a nod to creators referencing their own work.

After showing Conan’s playstyle in Mortal Kombat 1, it’s evident that he bears some functional resemblances to Tusk from Killer Instinct. Although KI doesn’t directly mimic him, they both seem to employ a two-handed sword stance and numerous moves. Since these similarities are closely connected to the choreography of the Conan movie as much as they are to each other, this scenario highlights the far-reaching influence of the character across various media.

The Uncanny Parallels Between the Movesets of Mortal Kombat 1’s Conan the Barbarian and Killer Instinct 2013’s Tusk

NRS May Have Taken Inspiration From KI’s Viking Warrior

In the sneak peek for Conan the Barbarian within Mortal Kombat 1, it hints that he excels in up-close, extended combos while also maintaining a protective stance. This is primarily because of his move to deflect projectiles, which enhances his otherwise sword-centric, yet adaptable arsenal of attacks.

In the 2013 reboot of Killer Instinct, it’s not explicitly confirmed, but some believe that the new tools could be a tribute to Tusk. They share similar poses for regular attacks, and Tusk’s Spine Splitter special move’s ability to destroy projectiles gives a strong sense of resemblance. The charging thrust (Immortal Spirit) and uppercut (Conqueror) moves make it challenging to deny that NetherRealm Studios may have been influenced by Tusk when creating Conan. However, if they didn’t intentionally reference Tusk, there is still another level of connection due to Rare and Iron Galaxy already drawing inspiration from the cultural impact of Conan to start with.

Tusk’s Moveset Similarities Could Just Be Due to Being Originally Inspired by Conan the Barbarian

A Cyclical Pop Culture Influence on Western Fighting Games

It might not be immediately clear to newer gamers, but the poses and moves in Mortal Kombat have a lot of roots in the movie about Conan the Barbarian. It seems that the developers of Mortal Kombat may have taken inspiration from how Tusk was already well-represented in Killer Instinct, and then used that as a starting point to create a more accurate version of Conan the Barbarian for Mortal Kombat 1. Since these fighting games were once popular in arcades around the same time, it’s almost like the spirit of the dormant Killer Instinct franchise is being carried on by Conan acting as an updated version of Tusk for fans to revisit.

Balancing Building Upon Decades of Work and Being Derivative

As a longtime fan of Conan the Barbarian and video games, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement as I watch the latest teaser for the upcoming game. While it’s still unclear whether the animations on display are final, I’m hopeful that they truly capture the essence of my beloved character from Robert E. Howard’s stories. If Conan’s gameplay manages to make as significant an impact as the Ghostface in Mortal Kombat 1, it’s safe to say that I’ll be eagerly anticipating every reference to his source material, especially the iconic Fatalities and Animalities. Growing up with Conan stories has shaped a large part of my life, and seeing him brought to life in such a dynamic and engaging way is truly a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to see what the developers have in store for us!

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2024-12-30 22:24