Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero
Encyclopedia
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero is a 1997 action-adventure game
spin-off
of the fighting game
series Mortal Kombat. It is the first Mortal Kombat game to feature side-scrolling gameplay. It was released for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64
. The storyline centers around the original Sub-Zero
in an adventure to defeat Quan Chi from retrieving an amulet that would free the fallen Elder God Shinnok. The PlayStation version features live-action cutscenes.
The events of Mythologies is set prior to the tournament in the original Mortal Kombat
, exploring the history of the original Sub-Zero and his nemesis Scorpion
, while foreshadowing the events of the subsequent fighting game in the series, Mortal Kombat 4
.
. The player controls Sub-Zero as they would in a fighting game, including the use of command-based special moves, to fight enemies and venture through levels. A "turn" button is used to change the direction Sub-Zero is facing, while an "action" button is used to pick up or use items. The player also has access to a status screen which keeps tracks of the players inventory, experience points, and special moves they gain during the game.
The player begins the game with a small health gauge and a limited number of extra lives. As the player progress through the game, they can gain experience points by performing combos against enemies, which are then used to increase their characters strength and gain access to special moves. An "ice meter" will appear after the player begins to acquire special moves. Special moves requires ice power in order to be performed. Health and ice power can be replenish by picking up items (although the ice meter will gradually replenish itself over time as well). The player will also need to retrieve key items. Passwords are used to keep track of the players progress.
Sub-Zero reached the temple and went through its many challenges and obstacles, eliminating the gods of Wind, Earth, Water, and Fire that protected the amulet. Just as Sub-Zero reached out for it, Quan Chi appeared and took the amulet, saying that it was actually the source of power for a fallen Elder God named Shinnok. Quan Chi disappeared through a portal, and the thunder god Raiden accused Sub-Zero, ordering him to go to the Netherealm to retrieve the amulet.
Sub-Zero was sent to the Netherealm and was immediately trapped in the Prison of Souls by Quan Chi's guards. There, he was met by the undead spectre of his archnemsis, Scorpion, who blamed Sub-Zero for the destruction of his clan and family. Although Scorpion couldn't die, he was beaten by Sub-Zero and forced to retreat. Sub-Zero escaped and fought Quan Chi's underlings: Kia, Sareena, and Jataaka. He killed Kia and Jataaka, but spared Sareena. Retrieving their transportation crystals, he was able to get to Quan Chi's fortress. Quan Chi then revealed to Sub-Zero that the only reason he was able to retain his mortality was because of the evil in his heart from being the ruthless assassin he had been known as. Suddenly, Sareena appeared and helped Sub-Zero defeat the sorcerer. She then begged Sub-Zero to take her away from the Netherealm, but she was quickly killed by Shinnok, who was now powered by his amulet. Using his cunning, Sub-Zero grabbed the amulet from Shinnok, who then morphed into a giant demon. Rather than facing certain death, Sub-Zero escaped through a portal created by Raiden, and delivered the amulet to the god. When Sub-Zero questioned what Quan Chi said to him, Raiden confirmed it, but reminded the young warrior that only he could change his own fate.
Returning to the Lin Kuei headquarters, Sub-Zero was once again hired by another sorcerer named Shang Tsung
. The Lin Kuei warrior was asked to compete in a tournament on Tsung's behalf. It was called Mortal Kombat...
as the second of the four guardians along with Wind God (Fujin), Water God and Fire God in order to protect Shinnok's amulet until he was eliminated by Sub-Zero. Due to his giant size towering over Sub-Zero, he has the ability to stomp the ground while stones of rocks fall from above.
, but was renamed "Sora" and was played by Renee Tenison
.
.gif)
Kia is one of the sub-bosses in Shinnok's Fortress in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and also a member of the Brotherhood of Shadow. She is one of three assassins serving under Quan Chi and Shinnok. In Mortal Kombat: Mythologies: Sub-Zero, she (or Jataaka) is the first of the assassins you face before you can receive the three crystals that power the teleporter to Quan Chi's lair. Gameplay-wise she is the least powerful of the trio but equal in speed to Jataaka. Her only weapon of choice is the razor shape boomerang. She, along with Sareena and Jataaka, reappears alongside Quan Chi in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
. She appeared in TV series Mortal Kombat: Konquest, but was renamed "Mika" and was played by Jaime Pressly
.
offices and consisted of five artists, two programmers and a sound designer. The graphics in Mombat Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero were created using many different techniques. While Sub-Zero and many of the more humanoid characters were created using Mortal Kombat
gave the PlayStation version a 7.5/10, saying, "Mythologies is a pretty amazing meld of fighting and platform jumping and is sure to please fans of Mortal Kombat and platform games alike". However, the N64 version received a 4.9/10 rating: "This one is only for the hardcore MK fans who don't already own PlayStations".
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
of the fighting game
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
series Mortal Kombat. It is the first Mortal Kombat game to feature side-scrolling gameplay. It was released for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
. The storyline centers around the original Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)
Sub-Zero is the name given to two video game characters from the Mortal Kombat series. The older Sub-Zero first appeared in the first Mortal Kombat game, being replaced by his younger brother in Mortal Kombat II and the subsequent games...
in an adventure to defeat Quan Chi from retrieving an amulet that would free the fallen Elder God Shinnok. The PlayStation version features live-action cutscenes.
The events of Mythologies is set prior to the tournament in the original Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat (video game)
Mortal Kombat is a 1992 fighting-game developed and published by Midway for arcades. In 1993, home versions were released by Acclaim Entertainment. Released in the Fall of 1994, the Microsoft Windows 3.1x version was released by Activision Interactive. It is the first title in the Mortal Kombat...
, exploring the history of the original Sub-Zero and his nemesis Scorpion
Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)
Scorpion is a recurring player and boss character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. He has been a playable character in all the games, with the exception of the original version of Mortal Kombat 3.-In video games:...
, while foreshadowing the events of the subsequent fighting game in the series, Mortal Kombat 4
Mortal Kombat 4
Mortal Kombat 4 is the fourth main game in the Mortal Kombat series of fighting video games developed by Midway Games. Released to arcades in 1997, Mortal Kombat 4 is the first title from the series to use 3D computer graphics as well as one of the first games that Midway made in 3D. Eurocom later...
.
Gameplay
Although Mythologies is classified as an action-adventure game, its play controls are very similar to the 2D Mortal Kombat fighting games. The player has four attack buttons, along with a block button and a run button like in Mortal Kombat 3Mortal Kombat 3
Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game developed by Midway and released in 1995, first as an arcade game. It is the third game in the Mortal Kombat series...
. The player controls Sub-Zero as they would in a fighting game, including the use of command-based special moves, to fight enemies and venture through levels. A "turn" button is used to change the direction Sub-Zero is facing, while an "action" button is used to pick up or use items. The player also has access to a status screen which keeps tracks of the players inventory, experience points, and special moves they gain during the game.
The player begins the game with a small health gauge and a limited number of extra lives. As the player progress through the game, they can gain experience points by performing combos against enemies, which are then used to increase their characters strength and gain access to special moves. An "ice meter" will appear after the player begins to acquire special moves. Special moves requires ice power in order to be performed. Health and ice power can be replenish by picking up items (although the ice meter will gradually replenish itself over time as well). The player will also need to retrieve key items. Passwords are used to keep track of the players progress.
Plot
Long ago, (before the events that took place in original Mortal Kombat) the Lin Kuei were hired by the sorcerer Quan Chi to steal a map of elements from a Shaolin temple. The Grandmaster sent his most cunning assassin, Sub-Zero, to do the job. Battling through the Shaolin monks who guarded the map, Sub-Zero reached the map room and was accosted by his rival, Scorpion. In a grueling battle, Sub-Zero mercilessly killed Scorpion and escaped the temple with the map. Back at the headquarters of the Lin Kuei, Sub-Zero delivered the map to Quan Chi, who had repaid the Lin Kuei by eliminating all the members of Scorpion's ninja clan the Shirai Ryu, the Lin Kuei's rival clan. Quan Chi also revealed he had hired Scorpion in case Sub-Zero has failed his mission, something that did not settle well with Sub-Zero. Retaining the Lin Kuei's services, Quan Chi had Sub-Zero follow the map to the Temple of Elements, where an amulet of "sentimental value" was resting.Sub-Zero reached the temple and went through its many challenges and obstacles, eliminating the gods of Wind, Earth, Water, and Fire that protected the amulet. Just as Sub-Zero reached out for it, Quan Chi appeared and took the amulet, saying that it was actually the source of power for a fallen Elder God named Shinnok. Quan Chi disappeared through a portal, and the thunder god Raiden accused Sub-Zero, ordering him to go to the Netherealm to retrieve the amulet.
Sub-Zero was sent to the Netherealm and was immediately trapped in the Prison of Souls by Quan Chi's guards. There, he was met by the undead spectre of his archnemsis, Scorpion, who blamed Sub-Zero for the destruction of his clan and family. Although Scorpion couldn't die, he was beaten by Sub-Zero and forced to retreat. Sub-Zero escaped and fought Quan Chi's underlings: Kia, Sareena, and Jataaka. He killed Kia and Jataaka, but spared Sareena. Retrieving their transportation crystals, he was able to get to Quan Chi's fortress. Quan Chi then revealed to Sub-Zero that the only reason he was able to retain his mortality was because of the evil in his heart from being the ruthless assassin he had been known as. Suddenly, Sareena appeared and helped Sub-Zero defeat the sorcerer. She then begged Sub-Zero to take her away from the Netherealm, but she was quickly killed by Shinnok, who was now powered by his amulet. Using his cunning, Sub-Zero grabbed the amulet from Shinnok, who then morphed into a giant demon. Rather than facing certain death, Sub-Zero escaped through a portal created by Raiden, and delivered the amulet to the god. When Sub-Zero questioned what Quan Chi said to him, Raiden confirmed it, but reminded the young warrior that only he could change his own fate.
Returning to the Lin Kuei headquarters, Sub-Zero was once again hired by another sorcerer named Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung is a boss and player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. A powerful and deadly sorcerer and a primary antagonist in the Mortal Kombat series, Shang Tsung is a shapeshifter who absorbs the souls of those he slays in order to maintain his youth and power...
. The Lin Kuei warrior was asked to compete in a tournament on Tsung's behalf. It was called Mortal Kombat...
Earth God
In Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, Earth God was assigned by RaidenRaiden (Mortal Kombat)
Raiden is a player character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Raiden, also known as Lord Raiden, is a thunder god of the Mortal Kombat universe and protector of Earthrealm. He commands many supernatural abilities such as the ability to teleport, control over lightning, and flight...
as the second of the four guardians along with Wind God (Fujin), Water God and Fire God in order to protect Shinnok's amulet until he was eliminated by Sub-Zero. Due to his giant size towering over Sub-Zero, he has the ability to stomp the ground while stones of rocks fall from above.
Water God
Water God appeared in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero as the third of the four guardians assigned by Raiden to protect Shinnok's amulet until he was beaten by Sub-Zero. His powers and abilities are mostly jets of water and waves.Fire God
Fire God appeared as the guardian of Shinnok's amulet in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero. Raiden assign him as the last of the four guardians to protect the amulet until Sub-Zero defeat him in battle. His powers and abilities are mostly flames of fire because of this, Sub-Zero couldn't freeze him.Jataaka
Jataaka appeared in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero as one of the sub-bosses in Shinnok's Fortress. Simultaneously, she is a member of the Brotherhood of Shadow and serves as one of three assassins to Quan Chi and Shinnok along with Sareena and Kia. In Mortal Kombat Mythologies:Sub-Zero, she is one of "... three female guardians in order to get the crystals that power the teleporter and give access to Quan Chi's lair." Gameplay-wise, she is as fast as Kia but more powerful. Her attacks in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero consist of launching laser bolts from her sword as well as a weapon she use to attack. She reappears in Mortal Kombat: ArmageddonMortal Kombat: Armageddon
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon is the seventh game in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The PlayStation 2 version was released in stores on October 11, 2006 while the Xbox version was released on the October 16, with a Wii version released on May 29, 2007 in North America.The game was not released...
Mortal Kombat: Konquest
Mortal Kombat: Konquest is an American martial arts television series that aired for one season from 1998 to 1999, and was based on the popular Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The program was filmed at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.-Storyline:"In each of us there burns a soul...
, but was renamed "Sora" and was played by Renee Tenison
Renee Tenison
Reneé Tenison is an American model and actress.Reneé has three older brothers and an identical twin sister, Rosie, who also works as a model...
.
Kia
Kerri Hoskins
Kerri Hoskins is a former glamour model and video game actress.Hoskins is best known for portraying Sonya Blade in several incarnations of the game beginning with Mortal Kombat 3. She toured the United States and Europe portraying Sonya Blade in the Mortal Kombat: Live Tour, appearing at venues...
. She appeared in TV series Mortal Kombat: Konquest, but was renamed "Mika" and was played by Jaime Pressly
Jaime Pressly
Jaime Elizabeth Pressly is an American actress and model. She is best known for playing Joy Turner on the NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl, for which she was nominated for two Emmy Awards, winning one, as well as a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award...
.
Development
The making of Mombat Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero spanned about 14 months from start to finish. The main design team was located at Midway's ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
offices and consisted of five artists, two programmers and a sound designer. The graphics in Mombat Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero were created using many different techniques. While Sub-Zero and many of the more humanoid characters were created using Mortal Kombat
Reception
Despite its less-than-favorable reception, Mythologies was a million-seller worldwide, with 850,000 sales alone in the United States. GameSpotGameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
gave the PlayStation version a 7.5/10, saying, "Mythologies is a pretty amazing meld of fighting and platform jumping and is sure to please fans of Mortal Kombat and platform games alike". However, the N64 version received a 4.9/10 rating: "This one is only for the hardcore MK fans who don't already own PlayStations".