10 Most BRUTAL Mortal Kombat Story Mode Deaths
10 Most Brutal Mortal Kombat Story Mode Deaths
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at the most brutal story mode deaths in the “Mortal Kombat” series! We won’t be looking at fatalities, only deaths that occur in campaigns. Of course, that means spoilers lie ahead.
Kano
“Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks” (2005)
Of the handful of the “Mortal Kombat” spin-offs, “Shaolin Monks” is the best one. Set during the events of “Mortal Kombat II,” it follows Liu Kang and Kung Lao, defending Earthrealm from Outworld’s forces. And it has a few brutal deaths as well. First up is Kano, who’s an easy guy to want to see something terrible happen to. And although it happens off-screen, the aftermath is pretty gnarly. After his boss fight, Jax comes in for the final blow, knocking Kano onto a platform, which raises him up to be gnawed on by some unseen, but nonetheless hungry monster. The platform then lowers to show his bloodied remains.
Kung Lao
“Mortal Kombat” (2011)
Although it isn’t brutal in the sense that there’s a lot of blood, Kung Lao’s death in the 2011 reboot is brutal in another way. After you defeat a ton of story-heavy big bads, like Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, it seems things are going well. Which is when you should know that things are about to go South. Mid-victory speech, Kung Lao’s neck is snapped by Shao Kahn. The brutality comes in how suddenly it happens, catching you completely off guard. And you don’t even get the satisfaction of enjoying Liu Kang punching Shao Kahn through the chest, since he’s healed by Quan Chi. That guy is the worst.
Shinnok
“Mortal Kombat 11” (2019)
Okay, technically, this isn’t a death, since the Elder Gods can’t really die. But it’s pretty brutal and, by Raiden’s own words, a fate worse than death. So, it warrants a mention. At the end of “Mortal Kombat X,” Raiden delivers Shinnok’s severed, but still alive head, to Liu Kang and Kitana as a warning. And at the beginning of “Mortal Kombat 11,” you see a flashback of Raiden interrogating, and then decapitating Shinnok. Hearing his soft gurgles, unable to talk, while his face twitches, is pretty disturbing stuff.
Quan Chi
“Mortal Kombat X” (2015)
Yeah, he is the worst, and that’s why it’s so satisfying to see him get his comeuppance in this game. Quan Chi spends the whole game being one step ahead of everyone else, and pulling strings from the shadows. It takes until the end of the story, with Scorpion going through a whole host of heroes to reach him. And although it’s swift, it’s satisfying as hell. With a quick slice of the sword, Scorpion beheads him, though unfortunately not before he finishes a spell to free Shinnok. Not that the Elder God spends too much time being free, as we’ve already seen.
Shao Kahn
“Mortal Kombat” (2011)
Vengeance for Kung Lao eventually comes, and it’s pretty vicious. It’s Raiden who gets to deliver the final blow at the end of the game, though only after one of the most annoying final bosses in fighting game history. Imbued with the power of the Elder Gods, he unleashes it in the form of a horde of small, but savage, dragons, which then proceed to devour Shao Kahn alive. Of course, they’d find a way to bring Shao Kahn back later. But this was still a satisfyingly violent demise for the big bad.
Baraka
“Mortal Kombat X” (2015)
D’vorah’s debut in “Mortal Kombat X” rubbed some fans the wrong way. Which is kind of fair, considering, in her first appearance, she got to kill two iconic characters. The fact remains, though, those deaths are pretty brutal. The first is Baraka, which is a personal slight to me; D’vorah extends two bug-like tendrils, piercing one through his chest to remove his heart, and the other through his head to remove his brain. It’s a very classic, “Mortal Kombat”-style fatality; doesn’t make it easier to swallow, though.
Emperor Rain
“Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns” (2024)
Here’s the thing about Rain in the base game of “Mortal Kombat 1.” He’s kind of a tool. Just a minor villain, fighting for Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. But in “Khaos Reigns,” an alternate universe version of him appears who’s actually a pretty good guy. So, of course they had to brutally murder him. Havik traps him, Tanya, and Sektor in a room, where the walls begin closing in. He uses his abilities to keep the walls back while Sektor works on a way out. But with little time, Sektor can only pull Tanya to safety before the trap is successful, and crushes Rain with a horrifying crunch.
Kintaro
“Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks” (2005)
Kintaro is one of the last bosses you fight in “Shaolin Monks.” And just like his other appearances across the series, it’s still pretty intimidating facing a four-armed killing machine here, too. That must be why the devs gave him the most savage death in the game. Whether playing as Kung Lao or Liu Kang, the hero will take their time tearing off each of his limbs, as he’s powerless to stop him. And in a tremendous show of strength, they save his head for last. It feels good to overcome such a powerful warrior, and the devs knew to give him an over-the-top death.
Geras
“Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath” (2020)
Geras only made his debut in “Mortal Kombat 11,” so his death in the DLC doesn’t exactly sting. And he’s back in the next story anyway. Still, hoo boy, is it a savage one. In “Aftermath,” Geras makes the very unwise decision of confronting Shao Kahn and commanding him to go see his master, Kronika. After you defeat him, the former Emperor of Outworld takes up his Warhammer and beats Geras repeatedly in the head, caving it in before completely smashing it. Surely, Geras should have known better than to go up against someone like Shao Kahn alone.
Mileena
“Mortal Kombat X” (2015)
The more infamous of D’vorah’s two executions in “Mortal Kombat X,” there were some passionate players who felt this one was unearned. And unnecessarily barbaric, even in this series. After Mileena is captured, Kotal Kahn has her executed. D’vorah delivers the worst kiss of all time, regurgitating a horde of bugs into her mouth. And they are hungry little devils, making quick work of Mileena’s face and insides. It is, by far, the most gruesome kill that isn’t a fatality. And that’s part of the reason why Mileena fans feel she was done dirty. Horrid stuff, though.
What do you think is the most brutal death in the “Mortal Kombat” story modes? Are there any we left off? Sound off in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!