Summary
Kombat Pack DLC character Peacemaker has recently arrived inMortal Kombat 1, and he’s continuing a growing legacy of guests in NetherRealm Studios releases. With a performance from John Cena and a moveset that manages to stay true toThe Suicide Squad, the inclusion of Peacemaker is one of the most accurate portrayals of a character from another IP thatMKhas yet received. He has maintained the bar of quality set by the existing fighters fromMortal Kombat 1’s first Kombat Pack, but Peacemaker also hearkens back to previous games when compared to his peers.
As they’ve become more prevalent in NRS games sinceMK9, the franchise’s guest characters have grown in importance to the extent that two of the latest game’s three DLC fighters have shared this distinction. Peacemaker falls under the comic book genre alongside Omni-Man, but might be an even truer depiction due to originating from live-action source material. Quan Chi stands alone as the sole returning fighter fromMortal Kombat’s history so far, but the archetype that his moveset belongs to is one that Peacemaker players will find familiar.
Peacemaker is a More Accessible Zoner Than Quan Chi
The Relative Simplicity of Utilizing Peacemaker’s Projectiles
As a character who uses the straightforward tools of his firearm and helmet, Peacemaker’s ability to pressure the opponent at fullscreen is natural given how he’s been portrayed in bothThe Suicide Squadand his own show. He has a few moves aimed at charging the opponent, but the concept of projectiles is so ingrained intoPeacemaker’sMK1movesetthat it even includes a gun in one of his normals. His partner Eagly further emphasizes the character’s strength at longer ranges, but he’s not as purely dedicated to the zoner archetype as the previous DLC character.
Quan Chi’s Portals and Traps Add Layers of Depth to His Zoning
He has the typical suite of projectile special moves that can approach the opponent from various angles, but what really setsQuan Chi inMK1apart is his set of portal specials that can enhance his other moves or utilize other properties. Through the various properties he can apply to his specials on top of enhancing them with meter, Quan Chi is able to create unpredictable scenarios where his offense can become overwhelming in the right hands. A character like Peacemaker doesn’t lean as heavily into complex ranged setups, but he’s not nearly as physical asMortal Kombat 1’s other comic book anti-hero.
Peacemaker Borrows From Previous NRS Fighters More Than Omni-Man
Omni-Man’s Viltrumite Physiology is Unmatched
They might both hail from comic books, but there’s a stark difference between the abilities ofa Viltrumite like Omni-Manand the human-like Peacemaker. In classicMKfashion, however, this power gap is bridged for the sake of cohesive gameplay, but Peacemaker’s signature reliance on technology helps to make that more believable. While he can close the gap relatively quickly and support combos with his Sonic Boom, Peacemaker doesn’t come close to the level of aggressiveness found in Omni-Man’s teleport-esque supersonic movements.
Characters Like Terminator and Robocop’s Heavy Influence on Peacemaker Explained
As one can see, there are several similarities between the moveset of Peacemaker and previous characters from the previousMortal Kombatgame and beyond. He has animations that evoke traits ofMortal Kombatguest characterslike Terminator and Robocop, along with what may be some of The Atom fromInjustice 2, butMortal Kombat 1’s lack of those gameplay styles potentially allows him to appeal to NRS fans outside his guest status. It’s undeniably refreshing that Omni-Man was able to bring a different take on Superman from what the studio has already worked on, but calling back to pastMKfighters has set Peacemaker apart despite also coming from superhero media.
