Mortal Kombat is known for bloody brutality and spectacular kills, but it's also been around long enough to have a motley cast of characters, each with a unique twist that changes their playstyle in subtle (and not so subtle) ways. The eleventh numbered title in the series, Mortal Kombat 11, is introducing two returning characters, Mileena and Rain. Mainstays of the Mortal Kombat series, they'll arrive in the next MK11 DLC alongside action hero Rambo.
Originating in the original MK trilogy, Mileena and Rain each have a unique history that shows their place in the story of Mortal Kombat and explains their presence in Mortal Kombat 11. But, since they were originally introduced in the arcade titles of Mortal Kombat, newcomer fans may not know the details of their origins and stories.
Mileena originally appeared in Mortal Kombat 2. She is a genetic experiment by the sorcerer Shang Tsung. Created by splicing the DNA of Tarkatan and Edenian genetic material, Mileena is a hybrid clone of Kitana and shares much of her appearance with her "sister," save for a mouth twisted by rows of razor sharp teeth (similar to Baraka). Being the adopted daughter of Shao Kahn puts Mileena in the role of antagonist, but even without familial ties, her sadistic and malicious personality leads her to lash out and commit atrocities. Her combat style is rapid and brutal, making strong use of her twin sai to deliver flurries of rapid-fire attacks and of her brutally sharp teeth to slaughter in her Fatalities, amongst other attacks.
Originating in Mortal Kombat 3 as a joke character referencing the Prince song "Purple Rain," Rain is an Edenian prince who wouldn't become playable until Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. Rain is presented in a very similar appearance to the many ninjas that appear throughout the Mortal Kombat series, with golden accents and other regalities that fit his princely heritage and divine bloodline. Fitting to his name, the Edenian prince uses water and lightning as weapons to demolish foes and buff himself. His Fatalities range from using water to destroy an enemy from the inside out to otherwise destroying his opponent with water and lightning.
Originally left out of Mortal Kombat 11, Rain hasn't been a playable character since Mortal Kombat (2011), making this his sixth time being playable in the franchise. Mileena, however, has seen playability in almost every title in the Mortal Kombat franchise and often serves as an antagonist in the story mode. Mileena's initial disappearance between Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11 caused fans to begin speculating that the evil clone twin may be up to something. With these two rejoining the roster through DLC, it's almost time to see how the two veterans of the franchise will stack up alongside newcomer to the franchise, Rambo.
Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate is due to launch on November 17, 2020 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Google Stadia.