Remember the horrendous MK 2021 "Reiko"

@kvincent0593

2 ай бұрын

Aihhhh, the PAIN

@zackxeno1019

2 ай бұрын

AAAAAAUUUUGH

@SlickSkuddy

2 ай бұрын

He’s definitely a cool lieutenant type character with potential to be a main villain imo

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

AAii, mommy!!

@syki-tp1tn

2 ай бұрын

He was the only character who didn't improve at all through the 2016, 18 and 2019 scripts. He was hulk with a hammer,NO! At least hulk looks fucking dope and has the flare and screams out words not groan like someone who is shitting out his guts. I am one of the few who appreciate that movie but not that Reiko.

I actually adore Reiko in mk1. Lot of ppl really seem to love him. Shao being adoptive father of war orphan and grooming him to further delve into war and following his father devotly into war was actually pretty fun.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

And then he loses to a peasant boy.

@jaidora

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlockthat’s where I think they dropped the ball, granted he’s supposed to lose because of story progress but it definitely could’ve been handled better. Here’s just one example I’m ashamed to admit I’ve spent too much time thinking out, Reiko shows up but doesn’t say anything and stares down at his opponents. Johnny makes a snarky comment only for Reiko to throw a single shuriken and catch it before lands. The fight begins and all of Raiden’s simple hand to hand attacks misses, forcing him to use the medallion and his new lightning powers to even out his odds. It’s a mouthful but as much as I like him and main Reiko, the mysterious ninja debut from MK 4 was the best approach next to the cancelled MK X comic series.

@mythic7321

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlockHe actually wasn’t ready for Raiden to have thunder powers

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@mythic7321 Which, in a way, makes Liu Kang a cheater.

@CoralCopperHead

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock He definitely should've told Sindel, but with all things considered, knowing that Earthrealm has literal gods, I wouldn't be surprised if Reiko was the only one who realized the powers came from an amulet instead of something like MKX!Cage's green energy whackjobbery.

"depression but green" lmao

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Best definition of Reptile.

It honestly sucks liking side characters in fighting games cause the developers make them really cool, but never seem like they want to utilize them properly. Now I’m mad you told me about that earthrealm Reiko idea cause that’s way cooler than the actual game.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Imagine Earthrealm barreling down Outworld's gates, Reiko's subordinates asking him what to do, and him finally breaking down into tears and goin "I dunno, I dunnooo!!"

@chefvideogame

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock He’d also probably have this awkward relationship with Johnny where he knows Reiko’s secret, but Johnny respects him as an actor.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@chefvideogame Was gonna say, he ends up striking a deal with Earthrealm, who install him as a malleable figurehead, to keep Outworld from causing trouble.

I always thought it would be cool if Reiko was just Shao after he lost in mk3. The Elder Gods striped Shao Kahn of his powers and left him for dead on the Outworld streets. Shao no longer has his great strength and powers so he assumes the identity of "Reiko" and is forced to fight as a ninja. With Quan Chi's and Shinnok's invasion, Reiko comes up with a plan to confront and kill Shinnok and once he is able to do that, he reassumes the throne through his classic mk4 ending. (or Liu Kang can kill Shinnok and Reiko can sneak behind to steal Shinnok's power and have his mk4 ending)

@yungjeezy5232

2 ай бұрын

I agree but I’d like to add that I always liked the idea of Shao Kahn being the guardian lower god of Outworld, similar to Raiden with Earthrealm and that Reiko is his “Dark Raiden” moment where he resurrects through another body. But maybe it works differently than Raiden’s because of Shao Kahn’s familiarity with soul magic or illusions. Reiko could have been planned all along as a backup of a backup of a backup plan.

@vaggos2003

2 ай бұрын

Actually, that was sort of the original idea behind Reiko. Originally, Reiko was meant to be Shao Kahn's reincarnation.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

So many good ideas in this thread.

@GamerTimeNinja

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock You could probably make a video going through fan ideas from all of your mk character videos' comments

@syki-tp1tn

2 ай бұрын

Splendid idea

“Depression but green” Correct.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Honest character descriptions.

Little Shao Khan Junior, you gonna cry? 😢

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

You're trash, Rei.

About the whole "Reiko and Shao are one person" thing: being honest here, i'm not that old of a fan to personally witness the conspiracy surrounding Reiko's ending (sadly), but i had pretty much the same idea when i saw the clip. "Pretty much", i say, because i thought that it would've been actually pretty interesting if Reiko was the young Shao Kahn, before he gained his title. For example, Reiko could've been one of the generals of Onaga who specialized in commanding assassins specifically (hence his shurikens, face paint and a somewhat similar attire to that of an assassin) ("why would Onaga need assassins?" who would go on stealth missions and eliminate possible competitors?). Since (if i remember correctly) Shao himself was Onaga's right hand in the original timeline, it wouldn't mess up the backstory, only adding the fact that Reiko completely got rid of the old persona and let the Outworld see him with a bigger facade. Such storyline could've also spiced up MK11, since that game bases itself around "past vs present" and we could've seen Reiko appear as a seemingly new face, only to later encounter the one he becomes. But oh well, we got what we got. I still kind of like this bastard, probably because he preaches gladiator vibes.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Oh man, that could've been a cool twist, if they prepared it, beforehand. Have Reiko play a proeminent role in the games leading up to MK11, then reveal young Shao to actually just be Reiko, which leads to similar implications and revelations as in the video; recontextualizing certain events.

@syki-tp1tn

2 ай бұрын

👏👏👏. It would have amazing.

Reiko is my favorite character and they dropped the ball with him in the movie and the game I wish they showed his smart and strategic as a general, they could have did some much more with him.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Movie 'Reiko' traumatized me.

Apparently Reiko will survive his taming of Onaga according to some leaks and game files, odd. Who knows what we will see with him. Would be funny if we see him turn into the heir of Outworld.

@thesilentsociety3252

2 ай бұрын

NRS is notorious for backpedaling on ideas that are set up

@deadset15-hrvavik17

2 ай бұрын

@@thesilentsociety3252 yea true, all that build up in mkx to in the end reboot the franchise again after 3 games

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

​@@thesilentsociety3252 This.

Oh my god 🤢. Now I can't stop thinking about Devora's trap being sticky and gooye 😭😭😭😭

@kokutensai

2 ай бұрын

What? 💀

@YaGirlGumption

2 ай бұрын

​@@kokutensaimission failed successfully I guess???

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

And plentiful.

@vincerizzo1401

2 ай бұрын

💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

@LOWBORN-the-LOATHSOME

2 ай бұрын

Kotal would know.

One think I really liked about mk4 was it was focused on the next generation of factions. Jerrik was the new face of the Black Dragons, Kai for the White Lotus, and Fujin for the Elder Gods. We even got an in-depth look at how Outworld works with Reiko as a general and Tanya as an "ambassador" but just spied on foes. Not everyone in Kahn's government would be devoted to winning MK tournaments.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, apparently Tobias was steering things towards the new generation shtick that MKX eventually did. And you can kinda see the beginnings of that in MK4.

I'm surprised you didn't mention his ties to Shinnok, I find that as a very interesting part of him which I wished was expended on.

@tonyinfinite5174

2 ай бұрын

yeah, he was formally apart of the brotherhood of shadow while working for Shinnok before being hired by Shao Kahn making Reiko and Saibot clanmates which is why they share moves

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Was gonna make the video longer and more elaborate, initially, but ran out of time.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

​@@tonyinfinite5174Reiko was actually supposed to be Noob, in MK4. They share the same model, that's why they share moves too.

@vishaldutta4375

2 ай бұрын

​@@CynicalWarlock I was just wondering today why does Reiko even exist as a playable character but no complaints as I like it when devs try to give spotlight to an obscure character or concept but I was also wondering about Kabal that how can Kabal use his speed abilities in mk 11 (not talking about the revenent version) as he didn't get burned then how can he obtain speed powers( it had to do atleast something with him obtaining outworld magic) as many others from earth realm regularly visit outworld but they don't randomly get super powers , basically I want you to explain him as well (only if you want to make a video on him also) 😜😜

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@vishaldutta4375 My answer is as obvious as it probably is disappointing: in my headcanon, he just uses Air, instead of Outworld magic. NRS can't be asked to keep things consistent for 2 games, so I just use my power system to explain it, instead of something something magic. I'll definitely do a video on Kabal, at some point.

Good video, although I wish you had mentioned Reiko from Armageddon and the one from the comic. Armageddon was the game that really characterized him, and made me like him even though his gameplay was really bad. I personally like Reiko being his own character, at least in the beginning. This is how I would write him: Reiko serves Shao as Outworld's general. Although he has a calm and calculating attitude, he is not afraid to show his strength on the battlefield. He plans all attacks on the various Realms, as seen in Armageddon, he plans them on a chessboard. I see him as a soldier with honor and intelligence who likes to fight, who is very violent against his enemies, and although he looks loyal to Shao, he always had the ambition to take the throne of Outworld. Also that he likes to collect helmets of warriors he kills on the battlefields, Shao Kahn's being the one missing in his collection. When Shao dies (or is presumed dead) and Mileena takes the throne (as seen in Armageddon and MKX), Reiko manipulates her as he did in the comic, planning to kill her to take the throne. At one point he manages to successfully betray Mileena and takes the throne for himself, until out of nowhere, Shao Kahn appears again, allied with Goro and Shang Tsung, attacking the fortress that in times past belonged to him, but now Reiko controls. Shao reaches Reiko without difficulty, and Reiko swears allegiance to him, assuring him that he was simply controlling everything while he was gone, preventing anyone from usurping Outworld from his clutches. Shao decides to believe him and Reiko becomes his general again, although this time, he notices quite a bit of distrust and tension between him and Shao. In the battle of Armageddon, Shao dies at the hands of Onaga. Reiko thinks he will be able to take control of Outworld once again, until Kano (who also became an Outworld general in the original timeline) asks him to follow him into a dark room. He complies and follows Kano, the two having met before as they were both Outworld generals. Kano betrays Reiko and performs a ritual with him that revives Shao in Reiko's body, as Onaga once did with Reptile. From there Shao uses Reiko's body, perhaps faking his real identity, as he now possesses a body considerably weaker than his original body. And from there I'm out of ideas. Good video, hope to see more.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Was initially supposed to be a longer video, but my time was limited, this week. Good arc for Reiko, overall. Bonus points for including the Reiko-Shao connection too.

@InfiniteThinking-qw1on

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock No problem, don't stress out, it's your channel after all. I guess I also forgot to mention his association with the Brotherhood of Shadows, which explains his powers and the paint on his face, since Sareena has them too. It's funny that in his time in the Brotherhood, he developed an apparent hatred for Quan Chi, as in Armageddon he tells Taven that he wants to kill him too, and he doesn't even get mad at being defeated by Taven, but the opposite, as his defeat will mean Quan Chi's death, lol.

@syki-tp1tn

2 ай бұрын

So many great ideas out there

TBH all of these ideas can still be doable. Shao picking up an orphan of War, training him to be his perfect proxy and taking control of him whenever the moment requires it through some imbedded psychic magic, its kind of a cop out but it also makes Shao more cunning.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Sounds pretty good to me, if you develop it properly.

Sheeva should absolutely have an only fans account 💪 with content about just being able to do tasks that require 4 hands! Nothing sexual just you know, building an Ikea drawer or speed meal prepping 😂😂😂😂😂

@smartfella7914

2 ай бұрын

That’s just a youtube channel with a patreon

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Can tie em all together. World's fastest secretary, strongest bodybuilder, best furnisher - all of which are perfect adult film intros.

I know some people have already said this, but NRS should definitely hire you to write for their games.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

You can say it more, I don't mind.

@preceptorseluvis5704

2 ай бұрын

You and the 4th snake =perfection​@@CynicalWarlock

Outworld is not ready for Earth's engagement of war. Why? Nukes.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Earthrealm wins. Nuclearity.

Allow me to show you the equation for Reiko's elemental power, which is Visage (Inner force-based energy). Soul÷4×2=Chi Chi×2+Shadow+Air×2+Force×4=Visage.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

It's not 'Visage', it's 'Visaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaage'.

@vincerizzo1401

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock Right, Visaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaage.

@vincerizzo1401

2 ай бұрын

@CynicalWarlock Also, did you understand the equation? We're having a test of element-making next week. So, I suggest you study hard.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@vincerizzo1401 Shit, I am definitely not stoned enough for that.

@vincerizzo1401

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock No stoning. Just plain old studying.

Definitely Sheeva. We need that only fans

My Glorious king Cynical Warlock Uploaded

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Behold, my faithful subjects: I made a thing.

They rly should just hire you already

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

And ruin all this sexual tension??

I love these snarky comments you come out with…getting more acid younger as you go 1. Kung Lao could have won that Tournament 2. Nicaraguan needed a voice actress 3. Scorpion he could exist

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Acid is my strong suit.

For me, the most intriguing part of Reiko's story is that he wasn't even Shao Kahn's general originally. In MK4 he was Shinnok's general, a member of Brotherhood of Shadow who commanded Shinnok's forces back during his first war on Elder Gods. But in Armageddon, he works for Shao Kahn, he has an unspecified grudge against Quan Chi and before the fight, he tries to recruit Taven, commending his skills. I get that this isn't much, but I feel like it was still better than what we have now. He had to at least weigh his interests against Shao Kahn's orders. And it gave me questions to ruminate on. Like what is his beef with Quan Chi? Is it because Reiko is loyal to Shao Kahn, whom Quan Chi conspired with Shang Tsung to kill? Is it because Reiko is loyal to Shinnok, whom Quan Chi betrayed with the whole fake amulet swap? Is it an older grudge from their time in Brotherhood of Shadow? All of the above? After Armageddon, there is no trace of Reiko's connection with Shinnok, as far as I remember. Just Shao Kahn's lackey. Well, MKX comics at least had him striving for more, to be a blood god, as misguided as that was. But M1K... just nothing. My only hope is that Onaga retains his original timeline counterpart's ability to revive people, does so to Reiko (either to have a spy, or genuinely impressed with his dedication) and that sparks something in Reiko, like conflicting loyalties or something. Make him at least two-note, please.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

I might touch on his extended history in another video. Good recounting of events, though, and everything there is to work with. Based on his ties to Quan, Shinnok, Shao, the Brotherhood of Shadow, making loyalty a major theme for Reiko makes sense. Either he struggles with it or he's assaulted with demands for fealty from all sides.

@ssj5gogeta1310

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock You know, your description of Reiko as "Noob Saibot whose paint job wore off" is actually apt here, because he also has this weird position of working for multiple sides, at least until he struck out on his own in Deception. Only Noob's allegiances are clearer. In MKT (according to his ending) he was ordered to join Shao Kahn and wait for an opportune moment. His Deception bio: "Under Shao Kahn's rule, I hunted enemies of his throne. As a member of the Brotherhood of the Shadow, I did Quan Chi's bidding. All the while serving Shinnok, Lord of the Netherrealm, as well. Now all my masters are gone; I am at long last free to pursue my own destiny." And then there is Mileena, who is in a somewhat similar position of being scared into Shinnok's service after she was killed in MK2 and before being brought back to life by Shao Kahn. Shao's court had a surprising amount of Shinnok's agents.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@ssj5gogeta1310 And this all highlights the rich potential for Game of Thrones-style backstabbing and political maneuvering that Mortal Kombat has.

Reiko being some random earthrealm dude that got lost in outworld and rose through the ranks to keep himself alive is unironically a more interesting backstory than what NRS gave us LOOOL

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Had a feeling people would like that one.

While it may have been cool for Reiko to have been Shao's alter ego, I'm personally fine with him just being the Kahn's number one fanboy. Definitely a lot of Wasted Plotential for a character like that. But I think it may have made even more sense for him to be Shang Tsung. Think about it. He's one of the main names that pop up when you ask "who covets the throne of Outworld the most? I would find it the secretly Shao thing more compelling if it slipped more in his fighting style, and if he didn't move like a ninja on crack. That's just not Shap imho, but I like the concept you brought up about him overcompensating through paranoia lol. The guy's also a hundred centuries old or some shit. Maybe he used to fight differently before he became an overpowered, cocky soul-guzzling titan. If true, I would wonder what could urge him to go back to his roots like that... could be an awesome story tbh.

@shadowclaw7210

2 ай бұрын

Also it would explain why guy likes to recruit Ninjas. He knows their best.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

The Shang idea isn't bad, although it would be difficult for the man to consistently be in so many places at the same place, for so long. It also gives even more screen time to Shang than he already has.

@robertminnie782

Ай бұрын

​@@CynicalWarlock Ya know what, it could also be interesting if Reiko was the spawn of Shao Kahn, destined to succeed/overthrow him. Or so he thinks. Maybe it's a secret to be revealed, or Shao knows and has kontingencies, the paranoid mf he is. Even if he's not his kid, bro definitely wants Shao to be his daddy. 💀

@CynicalWarlock

Ай бұрын

@@robertminnie782 That works well with the "beautiful child" thing". I also like the idea of Shao himself wanting and arranging for this successor, but also being a control freak about it. #shaosecretlyhascancer and doesn't tell anyone.

I am 100% here for your MK fanon. The way you present it is just perfect for my "dig into the story, draw your own conclusions" approach.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

That's what makes for an enduring narrative.

Ive always thought Reiko was a stand in for Shao Kahn after he was defeated and severely weakened after MK3. And in Deadly Alliance Shang and Quan killed him in the intro thinking it was the emperor. Thats why Shao came back in Deception.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Wow, that's actually a good way to make sense if Deadly Alliance/Deception.

Man I just found your channel and omg i love your videos, something completely different than most MK video's

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Hey thanks. KZread recently started actually recommending them a bit, so I'll definitely keep em coming.

Meat, the meat bender

@jero667

2 ай бұрын

🥵👌🏻

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

One of many Meat jokes I wrote down.

@vincerizzo1401

2 ай бұрын

That comment was hotter than a Kobra's venom. Guess who I'm referencing by the comment alone.

@Scrubermensch

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock the worst part is I was serious, meat is actually a meat bender in Armageddon

Honestly Reiko being “Title” could been freaking awesome idea. Would’ve add intrigue to character. Because when ever new game gets released everyone would wonder. Who is Reiko this time?

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Maybe, if you attach a lot of things to that title. Power, status, ability to change things etc.

@syki-tp1tn

2 ай бұрын

'Reiko' the right hand man of the 'khan' , okay , although I never liked Khan as a title, it makes sense.

Wait, who was Noob Saibot originally going to be before he became an undead Bi-Han? Havik? Reiko? Who?

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Originally, he was just a member of the Brotherhood of Shadows, and Quan's servant. Then he was revealed to be Bi-Han. It's the other way around: Havik and Reiko were both supposed to be Noob, initially, before they splintered off into their own characters. Reiko is just a last-minute skin they put together, from Noob's original MK4 model, and Havik was supposed to be an alternate skin for Noob, in MK: Deception, but they liked the way it looked so much, that they decided to just make an original character out of it. Noob Saibot has a penchant for spawning new characters.

Purely for MK12, i would have liked to see Reiko and General Shao have more of a dad & son vibe. To see Shao brutally train his adopted son and watch his pride swell as reiko excels at all the routines. Proving to shao that his own upbringing was the way to go. Giving more of a reason to dissent from the crown as he sees them soft for befriending earthrealm. I would also love to see reiko's perspective. Seeing his father who he loves so much be shot doen by the crown for every good idea that General Shao has. Watching the both of them plot from the shadows and gain more and more supporters from within the military using Shao's reputation and Reiko being living proof of his ideology working in real time. I can also see this playing into the Assassin aspect of Reiko a lot. Trained by his father to be the hardened Rambo military assassin his father requires of him. Taking out key targets or maybe Reiko even strikes out on his own to preemptively taking out anyone he heard who would oppose his General's rule.

@YaGirlGumption

2 ай бұрын

I believe this is the way to keep the original story of a military becoming disillusioned by the peace brought on by Earthrealm and the Outworld Crown. And to add more context for how they act, feel, makes them more of actual characters than just "Racist because I got my ass beat" Make them the ultimate embodiment of "Hard times make hard men. Hard men make good times." A toxic and masculine view of how to run the realms. Taking thru the right of might and watching Shao slip back into his old timeline tyrant habits once again.

@YaGirlGumption

2 ай бұрын

Idk what's different but you cooked with this video and it got my brain thinking.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

I can see that. And it produced some good ideas. I especially like implementing the hard times->strong men->good times->weak men cycle. MK12 basically gave us the cliff notes of the summary of the throwaway cutting room floor version of this idea.

36seconds in...I'm holding my ribs laughing. Love the content & your humor like always🤘

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Glad to hear it. Thanks for the feedback. Helps a lot.

I obviously don't have the context for this character being misused but your suggestions for him sound really great. Though I do wonder if a smaller roster would prevent characters like him from being misused and under-represented.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Probably would. Game design differences between Bioware and Larian video when?

@Knight1029

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock I have like 30 minutes to still edit. So properly on Monday. But I just don't know how to do thumbnails. My idea was to commission someone but I can't find anyone to do it.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@Knight1029 You can change thumbnails after posting, so no biggie. "Keep it simple" is the best advice. Bold, easy-to-read text, not more than 2-3 main things the viewer has to focus on, no dark murky colors, and A-B it with other thumbnails on KZread, to see if it stands out. Oh, and don't write the same thing in the thumbnail as you do in the title; redundant.

@Knight1029

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock I can get that. The thumbnail I want is basically this, on the left is Bioware game and the right is Larian. So, it looks like a versus kind of thing. On the top right and left will be Shepard and the Dark Urge. The middle left and right will be Morrigan and Shadowheart. The bottom left and right will be Coryphaeus and the main villian of BG3. I think it sounds like a good thumbnail that tells the viewer what is gonna happen in the video while looking fairly simple. Issue is that only works with an artists or a person with good photoshop skills. I am neither of them. My working thumbnail is just the cover art of BG3 and DAO facing each other with text saying, "What's the difference?" That's fine but it sucks I can't really do that.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@Knight1029 Sounds clear enough. You can try messing around in Canva; supposed to be easy to use.

I like the idea that Reiko should have been some kind of Shao Kahn clone, Shao Kahn in the original timeline was a very powerful sorcerer and is said that he was the one who taught Shang Tsung sorcery, he was also very smart and distrustful, so I think that he could've created Reiko as a plan B, like how he is defeated in MK3, killed by Shang Tsung and Quan Chi while he was recovering in MK deadly alliance and then he came back in MK armageddon saying that he faked his death. I think it would been amazing if Shao used Reiko as a vessel, since his body was created using Shao's body as base, so while Reiko would have been his own character for a while, he still is Shao

@scottchaison1001

2 ай бұрын

No, just no.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Definitely a more elegant way to explain his return after MK3 or Deadly Alliance. Also gives the "beautiful child" thing a sinister twist, which fits a narcissist like Shao, who can only fathom fostering himself as a successor.

Honestly Reiko is still used much better than in MK4, where he was just a random jobber. Also the whole thing with him imitating Shao Kahn's moves was weird af and I'm glad NRS changed it.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Isn't he a random jobber in MK1(2) as well? Agree with the last part - Reiko shouldn't be discount Shao.

You know what would be funny, to me at least? If Reiko somehow ends up becoming the Noob Saibot of the new timeline, as a reference to his origins in MK4. Anyway, good stuff! Big fan of the MK magic system idea and the ideas that I've seen from you.

@CynicalWarlock

Ай бұрын

That *would* be funny. Also would mean Bi-Han can stay human and interact with Noob. Also, thanks; it's quite interesting to still be remembered for a particular KZread video, months after posting it - that's like years, in KZread time.

@Krakenburgvortex79

Ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock Indeed! And yeah, I think I get where you're coming from. But to be fair, it's the reason I, and I'm sure many others, began watching you in the first place. Not to mention that a lot of your other videos make use of it, so it's bound to draw attention.

@CynicalWarlock

Ай бұрын

@@Krakenburgvortex79 Yep, that was the plan; if I hadn't built anything off of that video, channel would've spiked right back down.

Oh, a Ranton fan. Nice

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Ranton is love. Ranton is life.

Really like how reiko plays in mk1 just hate how many highs u can duck and almost no strings

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

That's the standard Mortal Kombat experience, nowadays. Too many highs, encouraging too many pokes.

@x0nix

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock fr

Thank you. Shame they didn't even make him a Kahn's doppelganger in Deadly Alliance when the sorceress possibly "killed" him.... that's a better idea than "I like wearing Kahn's helmet" guy 🤦‍♂️ As 4thsnake said: Reiko is a punk-b***h now. Another misused character, in my opinion, is Cyber Sub-zero. I know a lot of people hated that twist in MK9, but I loved it. At least, it was explained in the story (by saving Smoke, Raiden unintentionally doomed Kuai Liang to that fate). I believe, way back during MK3 days, when people asked the devs why cyber Smoke's color is purple instead of gray, they said it's because that armor was meant for Kuai Liang. So when MK9 revealed Cyber Sub-zero, his colors didn't change because it was his armor. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it is true 😅. I would like to see how you would improve this character.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

The reason why I, personally, am not convinced by the MK9 Cyber-Sub twist is because it doesn't really change anything. One Lin Kuei stays human and the other does not. And neither version accomplishes anything. In the original timeline, Cyber-Smoke gets stuck in story-writing limbo, while Cyber-Sub gets killed by Sindel, same as everyone else.

@user-kl1mn3rr1t

2 ай бұрын

@CynicalWarlock True, though I have to say, the scene with Noob at the graveyard was amazing

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@user-kl1mn3rr1t Yeah, at least there was that brief exchange. Pity it didn't go anywhere.

man you gotta teach me how to keep up the narrator voice, that is the sole reason I don't do any type of voiceover, anyways always love your takes on mk lore

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Morning voice.

Nice video

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Thanks.

What I don't like and somewhat like about him conceptually: NRS gave him a Japanese girl's name (and Kira the Black Dragon henchwoman a Japanese boy's name), and coupled with his utter devotion to General Shao not Kahn means he's never gonna beat the submissive and breedable allegations. But still, I find that his saving grace is how loyal he is. Usually MK baddies get to where they are or want to be by betraying their superior, but in the rare instance that they have the virtue of being genuinely loyal to them, that gives them a bit of depth; even evil has standards. This is all just potential for a future Reikocentric story arc, of course, because right now he's the Designated Jobber. Imagine if despite getting his ass kicked he still succeeds in locking down Onaga and although he has that power to make Outworld, including the General himself, kneel before him, he isn't tempted by it for one second, to the shock of the likes of Shang, Quan, etc.

@scottchaison1001

2 ай бұрын

Reiko actually did tame Onaga.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, Reiko is basically Lawful Evil - evil with a code. And you can play around with that sense of honor in a lotta ways - it can either reward him, or bite him in the butt, Ned Stark-style, cause he's surrounded by psychopaths. Also, is it me or did you change your user name, mr. Lowborn?

@LOWBORN-the-LOATHSOME

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock Yep, I am what I'm meant to be, now.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@LOWBORN-the-LOATHSOME Sounds like there's a story there.

FINALLY REIKO GETS SOME RESPECT IM GLAD THEY BROUGHT HIM AND TREMOR BACK

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Tremor's just a kameo, though.

@DanielQualls-7777

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock Idc Tremor was my main in MKX

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@DanielQualls-7777 Had a feeling.

Rei k.o.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Raymond & co.

I used to love Reiko’s mk4 ending back in the day. I remember the fandom going crazy thinking that Reiko was actually Shao Kahn (or at least that he “became” Shao somehow). Reiko also has a pretty interesting story in the mk10 comics, too bad they did not adapt that to the game besides a few mentions to the “Reiko accords”

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Dunno why "the Reiko accords" always sounded dumb to me. Maybe it's because you usually name a treaty after the place where it was established, or the thing or figure who signed or facilitated them, instead of after the guy who wasn't in accord with your accords. Or maybe it's because the guy after whom they're named isn't in the game.

@pedromenchik1961

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock the name is kind of dumb, but the story behind it is interesting

Knowing that NRS is giving new moves to characters, give us the teleport air grab, swaggy-as-fuck sidestep, and the impossible flip kick.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Yus!

I always thought he was more of a stealthy assassin/infiltrator than a frontline soldier. His more mundane look compared to the others in Shao Khan's Inner Circle just drives that point home. Spymaster would be a good position for him. And Shao Khan being his own spymaster in the form of Reiko would make sense, seeing how he wouldn't trust anybody with that sorta stuff.

@CynicalWarlock

Ай бұрын

Exactly! This one gets it. The main challenge with Reiko is to not make him boring or redundant, which all games after MK4 did.

Awesome character dissections! Loved MK4 Reiko and MKX comic smh so much wasted potential. Would love to see a Johnny Cage shadow power analysis especially MKX Stunt double variation

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, covered that a little bit in the power system video, but might do a deep dive.

@MegaAmir46

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock I actually just seen that video after my comments. Found you today awesome channel and comedy. A deep dive would be sick but keep up the great work you know MK like a fan should

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@MegaAmir46 Thanks. Usually people find me through that power system video, so it's nice to see other ones bringing like-minded folks in.

As far as his character goes they should’ve taken some more inspiration from comics to help with reiko development. don’t mind his gladiator style just wish he had his spin kick back.

Never got Reiko tbh but I have a curiosity: Did you lick that sticky trap before or after D'vorah face planted in it?

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Befooooooooooore. I.. think..

Reiko is the character for the real fighters, because her movements are the basis for any style with a reputation of effectiveness. He reminds me a bit of Ken Masters and other "Shotokan" type characters, who not use projectiles or exotic movements as much.

@CynicalWarlock

16 күн бұрын

Yeah, they based M1K Reiko a little more on real-world martial arts, which is sweet. Still kinda boring to my eyes, but that's totally subjective.

Agh, sorry dude im 23 hours late to watch the video, guess I gotta like comment and subscribe now.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Duh. Good thing you didn't pass the 24-hour mark. You'd have had to share the video too. And do an ice bucket challenge.

My favorite take on Reiko, personality-wise at least, is the one in Armaggedon, with his calm and collected demeanor. Ideally I would have him be the only truly loyal general under Shao Khan, but also his spymaster, so the ninja elements don't feel as tacked on. He'd believe himself Shao's true heir, which would have him fight with Mileena for the position once the emperor inevitably died. Could even incorporate the the "war orphan" concept from M1K as his origin story. I do also like the "disguise", "clone" and "reincarnation" concepts, but that's mostly because they could better explain the many deaths and returns of Shao Khan throughout the Midway era.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Didn't have time to touch on the Armageddon version, but that's a decent incarnation, if a bit Shao Kahn lite ish.

Me with shujinko parrying and now command grabbing into full combos lmao Yes keeping playing reiko

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Pretty broken, yeah.

Made a Tier List 2 Years ago about what Mortal Kombat characters I wanted to come back. I put Reiko and Mavado under the name "My little emo bois"

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Accurate.

Reiko is boring and rather simple sure. But at least he wasn’t forced to jobber as hard as Kotal.

@scottchaison1001

2 ай бұрын

He isn't boring, I don't know what are you talking about.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

None can compete with the jobber power of KK in a wheelchair.

I like Reiko, though I hoped for a lot more with his return after so long. I actually mained him for awhile early on, but moved on to more interesting characters. I definitely liked the earlier incarnation; more stoic and mysterious, ties to the Brotherhood of Shadow etc... , not to mention the pseudo-ninja design being my favorite look. Just a much darker, enigmatic presence rather than the meathead we got now lol. Also, funny you mentioned Shadow & Air for his elemental classification, as it donned on me that both technically form Blood (Shadow = Water + Earth, combined with his "Air" abilities), which coincidently is his damage type in M1K, along with being a prominent aspect of his character in the MKX comic series. Accidental brilliance?

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

I'm basically the Zack Galifianakis math meme, right now. Maybe I should've continued that "accidental brilliance" series. But yeah, finally, someone gets me - old Reiko had a lot of mystery to him and avenues to potentially explore, while new Reiko is angsty soldier guy.

Can you do a video on a poison element for characters like Bo Rai Cho Reptile and D’Vorah

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

I'll definitely be doing videos on those characters, but there is no poison element.

I felt like new Reiko had so much potential. Especially after seeing his surprisingly brutal fatalities but his game play and personality doesn't match up to those so he feels really weird and tame compared to what I think he should be

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

They thought it would be cool to include him, but didn't really know what to do with him, I feel.

Reiko is a chad also he is literally run them hands the character. Legitimately want him to be the next Shao Kahn in the next MK game like the old school Shao Kahn as a normal ass dude just make him Reiko give us the old shoulder barge and make him have some real character that would sell.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Was initially thinking of Blood, mostly because of the red effect. Like he's using Blood magic to enhance his attacks, or something. Either explanation works. Also a yes to making Shao just human, or human-looking, again. The dragon designs have gotten out of hand.

@garretwoeller7669

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock exactly like it's cool ish I personally think MK11 Shao wasn't bad but his head and face should've stayed ruggedly handsome like his OG actor was but hey Reiko is handsome loves Shao like a father and something we don't know in MK1 is what Shao's family name is because by the way they speak of his family Shao is his given name.not his family name perhaps Reiko if he is Shao's bastard takes up the family name and it could be Kahn

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@garretwoeller7669 That's a cool take, although 'Kahn' is just a title, inspired by Genghis Khan.

@garretwoeller7669

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock I know but just saying man if Outworld has an Emperor/King but not a Kahn in the new timeline could go that way easily.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@garretwoeller7669 It's kinda like the "Robin" easteregg, at the end of The Dark Knight Rises.

I have an idea building off yours. Reiko was Shao Kahn older Brother who is less powerful but smarter and wiser most of the time. At some point Shao Kahn took the soul of his brother which let's him use his skills and looks, no one else knows this and Shao Kahn does what you said. But after something in the plot (Like the end of this timeline's MK2 or MK3.) Reiko is freed from Shao Kahn and works to get back Outworld's throne, fighting the other trying for that as well. If Reiko was the one who wins "Taking Shao Kahn's armor on top of his somewhat.) He rules very well with a strong sense of meritocracy and personal freedom for all under him, while still being a very powerful ruler who takes very little no sense from others. However although he doesn't want to take over other worlds he wants to open up many portals so that all the worlds can freely travel, believing this is the way things should be so that people may do what they want. A mix of meritocracy and survival of the fittest. This doesn't risk the One Being coming back but does risk the order of each world.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

So Reiko is the Iroh to Shao's Ozai. I like it. I'm taking notes.

Honestly I feel as though if Reiko was Shaos adopted or biological son in Mk9 I would want to see his and Millenia and Kitana relationship dynamic

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

That's a pretty good idea, actually.

Imagine o.ding in a world where death is sudo canon

@CynicalWarlock

Ай бұрын

Pseudo-canon? Yeah, the Devil would greet you and go "you're not supposed to be here, you idiot".

I always thought of reiko as mortal kombats starscream. That being shao khans right hand man who is terrified of shao khan. while also constantly trying to usurp the thrown, but is not nearly strong or smart enough to do so.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

That's definitely a good take in the character. Kind of the opposite of the M1K loyalist version. Only thing about it is there are plenty of other contenders for such a character, like Shang Tsung. Turning Reiko into the same thing would be a tad redundant.

MKX Blood God Reiko had so much potential

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Alas, untapped potential becomes wasted plotential.

Well, funny video(although i never laughed). The Shao turns into reiko scene would look real good. Just imagining it is something or the Shao's son route would also work, to have him as his only male child(even if adoptive). But maybe the problem in the first place is trying to connect reiko to shao Khan, maybe just make him his own character. Also nice thing about the mobility moves, seeing as both kitana and mileena possess swift mobile moves compared to Shao khan who trained them. Would make him something more than your average wrestler on steroids(with a hammer, don't forget that) who just does wrestler moves and doesn't fight like a trained martial artist but this could also create a parallel between him and the more martial arty lui kang. Well, good video.

@syki-tp1tn

2 ай бұрын

Also mysterious character isn't code for a nothing character.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, I'm pondering that myself. Wouldn't want Reiko to feel hollow, so maybe him being multiple characters is the most interesting version.

I feel like the only positive thing about Reiko to me is that he's attractive like they cooked with the face model

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, he was always a handsome devil. Looks like the Nightwing of MK.

Why are most MK stories so bad when you have this many, highly entertaining fan made ideas 😔

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Either too much or not enough cocaine.

@vaggos2003

2 ай бұрын

A question that can be atributed towards so many current fictional stories.

Reiko is sick in the mkx comics

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

He dies.

Opinions on the Invasions elemental typing? Tanya being energy and all earth-based fighters being physical, tf?

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Haven't touched Invasions, so I'm not in the know. I have heard that they made their own little classification, though.

Dude who gets this invested in a fighting game character and why the fuck does he smell the dirt every time in the intro?

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

He's sifting for cocaine.

I actually love Reiko, the 3d games in PS2 had some sick moves and story, but as usual NRS killed it

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

There was some stuff to work with, in the 3D era, but I don't like that he became discount Shao Kahn.

@basixs88

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock 🤣 discount shao khan, you really have a good way with words, I have a character for a short animated series that I'm working that could certainly use your wordings🤣

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@basixs88 Thanks. I find that, more often than not. inspiration comes after theft. I stole many jokes from other content creators before a sort of style of my own started to emerge. So if you're writing a witty character, don't be afraid to steal and adapt jokes, at first. Eventually, the character's true nature will reveal itself.

Bruh his MK1 gameplay is so cool. He's a romanticized take on modern MMA. Also he's a grappler with one of the best projectiles in the game, how is that boring?

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

In the context of fire ninjas and lightning gods, "MMA" fighter" is boring to me.

@fbiagentgreg2448

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock Johnny Cages gameplay is just karate

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@fbiagentgreg2448 Force balls, Shadow kicks, nut punches, swag.

@fbiagentgreg2448

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock I was talking about MK1, but I also wouldn't personally call green ball any more interesting than volley of ninja stars

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@fbiagentgreg2448 Fair enough.

Random ,being my nature, If you put out a book I'll read it, the glimpse of your mind from these vids makes me wonder how it would read...Chaotic perhaps

@CynicalWarlock

Ай бұрын

Lots of sex scenes.

Best one yet

@CynicalWarlock

Ай бұрын

Thanks.

I miss those Mk4 endings

@CynicalWarlock

10 күн бұрын

There were some good ideas in them.. ..and some reaally cheesy, badly acted ones.

@CynicalWarlock

10 күн бұрын

And then there's Reptile getting his head blown off, in his own ending.

Look Reiko losing to Raiden is awful, we agree... But I have to give him all the respect because he canonically runs at Onaga with a stick, two fists, and a dream, and he WINS. That is BADASS.

@CynicalWarlock

Ай бұрын

RIP Onaga.

It's interesting how similar concepts seem to almost travel and spread across people's minds. I have, for quite some time, been thinking about my own version of the Mortal Kombat narrative, and in that version I also had Reiko being both Shao Kahn and a Flesh Pits golem, but with a different twist. Imagine this: during the events of MK1-3, Reiko is always seen at the Shao Kahn's side as his most trustworthy if always silent general. Then, Shao Kahn is killed during the final battle for Earthrealm… And then Shinnok starts his invasion of Edenia and Heavens and Reiko, now uncharacteristically outspoken, suddenly pledges his loyalty to Shinnok and works with him. And then, after some time, during the battle of Armageddon, the truth is revealed: Reiko was a back-up body created for Shao Kahn, because a real emperor has plans for everything - including his own death. He kills Blaze, takes his power and is restored to the MK3-level of power.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Pretty solid way to make the events in the games as air-tight as possible, with proper reveals, instead of just handwaving everything, on a whim. Good job. And yeah, I honestly think we just discover things, rather than create them, so it, then, makes sense that we stumble onto similar fanfics and explanations for things.

@serhibei

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock yeah, that was the main reason behind my re-drafting of the MK story: to create a proper narrative with a clear and logical (or, as logical as possible) sequence of events and proper controlling idea. Of course, I don’t have enough time and good enough command of English to do a proper fanfic but it exists in my head and for now, it’s good enough 😂

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@serhibei Your English looks fine to me.

@serhibei

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock thank you for the kind words, but I guess it’s the sense of perfectionism. It’s one thing to write a comment and another thing to write proper prose in your secondary language. 😁

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

​@@serhibei Right you are, and there's something to be said about that. In my experience, though, perfectionism lowkey kills people. Not done->not perfect->don't release->never release->waste years doing nothing->wasted life, which is functionally no different than not having lived, thus being dead. Bit of unprompted philosophy there, but just a thought.

even though reiko is a jobber in MK1 I do like the idea of him being a shao kahn/shinnok loyalist when most minions in the series like Shang Tsung or Quan Chi plot to overthrow said characters, and I remember tobais had big plans for reiko as the next big villain before he left.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

That would've been interesting to see.

NetherRealm needs to hire you

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Too expensive.

Let's be real, every second MK character is the most misused character in the entire franchise.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Truth.

Now let talk about Mavado and the red dragon

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Most underused Mortal Kombat character and clan.

@mikemccauley7706

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock yes potential other human factions that have not been used

Holy shit, I was actually excited for Reiko when they announced him, but like you said. He’s boring. 🛌 💤 nah that circle Tele is slick as hell tho

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Right? I mean it was slow and punishable on reaction, but by the gods, it's cool.

I'd like to see him be a double of Shao Kahn like Padme and Queen Amadalia. That would've made more sense for Shao Kahn's death in MKDA, but Reiko was alive and well in MKA. Maybe they used a Meat construct to pose as Reiko posing as Shao Kahn and Shao Kahn's double was Reiko, but NOT Reiko, which explains why he was alive to fight Taven in MKA. Meat is a double of a double. Make sense yet?🤔

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Perfect sense! Was just thinking of Meat. Would be an elegant way to integrate that thing into the story. So then you have Reiko, Meat posing as Reiko, Chameleon or some sorcerer posing as Reiko, Shao Khan being Reiko - suddenly, everyone wants to be Reiko. I love this kind of confusing clusterfuck of a fiasco.

@Nick-up5wv

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock Yup. And it makes his MK4 ending ACTUALLY make sense now. Also I had MK4 for the N64, so the Shao Kahn thing was cut out and I just saw him walk through a portal and the credits roll. Only years later would I see the PS and MK Gold version of his ending that... things became even MORE confusing and stupid. I think our ideas help clarify things though. Maybe 4th Snake should have a look.😉👍

I do like that in m1k he was taken in by Shao Kahn but i wish he became his own character rather than a Shao simp. (Though given the context, it does make sense) My issue is that he has no motivations of his own. What if by working for Shao Kahn he would learn the secrets of those who made him a orphan. Shao Kahn raised him and told Reiko that under him, he will get his vengeance and a comfortable life. I also would like for Shao to grow a soft spot for Reiko and emphasize that as a kid, he used everything he had to survive like how Shao did when he was a sick little boy but his father 0pushed him to become as strong as her could be.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

"When you don't have your own story, you become part of someone else's"

@raimyonlinewarrior236

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlockespecially in the hands of Netherrealm writing

Reiko in 4 was very mysterious. lol i thought he was Shao Khan. only it was later konfirmed that he wasn't he jus enjoyed sitting in Shao's throne cuz it pissed Shao off🤣😆 course that been quite kool if it was true n he was Shao

@CynicalWarlock

Ай бұрын

Yeah no, the devs are allergic to mysterious cool ideas.

I really wish you were the lead writer and creative director for MK. Personally, I despise Reiko in M1K, as I just find him very annoying and view him as a punk bitch, because in M1K I view him as essentially Shao's bitch much like Kitana regressing to being Mileena's bitch. I love the idea of him actually being Shao Khan and fits very well with his paranoia of sussing out potential traitors. If they did want to make him a separate character he could perhaps be a secret weapon or a super soldier of Shao's trained in secret and is a contingency plan since Mileena may be too difficult to control and manage. He could kinda act like the Shinobi of the real world, where he is more of spy while simultaneously being a warrior. He could even have a more familial relationship with Mileena and Kitana, tieing in M1K's take as Shao is an adoptive father-figure to him making for potential interesting character sceanarios. But, I think him being Shao is still the better idea. I feel like nowadays devs don't really take narrative risks like they used to I think it's because if something is too complex they think the fans won't get it. Maybe I'm being too harsh but it is a trend I've been noticing where interesting ideas and characterization are discarded to make something safe and easy. Also would love a Nitara video.

@CynicalWarlock

17 күн бұрын

You're not wrong, and you see this in modern films too - things are often dumbed down quite a bit. I think the reason is twofold: part of it is what you wrote - making it dead-simple to appeal to the lowest common denominator and attract the widest audience - and the other part of it is it's much cheaper. You don't have to spend much time crafting intricate worlds, stories and character arcs; time is money, thus, you make more money with less work. I like your spymaster Reiko idea, and now that I think of it, if he *isn't* Shao Kahn, exploring his parentage could be interesting. Think I discussed this with someone else too, but making him half-Edenian, or part of some bigshot family, or a half-god would breed this beautiful conflict between Reiko and Shao, when the 2 eventually find out about it. A bit redundant to Rain's story, though, I guess..

Cynical Warlock. Concrete for breakfast, LOL.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Aka grandma's cookies.

@dalestevenson8947

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock I HATE NRS character assassination of Shao Kahn. The4thSnake really goes in depth on this subject. Midway era Shao Kahn was far better.

I dunno, I rather like the idea of Reiko being the Starscream to Shao Khans Megatron of Outworld. He's a dangerous though cowardly man of high ambition who not only wants to be an emperor he wants to be a god. On the other hand, if I were to go further with the Reiko, it doesn't exist idea, I would say it's not that Reiko doesn't exist, it's the fact that "Reiko no longer exists." Before Shao Khan became Shao Khan, there was only Reiko, a long forgotten man (maybe former god) who very few remembered or worshipped. He killed Onaga to become more powerful and became Shao Khan, but at a terrible cost. Shao Khan keeps his Reiko form around as an inside joke, a delicious spiteful irony that one day he would reveal. That he, a lowly nobody, managed to conquer the realms. Also to your past comment, I will have you know I unironically liked the midichlorians. I didn't feel they took away from the mysticism like FullMetal Alchemist does. Heh. Also I would like to present the argument that Light is actually Wind and Fire.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Couple others also suggested the 'Reiko is Shao before he became Shao' theory, and it's pretty cool, as far as I'm concerned. Even visually. It's kinda like he evolved from war paint to skull helmet. Reiko being Starscream is a bit redundant, cause we already have a Shang Tsung who's devious and ambitious and kinda cowardly, and covets the throne. Couldn't find the past comment, so I don't have context, but I like midi-chlorians too. Never got why the fanbase got so bent outta shape overthem. And you'll have to actually present your argument, as in elaborate why you think Light is Wind + Fire.

@Harlequin619

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock Yeah I think I prefer the past Shao Khan idea too, son idea isn't bad either to me. As I recall this was in regards to a comment I made on your "What is light?" Mortal Kombat video. I had offered a critique on the magic system. You had mentioned I probably didn't like midi-chlorians that much. I was going to respond there but got distracted. lol From what I understand the attempt at applying the midi-chlorians to the force made it feel less mystical to other fiction fans (not to me personally). There was a youtuber, can't for the life of me remember his name, that compared the Old Republic to something much like that of the Age of Enlightenment vs The Empires Rise to the so-called Dark Ages. As such the Enlightenment tried to apply a highly rationalistic view to everything, taking mystery and strangely humanity out of everything. An example of the disenchantment of this age was even in warfare using clones against droids as opposed to naturally born flesh and blood people. Emphasizing the cold calculating pragmatism of the Republic and its corporate enemy. Also, in regards to the Air+Fire = Light hypothesis is the fact that while Fire may interact with Air and let off Smoke it doesn't seem like a true combination of the two elements. It seems more like an interaction between Fire and Entropy, as Smoke is ashes going up into the Air and space, and Fire + whatever it is burning = ultimately becomes Ashes at the end of it's life. Fire may give off a glow (so does electricity, some gasses, bio-luminescence) but the true source of all light comes from the great big ball of Fire in the sky. But it's not just a mere big ball of Fire, it's one great big ball of Fire and gas (Air) in combination with each other. While Fire emits a glow, Air magnifies the glow, explosions, friction that interacts with the molecules in the air like with lightning, (Air I also include under the umbrella of space which Light travels through). These two in combination together allows Light to actually glow bright and be a more prominent force other than just illumination, as without Air there would be Smoke but no Fire (as Fire cannot live without oxygen). There's certainly holes here (thinking about light in a light bulb, but that's more an "artificial" light than a natural light) but that's about what I have for my case as of now. Also sorry for the read.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@Harlequin619 Good read. Light is electromagnetic radiation. It can exist without heat, like the bioluminescence you mentioned; the sun is just one source of light, and even though we refer to it as a gas giant, ionized gas is considered a different state of matter, aka plasma, so it's not the same as air. More to the point, most air doesn't emit any kind of light, and is invisible. It can exist on its own, but most light is accompanied by heat/fire, hence why I named it as a property and subset of the Fire element.

I like a lot his combos style in mk armageddon. Both teleports in mk4 seems unpredictible and make other fighters stiff In mk1 is a barbarian that he only use brutal force, kind of dumb to show some punches and kick in front of raiden 😂

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Kinda, yeah.

Poor nitara

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

She deserved better..

So this NEW Reiko you are proposing works really well and he could keep the Noob inspired teleport because what if Reiko is a Brotherhood of Shadow member? Former really? Remember he fought in the war between Shinnok and Lucifer and seemingly resurfaced during MK 4 and than went on to serve Shao Kahn. What if Reiko was a double agent? He worked for the Brotherhood, but betrayed them to pledge alligence to Shao Kahn. He'd have a background in dabbling with shadow magic because he would've been under Quan Chi at one point and Quan Chi created Noob. Perhaps Reiko betrayed the Brotherhood to serve Shao Kahn or was a double agent and Quan Chi in response created Noob? This would connect Noob and Reiko together and explain Noob is the perfected version of what Quan Chi intended to do with Reiko until his betrayal. Maybe Quan Chi brought him back through sorcery to serve him and Shinnok and Reiko betrayed him by pledging alligence instead of getting Intel on or killing Shao Kahn. So he knows shadow magic because of Quan Chi, but isn't as experienced as Bi-han. So in essence Reiko is actually Noob, but a flawed copy and serves Shao Kahn so that's why he has the abilities of both. Now Chameleon was good to use as it gives him something to do, but I would personally choose Meat. So what if Meat was constructed in the Flesh Pits for Shang Tsung to use to help Shao Kahn and fool his enemies? Also that shows signs of Shang Tsung betraying Quan Chi. But what if Meat posed as the Reiko you talked about and Shao Kahn was actually the REAL Reiko like you said? So just swap out Chameleon for Meat and play out the story the same way you said. Oh and different topic everything Reptile currently is in MK 1 should be Chameleon. Maybe Reptile in this time-line turned out to be how the ORIGINAL Chameleon turned out. Anyway at least we get old and new Reptile together and it makes sense. Although Ashrah is the stand in for Khameleon. She'd what Khameleon COULD have been or IS in another time-line. In THIS time-line Ashrah replaced her current roll because she became a do nothing soldier in Tanya's Umgadi army or whatever. Khameleon should be Ashrah. I liked how Ashrah is STILL fueding with Nitara though, so that's cool I guess. But yeah great video and I'm on board with your story, but make Chameleon Meat and it works.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

I *swear* I was thinking of Meat. It's a natural way to tie that 'character' into the story naturally and give it something to do. Good writer instincts. The Ashrah romance in M1K seems out of left field, for me. It should've been Khameleon, as you noted. Made especially frustrating since Khameleon is actually in the game, but is just a kameo. Good idea to use Reiko's extended history with the Brotherhood of Shadow to inform his moves list.

@Nick-up5wv

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock Thanks man. Chameleon was a good choice though. I just felt in terms of lore and story Meat had more potential. Also I thought Meat could have just been Shang Tsung in the last timeline/timelines? Idk it's confusing.🤷‍♂️ Anyway in Shang Tsung's bio; one of ONLY 12 we got, it stated that Shang Tsung died in MKD during the blast, but Shao Kahn and Goro murder a bunch of people and warriors so Shang could absorb them and revitalize. Shang, at first, when returning to the land of the living looked like Meat until he absorbed enough souls to manifest into his human form again. Also in MK Shaolin Monks you have to fight Bloody Skeltons in the Wastelands and I believe the Dead Pool. I assumed Meat was one of those abominations created from the flesh Pits. In MKA it states Meat can be anyone hence he is no one a being created from Shang Tsung's Flesh Pits with no purpose or reason for being. Either way he could be used in the matter I described and I'd LIKE for Khameleon to become playable by giving her an Invasions story line. Perhaps she can be in Tanya's Season and the player is rewarded with unlocking her as a playable character afterwards or you can by her as DLC. If not have her as a Kameo in Tanya's story and save her for MK 2(or whatever the hell theyre calling this game's sequel🙄)where they can feature her as an Umgadi guard and give her something to do. Perhaps her and Tanya framed Li Mei so Khameleon could take her place instead. Maybe Tanya envied Li Mei's status with the Royal family and wanted to eliminate her to impress her lesbian lover Mileena and potential future Mother-in-law Queen Sindel. There you go. EVERYONE gets better character development and Tanya is a more nuanced complex and well-developed character and not just down graded as "I'm a lesbian so I check boxes and don't have to do anything MORE for the story." Also, I know beauty is subjective, but why is Tanya no longer attractive? And I mean this because I saw the model her look was based off of and she was an attractive woman. NRS took her model and thought, "whom. How do we make her unappealing as a character? We already made her 1 note and boring, so let's make her...um...less...desirable on top of that. I mean I get why, but it's kinda a shame. She used to be a sultry seductress. I mean she's with Mileena now; who isn't going to win any beauty pagents any time soon, so I guess that's ok, but Tanya; especially in MK4 was hot, but not slutty. Over the years they've worked really hard on making her unappealing, but also ruining her character. Where's the beautiful woman who seduced Lui Kang and trapped him in a cave, stole the Kamidogu from Onaga, created an army of Dragons and became a Dragon Waverynn, and kidnapped Sindel and guarded her until she was defeated by Shujinko? Oh and Jade threw Tarkatan scent all over her so she'd be ripped apart by Baraka and his race, so I kinda find it a bit ironic that Tanya would choose Mileena in this time-line to have a lesbian relationship with. Also where is Jade? I want to see Tanya and Jade fued again.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@Nick-up5wv Your Tanya rant might as well have been extracted from my own brain. Nothing to add, really. Thank the gods for the modders, who worked miracles with her character model. Tanya and Jade rivalry is written in the stars. Jade is Kitana's bff, Tanya is her backstabbing betrayer. They are natural enemies. None of this umgadi m'bele mufasa crap.

@Nick-up5wv

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock 🤣 I agree. Tanya should be Mileena's Jade. Way I see it ORIGINALLY Jade was Kitana's bodyguard, mentor, and overall best friend. She was MORE of a sister to Kitana than Mileena. When Mileena was created she was only made to ultimately replace Kitana, but ultimately learned over time to love her. She never received that sisterly love that Kitana had with Jade and so she grew up with no one. Meanwhile Tanya, being an opportunist used Mileena's loneliness to get in good with her and the Royal family or Shao Kahn, whatever. I haven't decided on time-line. Anyway her father was a famous ambassador and had his own Royal Family that paid tribute to King Jarod and Queen Sindel, so that's how she allowed Quan Chi to sneak into Edenia in MK 4. Anyway point being she worked really hard to earn her status within the Royal Family and got close to Mileena. Over time things changed and while she fulfilled the roll to Mileena that Jade did for Kitana Tanya developed ACTUAL feelings and became infatuated with her. Though she's close to Mileena Mileena still wants a close bond with her sister;something Jade hinders her from. I believe Tanya, actually wanting to see Mileena happy, intends to get rid if Jade, so that Mileena and Kitana will have the sister relationship Mileena has always desired and Tanya could replace Jade's roll. She could than mentor and protect BOTH sisters gaining MORE power in the process and having two "twin" assassins do her bidding at all times. As Umgadi she can protect the Kingdom. As a Royal Advisor to BOTH "twins" Tanya can RULE over the Kingdom and possibly work with Rain to take over ALL of Edenia. I think we can combine Tanya's manipulative old nature and fuse it with the lesbian "Umgadi" nature to write a deeply complex and dynamic character. One who is kinda a foil for Jade. Basically an evil Jade who fights for the Kingdom and DOES love it, but wants POWER as the only way to successfully protect it. Anyway Jade and her would have an epic rivalry because they both share the same goal to protect the kingdom, but Tanya has more of an evil choice. Not evil, per say, but definitely more SELFISHLY motivated.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@Nick-up5wv Had to grab a beverage before perusing through your pitch. I mean.. once again, little to add. Looks like you've given this a lot of thought. This all has the air of a political drama, and I'm all here for it. Yeah, Jade wants to serve Edenia by protecting the royal family and keeping things the way they are, while Tanya wants to change things, through subterfuge, is necessary. It's a great contrast. Might adapt at least part of this into an Edenian video. You know, other than the one I already made. There's something engrossing about Edenia and its characters.

The goomba of MK

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Accurate.

as a reiko main i like it when he says "earthrelmer" and when hes being racist edit: i actually like his fighting style its making me want to try kick boxing irl or whatever martial art inspired his gameplay, the way he fights is the most simple and that makes it stand out--its RAW and i love it also his pinned down fatality is the best in m1k

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Yeah his attacks look like they hit hard, which is a plus.

@sigmacheseman

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock reiko also has autism

@sigmacheseman

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock i like it when hes being racist

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@sigmacheseman We got that part, yeah. :D

@sigmacheseman

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock do a video about the politics in outworld, there are a lot of fighters who are surprisingly racist. i like it when reiko, kotal, shao, sheeva, jade, kitana, dvorah and kollector are racist

Your videos are dope but I don't understand what your saying. You're elegant words and mellow tone and run-on sentence makes it hard to really comprehend what you're saying clearly

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

It's ok, I don't get what I'm saying either.

@bellzo5

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock smh no your content is good it's just the big words you use and how you display it sounds like a mid tone rant

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@bellzo5 Too monotone, perhaps. Thanks for the feedback.

@bellzo5

2 ай бұрын

@CynicalWarlock it fits your character I just gotta rematch your video to understand clearly. But your breakdown about the elements us very intriguing

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

@@bellzo5 "gotta rewatch" - My dark plan is revealed. [cue evil laugh]

0:23 Nah, Quan Chi is great.

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Meh.

@scottchaison1001

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock That was exactly the same thing I said when I finished watching this video.

Have you done one of these deep-dives into your favourite character yet? If not who is it?

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

That's a complicated question.

@Smoaque

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock do you not have an all-time favourite fighter?

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

​@@Smoaque I suppose I do. Haven't made a video on him, yet. I have a feeling you'll know it when I do.

@Smoaque

2 ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlock looking forward🔥🔥

@Smoaque

Ай бұрын

@@CynicalWarlockI have a guess, is it either Kabal, or a 3D era character you haven’t spoke about yet, or am i completely off?

Why too much hate reiko 😂 Looks like he's lose too many matches against reiko opponent's

@CynicalWarlock

2 ай бұрын

Wouldn't have made this video if I didn't like Reiko.