Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath adds a whole new section to the story in addition to the three new characters, stages, stage fatalities, and friendships. Taking place immediately after the base game's conclusion, it follows Nightwolf, Shang Tsung, and Fujin as they travel back in time to prevent catastrophe.
In true Mortal Kombat fashion, the plot is packed with twists and turns. It can be difficult to keep all the plot beats in order, but the following list will sort out the most important facts. Understanding the events of Aftermath also helps one more clearly see where the series is possibly headed in the future.
10 How Nightwolf, Fujin, and Shang Tsung Come Back
Despite their deaths in the prior games, the three main characters of Aftermath come back without so much as a scratch on them. This is because they were plucked from time by Kronika in an attempt to recruit them for her timeline-resetting scheme. When they refused, she banished them to a void. Only after her defeat were they able to escape imprisonment.
9 Why The Crown Of Souls Is So Important
The three travel to the end of the base game to stop Fire God Liu Kang from breaking the hourglass without Kronika's Crown of Souls. If he breaks it without having the headgear, he will be unable to reset the timeline and likely end existence.
Despite Shang Tsung's track record, the heroes feel they have no choice but to trust the sorcerer and send him back in time to retrieve the crown.
8 Why They Revive Sindel
The trio land back in time right after past and present merge in the base game and Kitana assaults Shao Kahn's army. This alerts Kronika to their presence, who sends her daughter, Cetrion, to deal with the nuisance. Predicting this play by their enemy, Shang Tsung feels the only way to safely make it to his island and confront the goddess is to revive Sindel. Little did others know, Shang Tsung had other, more nefarious reasons for reviving Sindel.
7 Why Raiden Is Powerless In The Intro
Aftermath begins right where the base game ends. Raiden is, curiously, without his powers.
Given the year-long gap between the original release and expansion, it is easy to forget how he merged his powers with Liu Kang to grant the warrior his new status as the Fire God. It is unknown what this means for the character in the series' future, however. A Mortal Kombat without Raiden would certainly shake things up.
6 Sindel's Origin
All this time everyone believed Sindel to be a victim of Shao Kahn's conquest. However, shortly after her revival, she rescues him and ultimately reveals her willing participation in the downfall of Edenia and King Jerrod, her first husband. This comes as a shock to everyone, who at worst expected Shang Tsung to brainwash her. For fans, it changes a story the games told for more than twenty years.
5 Kitana Kahn
People refer to Kitana as Kahn during the story. For those who may have forgotten, in Mortal Kombat 11 she finally mounts a successful assault against Shao Kahn and takes over his throne. She is reluctant at first because of her age and inexperience, but ultimately accepts the position. Unfortunately, this leads to her downfall during Aftermath.
4 Shang Tsung's Betrayal
Most expected this, but Shang Tsung plays friendly for a while before showing his cards. Kronika reveals their previous partnership and Shang Tsung's hand in creating the crown, though the protagonists still work with him after this. Because he knows the true story behind Sindel's origins, he uses hers and Shao Kahn's scheme to weaken the forces of good. Once the two serve their purpose, he steals their souls and takes the crown for himself.
3 Nightwolf's Death
Nightwolf speaks about dying before the events of the game, and it is brought up again once they talk about Sindel. In Mortal Kombat 9 from 2011, Quan Chi revives Sindel. Shortly after, Shao Kahn steals Shang Tsung's soul and infuses it with Sindel to make her even more powerful. The revived former queen of Edenia is moments away from killing Kitana, her own daughter, before Nightwolf sacrifices himself to stop her.
2 Chaosrealm
Upon first encountering the immortal Geras, Shang Tsung banishes him to the Chaosrealm and mentions Havik. Fans of the three games prior to Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe will recognize this name as a character introduced in Mortal Kombat: Deception.
The new characters from Deadly Alliance, Deception, and Armageddon are not as celebrated, but Havik is fondly remembered, so the brief lip service is a nice shoutout to fans. Perhaps he'll make a return in the future.
1 Fire God Liu Kang's Ending
The expansion has two endings, one of which has Shang Tsung winning and the other has Liu Kang reigning victorious and resetting the timeline. The final scene of the latter ending sees Liu Kang approach Kung Lao and choose him as Earthrealm's champion. However, this is not the Kung Lao players are familiar with, but instead the Great Kung Lao, Liu Kang and his cousin's ancestor. Does this imply that a future Mortal Kombat will be a prequel?