Ghostface is the latest addition to Mortal Kombat 1, and he brings a killer new approach to the iconic fighting game franchise. Debuting in 1996's Scream and quickly becoming the face of the franchise (even while different characters wore the mask in each subsequent film), Ghostface had endured as a post-modern take on the slasher villain. Designed as a self-aware character who is quick to point out the tropes that he's actively embodying, Ghostface's more sardonic side has never fully undercut the horrifying nature of the character.

It's those qualities that Mortal Kombat 1's version of Ghostface proved to be a deceptively tricky but rewardingly brutal character that fans of the slasher franchise and the fighting game series alike will love.

Ghostface Is In The Building

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The second batch of Mortal Kombat 1 DLC, titled "Khaos Reigns," adds three new guest characters to the roster of Mortal Kombat 1. The first of these is Ghostface, the masked killer at the heart of the Scream franchise. Across that series, multiple characters have donned the mask and taken up the knife of the murderer, targeting people with a very self-aware approach to the horror genre. That gleeful sense of gory fun is something the Scream films have in common with the perpetually gory Mortal Kombat games, making Ghostface an ideal addition to the game's roster.

Ghostface operates as a single fighter, but Mortal Kombat 1 references the films' habit of having multiple people under the mask by incorporating a second Ghostface into some attacks and cinematics. The result is a close-combat fighter who lacks long-range options but makes up for it with multiple ways to quickly close distance. This includes moves like "Psychotic Rush" that sends Ghostface sprinting across the stage or "Backstage ," where Ghostface sneaks off-screen and pops up behind their opponent. The second Ghostface killer can also briefly the fray thanks to "Always Outnumbered," which sees Ghostface call in for backup.

Ghostface Gets Up Close And Personal In Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat Games Don't Create Killers: Mortal Kombat Games Make Killers More Creative

Ghostface's main draw is his efficient brutality. While he can deliver kicks and punches, his primary form of attack is with his handy knife. These bladed attacks string together into devastating combos, especially if players can catch their opponent with a "Psychotic Rush" and deliver a series of stabs to the chest and stomach. One of Ghostface's most entertaining and cathartic moves is "Father Death," a quick combo that can send an opponent flying with a number of new wounds. Successfully combating Ghostface comes down to overwhelming him with range attacks or establishing distance either through agility or flight.

These toolkits counter Ghostface fairly well, as he relies almost entirely on close combat. Because of this, players using Ghostface better get used to using their speed boost from "Psychotic Rush" or quasi-teleport with "Backstage " to keep the fight close and personal. This means it can be easy to get boxed out by, and steadily picked off by, Kameo Attacks. Luckily, Ghostface can make up for his lack of range with a good pick for his own Kameo Attack. Kano makes for a perfect companion to Ghostface, deploying laser blasts and throwing knives to make up for Ghostface's lack of range.

How Ghostface Brings Scream To Mortal Kombat

He's Just A Guy With A Knife, But What A Guy

Perhaps the most impressive element of Ghostface's inclusion in Mortal Kombat 1 is how seamlessly the meta-killer fits into the world of murderers and monsters that populate the fighting series. Ghostface delivers plenty of tongue-in-cheek comments to his enemies before combat, teasing his enduring popularity while also poking fun at the mechanics of the fictional universe. This is especially true during mirror match-ups against another Ghostface, with the pair commenting how imitation is the sincerest - and deadliest - form of flattery. The characters also make plenty of sly references to his debut film in Wes Craven's Scream: including calling potential victims on the phone while making his way towards the battle.

Ghostface's fatality, "Slashing the Fourth Wall," is a terrifically bloody show of brutality that plays with the conventions of the video game series in a fun way. The killer even gets a few moments mid-fight to deliver the kind of jump scares that audiences would be more accustomed to seeing in horror films, especially during "Slashing the Fourth Wall." Ghostface works within the self-aware over-the-top nature of Mortal Kombat 1, and is an exciting addition to a game that was already full of memorable killers.

Ghostface comes to Mortal Kombat 1 in Early Access on November 19 and will fully release on November 26.