Kung Lao, the Shaolin monk with the razor-brimmed hat, is making a return to Mortal Kombat next year in Mortal Kombat X.

Fighting game communuty TestYourMight.com user AeroGrunt posted several scans of the January issue of Finnish magazine "Pelaaja" featuring Kung Lao from Mortal Kombat X. The screens show a noticeably older Lao who is now sporting a gray goatee and a long braid of hair. The main fold image – also showcasing characters Goro, Raiden and Quan Chi – seems to be a different variant of the character with pointed tips added to Lao's signature headwear.

AeroGrunt provided a rough translation of the article from the magazine, writing the following:

"Unfortunately we couldn't get to play the story mode yet at the studio visit, but the game's story jumps 25 or so years into the future from where MK9 ended. From what we've seen and heard the ruler of the Outworld is now Kotal Khan and Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade have a daughter called Cassie. Even Scorpion has a new Sub Zero to face off against. The biggest question mark right now must be Kung Lao, who has proudly aged and seems to have escaped the last game's ending."

"Good old hat-thrower is how ever fully playable with the rest of the released characters and according to Ed Boon is one of the most diverse fighters in the game. Like the other characters he has three different playable variations, each one bringing new tricks into the gameplay."

"The differences between Kung Lao's Tempest-, Buzz Saw- and Hat Trick -variations happen to be the biggest ones yet. With Tempest Kung Lao uses more spinning attacks and has the ability to set his hat to spin around him as a shield of sorts. In his Buzz Saw variation his hat is sharpened with razor blade edges and allows the player to control his hat throws more. Hat Trick is the most experimental of the three, because you can throw and call back your hat at any point you want. This keeps the opponent on their toes, because the hat can extend combos."

"If bugs or glitches would appear in Mortal Kombat X, it has the same automatic update system from Injustice that allows for hotfixes."

"Ed Boon guarantees, that the online features are much more complex this time around. For example when you start the game you get to choose your own alliance from five different options: Lin Kuei, White Lotus, Brotherhood of Shadows, Special Force and Black Dragon. Basically each team gathers so called "battle points" for their team, which decides how the game's menus look both in single and multiplayer. This way each player contributes to the entirety whether or not you prefer the social aspects or playing by yourself."

"Even more diverse content is promised, for the challenge tower is making it's return. This time around the towers and their challenges change constantly, even by the hour."

The thee different variations of Kung Lao all seem quite interesting, creating a well rounded offensive and defensive character. I can only imagine what gorey new fatalities Netherrealm has concocted for Kung Lao considering his new buzz saw hat and how gruesome the first finishers to be revealed have appeared.

Remember that this is a leak and only a rumor at this point, nothing has been confirmed by Netherrealm Studios. You can check out the scanned images of Kung Lao below and expect to lay the smackdown on your friends with Scorpion, Sub-Zero and all your favorite characters when Mortal Kombat X releases on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC on April 14th, 2015.