Superheroes are currently experiencing a golden age, whether in movies, TV series, or games. While Marvel is making a better impression on the big screen, they are clearly lagging behind DC in the gaming world. This was already evident with "Injustice: Gods Among Us," a beat 'em up from NetherRealm that offered not only an interesting story but also great gameplay. With "Injustice 2The team is now trying to build on their previous success and has incorporated several new ideas to make the gameplay even more interesting. At the same time, they face stiff competition from "Tekken 7" and "GUILTY GEAR Xrd REV 2," which are also currently battling it out. We've taken a closer look at who will ultimately land the best blow – Round 1: Injustice 2.
Of fallen heroes, exciting battles and mighty armor
"Injustice 2" picks up exactly where its predecessor left off: Superman, who in the first film ruled and controlled the world with brutal force – until his eventual defeat by Batman – is imprisoned and stripped of his powers by the red energy of the sun. His former allies, such as Wonder Woman and Black Adam, are trying to free the former hero, because the world faces a new problem: The highly intelligent android Brainiac is on his way to collect Earth's major cities, destroy the rest of the planet, and ultimately, destroy Superman. Years earlier, Brainiac had already invaded Superman's home world of Krypton. What Superman doesn't know, however, is that he isn't the last Kryptonian, as his cousin, Kara Zor-El, also escaped and now stands by the (more or less) heroes' side.
The story offers a number of interesting and exciting elements, unexpected twists, and the struggle between two former friends who now find themselves on opposing sides: absolute justice versus absolute control. The individual character development, their role in the overall plot, and their personal struggles also create a pleasing dynamic that integrates well into the game.
The core element of the game is, of course, the combat. Anyone who has played the predecessor, or even "Mortal Kombat X," will feel right at home: We face our opponents in 1v1 battles, no teams, no substitutions. The combination of light, medium, and heavy attacks results in well-executed combo attacks, each tailored to the respective fighter, such as Batman or Green Lantern. This also includes the respective special attacks, which allow us to inflict even more damage on our opponent, for example, through special holds, projectiles, or other elements. The individual combinations have been somewhat simplified to help players avoid randomly mashing buttons, as combos are now easier to learn. Unfortunately, button-mashing is still too effective in some cases, and the desired combination doesn't always succeed, which can be very frustrating and problematic.
In addition to the special moves, there are also super attacks that can be triggered when the "Meter Burn" gauge is full. These unleash a short sequence where things really get intense. We're talking Batwing attacks, orbital strikes, and total destruction. The game doesn't skimp on over-the-top visuals, nor on the integration of the arena environment. Just like before, you can use objects like tires, signs, or even bar patrons, throwing them at your opponent and inflicting serious damage. The popular arena transitions are also back, launching your enemy out of the current stage, causing them to stumble into cars, signs, Killer Croc, or other foes before landing on a new level. This not only looks incredibly cool but also opens up entirely new tactical possibilities.
Every fight defines you more
While all of this was already known from the predecessor, one element brings about a major change, namely the subtitle "Every fight defines you" This isn't a random choice. In each battle, you collect experience points for one of your approximately 30 superheroes/villains, leveling up and improving their HP, attack, and defense. Furthermore, you unlock new equipment such as pants, capes, or weapons as you progress through battles or by opening "Mother Boxes," which can be purchased with credits or obtained through specific actions. These items not only provide visual changes but also boost the heroes' and villains' powers and equip them with special effects. You can also assign them special abilities, unlocking new combos or special attacks. Over time, this transforms them into ultimate fighting machines, allowing you to customize them to your own individual playstyle.
This constant evolution is truly enjoyable and continually fuels interest and motivation. It's a shame, however, that some equipment can only be used after reaching a certain character level, requiring a significant time investment. This is definitely worthwhile, though, as there are also special sets that offer a lot. Unfortunately, unlocked armor can only be upgraded to the current level using special regeneration tokens. While these can occasionally be unlocked, if you want to use them extensively, you inevitably have to purchase them with real money.
The light combos, combined with special attacks and environmental interaction, make for fast-paced combat that, while perhaps having its weaknesses here and there, is nonetheless thoroughly compelling and fits perfectly into the well-executed and engaging story. The equipment system is particularly enjoyable, providing not only high replay value but also allowing for skillful combinations of armor and abilities. The AI remains fairly consistent, but becomes quite challenging at certain difficulty levels, requiring some experience and practice.
Lots to do, lots to see
Besides the roughly 7-8 hour campaign, there are plenty of other ways to get down and dirty. These include classic arcade modes where each character has their own little story, a practice mode where you can improve your gameplay and try out new combos, and a multiplayer mode where you can compete against local friends or against people worldwide via lobbies. These battles can also be customized to your liking. Furthermore, there's a tournament mode, which is particularly user-friendly offline, ensuring a level playing field if one player chooses a highly developed character while their opponent has a less developed fighter. This is very fair and prevents unnecessary frustration or unfair dominance. Unfortunately, there's no tournament bracket to adjust, which makes the term "tournament" somewhat misleading.
For those aiming for a greater goal, the newly introduced "Multiverse Mode" is particularly appealing. In this mode, the "BrotherEye" program, a surveillance program developed by Batman, scans the various Earths of the different universes for threats, providing support and ensuring peace and security throughout the multiverse. Each planet offers multiple events with consecutive battles. These events have various prerequisites, such as a certain character level or the prior completion of a mission, while the battles themselves are influenced by modifiers. For example, the "Zoom's Power" mod grants super-fast movement, while the "Ice Storm" mod causes the player to be periodically frozen. This adds an exciting element to the battles, either creating challenges or providing a tactical advantage. For those who prefer teamwork, the game can be combined with a guild of up to 50 players who work together on the multiverse, completing tasks and unlocking numerous accessories and extras. The mode not only provides variety overall, but also offers exciting battles and new elements time and again, thus keeping motivation high and providing the appropriate level of excitement.
But "Injustice 2" doesn't just excel in gameplay; it also shines in terms of atmosphere. The fantastic character models are particularly striking, each one clearly crafted with great care and attention to detail. They look amazing, displaying expressive faces, not just in cutscenes but also during combat. It's truly a pleasure to take a closer look. The same goes for the arenas, which are once again packed with exciting elements and hidden details, even if they are somewhat less elaborate than in the first game. Unfortunately, there are "only" 12 different stages. Nevertheless, they are full of life and action, just like the fights themselves, which can be incredibly fast and furious thanks to numerous effects, especially the special moves. Even the brief transitions are rich in detail and appealing elements.
Of course, the graphical representation of the individual outfits is also a key aspect. The various equipment options result in subtle changes that create truly cool suits, which also match the respective colors. In terms of overall layout, some characters are now more closely aligned with their film and television counterparts. For example, the Joker, who makes a brief cameo, has been given a distinct "Suicide Squad" makeover, while Flash resembles the TV series' Barry Allen. However, the characters don't lose any of their charisma or authenticity. A particularly nice touch: Characters like Flash, Green Lantern, and Captain Cold have unique designs that completely transform their personalities, turning Flash into Reverse-Flash or Mr. Snart into Mr. Freeze – from their appearance to their voice acting; only their moves remain the same.
Speaking of voice acting: it's really well done, as it mostly uses the original voices, just like you'd expect from movies or other games. Add to that a well-mixed soundtrack, and you have a pleasant atmosphere overall, drawing you deep into the battles and making you quickly lose track of time, especially given the short battles.
In terms of scope and atmosphere, there's not much to criticize. Nearly 30 fighters, 12 arenas, and numerous modes offer plenty of opportunities to unleash your inner warrior. However, it's already known that nine more fighters will be added later as paid DLC, similar to the first game and Mortal Kombat. Exactly who these will be is only partially known at this time.
Developer: NetherRealm Studios / DC // Publisher: Warner Bros. // Release: Available // Official Homepage: www.injustice.com
