Game Review: Injustice Gods Among Us
This is the last pre-written game review I have. It's also the first review of a major game from a well-established developer. From here on out, I will construct future game reviews by scratch.
Fighting games come in various flavors: there
are the brawlers, such as Super Smash Bros, the flashy over-the-top fighters,
mostly seen in the Capcom VS Series, and the intense 1 on 1’s a la Mortal
Kombat. Seeing as Injustice is developed by NetherRealm Studios, the people
behind the last Mortal Kombat this falls into the latter category. However the
gruesome fatalities and graphic details are exchanged for characters of the DC
Comics Universe.
 |
| Just a small look at the graphical style and what characters made the cut |
If you are worried that this is anything like
the lesser-acclaimed Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, then fear not, for this
improves on what that game failed on. You are given a variety of characters (24
to start with all unlocked) with staples like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman
to others like Ares, Raven, Nightwing and more (with other characters added on
as future DLC). Each character also has
a variety of alternate outfits from those found in the game, to others coming
from famous storylines (Flash and Nightwing have a New 52 outfit, Bane’s
Knightfall outfit, Flashpoint outfits for Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Deathstroke
and so much more).
The story deals with elements found in your
regular DC Comic storylines: alternate universes, different versions etc. The
story has our heroes being warped into an alternate Earth, where Superman
reigns supreme after a horrifying tragedy, which had him accidently killing
Lois Lane and blowing up Metropolis. That’s about as far as I’ll get into the
story without spoiling anything, so I’ll say no more.
Added to the Single Player portion are
Battles. I can best compare this to Arcade Mode in Marvel vs. Capcom and Street
Fighter. Alongside the Classic mode, there are also options to fight under
pre-set conditions such as you fight only villains or each fight you are
poisoned, with bits of your health witling away, or a straight gauntlet against
all fighters with one health bar. Each of these concludes with a specific
character ending.
As for the combat system, you got your
fighting game basics with a light, medium, and heavy attack button. You then
string them together with combinations of buttons and analog movements. As you
fight, your meter builds up and which you can then use for either a meter burn
with a combo or use a full meter for an impressive looking super. Some of these
supers include: Raven calling in her father, Trigon, to deal pain; Sinestro slamming
you with 2 meteor rocks; Green Arrow firing a bunch of explosive arrows, as you
are tied to the ground; and one of my personal favorites, Aquaman drowning you
in the sea then feeding you to a shark.
The stages also have interactive parts to it
and each character uses them differently. For example, Flash could use a car as
a springboard to get behind the opponent, whereas Solomon Grundy picks it up
and slams it on you. You can also do stage transitions to different tiers of
the stage. For example, one transition in Joker’s Asylum will have you being
beaten up by various Batman villains in a vicious manner (all in their Arkham series
skins I may add) or a transition in Metropolis has you being sent crashing
through the Daily Planet and up several floors. Personal favorite stage for me
would have to be The Watchtower!
Each character also has a special power next
to your meter, which can have a variety of effects such as a boost in their
attack (such as Superman gaining power from the Sun temporarily), boost in
their defense (Doomsday gaining what looks like a second harder skin), accessing
a weapon for a completely new move set (Nightwing swapping between his Escrima
Sticks and a Staff and Wonder Woman swapping between her Lasso and a
Sword/Shield), utilizing a special aspect (Flash uses the Speed Force to slow
down your opponent) or gaining an item to use (Batman’s Batarangs and Ares
throwing an Axe or a Sword). I found it
to be a welcome addition as it truly does make each character stand out.
The meter also serves for a unique feature
known as clashes. At some point in a fight, the battle is halted and you wager
an amount of your meter, while both characters exchange an epic line. If the
person who initiates the clash wins, a certain amount of health is regained,
but if he loses, the opponent will benefit instead.
The online function is typical for fighters,
with ranked matches and spectating fights as you wait. You can even customize
your player card to be viewable when you participate in these matches, with
dozens of options to unlock spending cards earned by leveling up including a
portrait, icon and background. Thankfully you level up your player, not each
character separately. That would be incredibly tedious.
Lastly the game includes an Archive section,
which allows you to spend access cards and armory keys on concept art, music
and the various alternate outfits of each character.
The only complaint is that sometimes I felt
like my combos didn’t register well (could be that either I just suck at
fighters or controller issues. The tutorial does do a whole lot to prepare you with
the basics and advanced moves and combos (plus there is a Training mode). The
graphics are amazing as each character is very detailed with an interesting
look and the arenas are also well designed.
The voice acting is also top-notch, with fan
favorites such as Kevin Conroy, Tara Strong and other known video game voice
actors such as Troy Baker and Steve Blum. DC Comics fans will love the cameos
spotted in the stage and the various nods and references to all things DC from
Martian Manhunter observing in the background of the Watchtower stage, to Joker
incorporating his iconic crowbar used in the Death in The Family storyline.
 |
| Typical battle screen layout |
