Game News
Netherrealm Studio had the first gameplay reveal for their upcoming DC Comics-based fighting game, Injustice 2, during the Pro League Season 3 Finals for Mortal Kombat X and revealed a good deal of information. Three new characters have been confirmed for the playable roster, including Supergirl, Red Lantern Atrocitus (pictured above), and Gorilla Grodd. They’ll be joining returning characters Superman, Batman, The Flash, and Aquaman. Aquaman’s archnemesis Black Manta can also be spotted in the trailer, but it’s unclear if he will be playable or if he simply appears as a part of a stage-transition effect. Speaking of which, stage-transitions have been confirmed to make a return from the first Injustice. One new feature is the personal intros for fights taken from Mortal Kombat X. At the start of each match, the two fighters with have short conversations unique to each other.
The trailer ends with quick glimpses of the cast with varied appearances. This aren’t alternate costumes, but part of an RPG customization system that will be the biggest change for Injustice 2. How exactly this customization will effect gameplay is currently unknown, but it is something worth taking concern with. Street Fighter X Tekken featured a customization system of its own and it quickly killed the game’s community. There were certain builds for characters that ere definitively better than others and balancing for the game was a nightmare.
However, Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS also had character customization and fared much better by taking a very reserved approach and kept customization relegated to being a bonus option rather than pushed as the way the game was meant to be played. The downside there is that many players neglected the customization and the complex system mostly went unused. Whether or not Injustice 2 will be able to avoid these same drawbacks remains to be seen, but fans should be cautious that this could be the title’s downfall.
Finally, there have been potential hints dropped at characters that may be joining the roster. The Pro League tournament featured an official t-shirt for Injustice 2 that features various character logos. Two of the logos along the right suggest that Harley Quinn and Green Lantern are returning, while the two along the bottom hint at Dr. Fate and Capt. Cold joining the cast. Lead designer Ed Boon has also been posting various hints on his Twitter feed, including a poll featuring the afoementioned Capt. Cold, Blue Beetle, and Swamp Thing.
Blue Beetle, Swamp Thing, and Dr. Fate also featured on a poll held by Boon years ago that ultimately led to Zatanna being added to the first Injustice as a DLC character, so it would make sense if they were to appear in the sequel. That poll also featured Static, who placed second, Red Hood (the second Robin), who placed third, and Power Girl, who may miss her chance given her similarities to the already-confirmed Supergirl.
We’ll be getting even more info on Injustice 2 very soon when it appears at E3. What are your thoughts on how the game is shaping up so far? How do you hope the customization will work? Which heroes or villains do you want to see join the roster? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
