Injustice: Gods Among Us

Edward Cross

Review Writing

4-26-13

Injustice: Gods Among Us

     The fighting genre is a unique gaming platform. Each game centers on juggling and stringing together combos for hits and damage, but many games have their own spin on that formula. Capcom games, like the Street Fighter series and some spinoffs, usually play in two dimensions. Combos happen in that plan at a rapid pace depending on player skill. The Tekken series is three dimensional. Players can sidestep and feint blows into either the foreground or backround. Characters can string together combos over the entire environment. Mortal Kombat has gone through several revamps over the years and finally found a niche that works. The new games coming out of NetherRealm studios, the developers, keep their two dimensional roots that made them successful, while making the stage environments interactive weapons. It’s a great concept when applied to the makers of Mortal Kombat’s newest release: Injustice: Gods Among Us.

     NetherRealm and Warner Brothers collaborated on another endeavor using the DC Comics universe as a fighter platform. This time it actually worked. The previous game, Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe, was a flop with boring gameplay and shoddy graphics. It did a disservice to both franchises. Injustice perfects the idea of environment as a weapon, and delivers a competitive fighter. There are some rehashed aspects of Injustice that are borrowed from other games, like super moves, but they are not a detriment to gameplay. The new “Clash Wager” provides an interesting dynamic to combat, and to fighters in general.

     The Clash system works as a buffer to getting steamrolled. Players that lose a round can wager their super meter against the opponents for generate an effect if they win. Some effects include things like health regeneration, or attack damager increases. The drawback is that clashing is a singular use. It’s a nifty idea that changes the flow of rounds often dictated by lightning fast juggles and combos. Injustice isn’t all about the multiplayer, though. The campaign story is comic book gold.

     Comic book stories often span multiple characters and their own arcs. Injustice is no exception. NetherRealm Studios uses what they know and fashioned the campaign mode like newer Mortal Kombats. Players sample a wide variety of characters in the campaign. Each has their own contribution to the overall story. The narrative is also masterfully done. NetherRealm crafted the campaign with the assistance of DC Comics writers, and it shows. It’s like reading through a good graphic novel, or watching an episode of Justice League Unlimited. There’s appropriate action, drama, and intrigue to keep players hooked and suspenseful. After the story ends, players can choose from a host of different challenge modes.

     There are many trials to choose from that all encourage players to practice. Survivor mode keeps players at the same health into upcoming matches, which teaches patience and punishes button mashers. King of the Hill, a mode usually reserved for shooters, makes an appearance in Injustice. Spectators wait until their turn to dethrone the player racking up wins. It’s a great mode for a competitive game that requires roster mastery. The Star Labs challenges are all about taking a single character to its full potential which makes it the ideal mode for players that enjoy that single character focus. All the characters have gorgeous looks because art direction is at the heart of this heroic fighter.

     Models are stylized according to the “52” reboot to a core of DC’s recognizable characters. Batman looks more like the Dark Knight version than the highly recognized 90’s animated classic. Superman looks alien in his new costume. Wonder Woman dons visible armor and a shield instead of her normal star-spangled tights, and the Flash looks armored with Speedforce trails pulsating throughout his body. The environments also look straight out of a comic. There interactivity flows well when used and nothing is lost in transitions. The super moves are also done well and add cinematic moments to fights on par with the legendary summon spells of the Final Fantasy series.

     Injustice is a decent addition to any gamer’s library and a must have for fighter aficionados. New players might have trouble mastering the learning curve but its not a steep one because of all the practice modes. Even if you’re a Marvel and not a fan of DC, the story is compelling and well crafted. The gameplay is addictive and fun even without knowing much about fighters. All the modes offer great variety. NetherRealm Studios finally got a great game out of the DC universe.