Injustice leads the superhero smackdown

[See the original image on www.injustice.com]

Available formats: XB360, PS3, WII U

Reviewed on: XB360

Rating: T for Teen

MANILA, Philippines – For many beat ‘em up fans, there is only one genre-defining superhero fighting game: the long running Marvel vs. Capcom series. The first Marvel vs. Capcom game came out in the mid ‘90s at the height of the genre’s popularity. Capcom, as we all know, is the developer of the Street Fighter series. A well-known Street Fighter adversary at the time is the uber-violent Mortal Kombat. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe arrived in 2008, much late in the fight for the superhero crossover brawler crown. 

As a DC superhero fighting game, Injustice: Gods Among Us claims its pedigree from the Mortal Kombat franchise. The game is developed by NetherRealm Studios which now makes the Mortal Kombat games after taking over from the defunct Midway Games. Injustice removes the crossover element and fills its fighter roster with superheroes and supervillains from the DC universe. 

Video games have always been effective tools for virtual empowerment and transcending individual physical limitations. Games have evolved into deeply complex simulations for our vicarious enjoyment. Injustice doesn’t quite “simulate” anything accurately but it might be useful for those who have reached an impasse that has remained unsettled since their schoolyard days. Who would really win in a superpowered fisticuff: Superman or Shazam? Batman or Green Arrow? Flash or Green Lantern? On the side of the supervillains: Solomon Grundy or Bane? Harley Quinn or Catwoman? Doomsday or Black Adam?

[See the original image on www.injustice.com]

From a comic book standpoint, pitting Batman (sans powered armor and Kryptonite-laced weaponry) against Superman or Wonder Woman versus Green Arrow isn’t exactly a fair proposition. Throwing even comic book logic to the wind, Injustice turns to video game logic in concocting match-ups between metahumans who have different levels of super powers. Like most discussions anyone has had in their schoolyard as kids, the use of logic is optional, especially if it gets in the way of a good verbal tussle.

With an extensive DC universe source material behind it, one would expect Injustice to have a stellar backstory. Epic DC story arcs such as Kingdom Come or Crisis on Infinite Earths come to mind. Sadly, like most fighting games, the story takes a backseat although it still beats the story mode of other fighting games out there.

Meant as a shocking twist, the main villain in story mode is Superman, or to be more precise, Superman from an alternate reality. Because of the murder of his family at the hands of the genocidal Joker, alternate Superman has decided that a police state is an ideal form of world government. Either through coercion and intimidation, he has made other Justice League members bend to his will. The exception is alternate Batman who has chosen to take the side of the insurgents. 

[See the original image on www.injustice.com]

A dimensional rift sends the prime versions of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Batman (with Joker in tow) to this alternate reality. Prime Superman joins the party much later in the alterverse with the help of a dimensional gate powered by Flash on a treadmill. We kid you not. As the story progresses, it sounds more like Super Friends than Infinite Crisis. Most of the cut scenes are cringe-worthy with bland voice acting. An exception is the excellent voice work by longtime Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy.

Another sore point for Injustice is the character design. Despite the extremely detailed designs, NetherRealm seems to be trying too hard with its reinterpretation of iconic costumes. Superman ends up having crimson shoulder pads or Batman looking by the way of a Joel Schumacher movie. Flash, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman’s costumes also look unnecessarily gaudy. While it’s understandable for someone like the Joker to have a deformed face, it makes absolutely no sense for Aquaman and Wonder Woman to have disturbingly ugly faces. One look at Wonder Woman and you’ll start to think that the game’s title refers to her: the injustice done to her beautiful Amazonian physique.

Derivative plot and silly dialogue notwithstanding, we all know that the story is just an excuse for a superhero smackdown of epic proportions. In this arena, Injustice packs a superpowered punch while addressing the issue of character imbalance. In the world of Injustice, no character is too weak or too powerful to prevent them from fighting each other.

[See the original image on www.injustice.com]

The game divides heroes and villains into two main categories: power and gadget users. Power users are those with built-in metahuman ability like Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Black Adam, and Doomsday. Gadget characters are the likes of Batman, Green Arrow, Cyborg, Joker, and Lex Luthor. 

Combat moves on a 2D plane with characters having 3 levels of attacks, a dodge move, and a unique ability. With every successful attack or block, a power meter gets filled which can be used in various ways. Using the special abilities can be fun, especially when you see the lengthy and over-the-top animation. Flash circles the world for a charged punch, Sinestro sends his opponent to outer space, and Batman activates the Batmobile as a battering ram. 

Injustice also gives a lot of attention to the arenas which are fully rendered in 3D and have multiple levels. There is also a degree of character interactivity with the environment. Apart from the usual destruction to the surroundings, the players can also activate special areas of the arena to deliver extra damage to their opponents. Familiar places such as the Fortress of Solitude, the Batcave, Watchtower, Hall of Justice, and Atlantis serve as backdrop for the superhero battles.

Watch the trailer here:

Once you get over the throwaway story, Injustice is a competent brawler that’s extremely satisfying to play. Perhaps like the Justice League, it’s greatest strength is the powerful unity of the different parts that make a good fighting game. – Rappler.com

 

Ed Geronia Jr. is the chief information officer of Sari Software Solutions. He is the former editor in chief of PC Gamer magazine and Games Master Philippines magazine, and former associate editor of T3 Philippines magazine.