"It's a Video Game!" - Injustice 2

Who knew an alternate universe where Superman crosses the line and becomes a dictator would be an actual thing these days? Yeah, it’s shown up in comics before, but you rarely saw it in other media. In 2013, Netherrealm Studios decided to take the leap in ticking off Superman fans around the world with Injustice: Gods Among Us. It takes place in an alternate universe where the Joker killed Lois, their unborn child, and all of Metropolis by tricking Superman. Superman then killed Joker and decided to take a tougher approach against evil. He and other heroes formed the Regime and basically took over the world. It took that world’s heroes (led by Batman) and the regular universe’s heroes (including a good Superman) to stop the Superman’s Regime.

Since the game and the digital series were successes, a sequel was likely to come. While I’m not into fighting games like I used to be, this was one I knew I’d throw out some money for. Injustice 2 was released during May of 2017. It takes place a few years after the events of the last game. The world is still trying to get back to normal after Superman’s regime fell. Unfortunately, the peace is interrupted when Brainiac and Gorilla Grodd’s group, the Society, threaten the world. Batman and the heroes must do what they can to save the day. That may also include releasing Superman from his red sun prison and teaming up with former friends-turned-enemies.


PROS

Great cinematic scenes.

• Good Gameplay and Stages – The gameplay mechanics are on par with the previous outing and are better in some ways. The button scheme and fighting is still similar to the first game. The environment is still interactive as well. The Supermoves for each character are also there and are pretty cool when used. The fighting also feels a bit more fluid than the previous game did.
• Good Story – The story for the game is pretty good for the most part. Even though my favorite superhero and a couple of other heroes aren’t how I want them to be, it’s still good. Brainiac and the Society provide a nice threat for the heroes to face. We have former Regime members like Flash and Green Lantern trying to make up for their past misdeeds. We even have new heroes like Supergirl and Firestorm showing their stuff. When they all team up for the first time, it feels a little bittersweet since this world is pretty screwed up. There are also two endings for story mode which is pretty nice for a game like this.
• Nice Roster of Characters – The roster for the game is vast and still growing. We got a lot of folk like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Bane, and Robin/Nightwing returning. We also get a slew of new characters from the comics like Supergirl, Deadshot, Poison Ivy, Gorilla Grodd, and Black Canary. Then, there are the DLC ones that I don’t feel like spending money on yet. That being said, there is a group coming that I’ll definitely throw out money on and they aren’t DC characters either.
• Good Graphics and Facial Animation – IF there’s one area where this game trumps the last one, it’s the graphics. That’s not to say they were bad, but they weren’t great either. The environments look good. The cut scenes are pretty nice. The facial animations are especially detailed. They can be a little creepy at times, though.
• Customizable Gear – Instead of different costumes to unlock, you get the ability to unlock customizable gear. Not only does the gear help make your character look different, it also carries different stats that can help you in battle. You can even unlock different moves for your characters. There are a few unlockable costumes though. I know the Jay Garrick Flash and the Reverse Flash are alternates with the Flash.
• Nice Game Modes – We get a bit more variety in game modes this time. While you have the regular online modes and arcade stuff (called Battle Simulator), you’ll also get the Multiverse. Basically, this mode has you go up against different versions of characters and certain challenges have to be met. You’ll be able to win more customizable parts for you roster. Then, there’s Guild mode which is basically the online version of Multiverse. You get to join up with a guild, fight on a world, win gear, and get points.

CONS

While "Evil Superman" is so overplayed, I can handle it here.

There really aren’t many cons on the game, so this’ll be short. The only thing that brought story mode down for me is some of the dialogue for the characters. Some of it can be a little hammy. At least it’s coming from good voice actors including ones who voiced these characters before. As I said above about the facial animations, they are nicely detailed. That being said, they can sometimes look a little weird. I actually haven’t done much online play since I’m trying to put in some practice. What I have played is about the same as before. You’ll have a few spammers constantly using that one move to beat you. Other than those things and some small nitpicks (I can’t wear their regular costumes?), this was a pretty awesome game.

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Well, if you haven’t ran out and gotten this game, you’re probably waiting for the Ultimate Edition or something. Either way, this was an awesome sequel to the first Injustice: Gods Among Us. While it does keep some former heroes on the dark path, the gameplay, the story, and the fun is still there. I can't say this is the best current fighting game since I haven't played many recently, but it could be up there. Well, I gotta go write on the big one. Peace, God Bless, and remember to block.

Well, try to block. Man, that Jeffrey Combs-sounding, bald, tall, creepy-looking dude is hard to beat!