Ben-DutkaDeveloper NetherRealm Studios proved they had what it takes to make a fantastic fighting game after the Mortal Kombat reboot wowed critics and gamers alike. They successfully returned the iconic franchise to its roots and made all the fans happy. No easy feat, and one that should be applauded. The team is ready to throw down again, too, as Injustice: Gods Among Us pits our favorite superheroes against one another in an all-new form of “mortal combat.” Or rather, immortal combat…? Anyway, both superhero and fighting aficionados should put Injustice atop their most-wanted lists.
From the media released thus far, we’re looking at a very clean, impressive visual presentation complete with mind-blowing special effects and slick, highly detailed character creation. This game looks a lot brighter than Mortal Kombat , as there appears to be more in the way of vibrant color and rich, bright hues. The best part is that with over 20 characters on tap for the complete roster, each fighter will feature meticulous design, which will undoubtedly satisfy the hardcore fans. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, The Flash, Harley Quinn, Solomon Grundy, etc, etc, etc.; they all look amazing in the screenshots and videos we’ve seen.
NetherRealm has sworn to create entirely unique combination attacks and styles for each fighter, which of course will be tailored to the lore and personality of that character. For instance, Superman can fly so he hovers just above the ground, and Batman has a bevy of fancy tools at his disposal, which are bound to challenge even the supernaturally endowed. The developers have said they want each fighter to look and move “as you always knew they would,” so they’re really trying to stay faithful to the fantastical stories behind each compelling character. When the game finally arrives, the die-hard Superman fans should go, “Yep, that’s how I would imagine he fights.”
Plus, NetherRealm is throwing in an interesting twist: Environmental interaction. You can take advantage of your surroundings to execute a series of super powerful and ultimately damaging attacks that keep your opponent off balance. Cooler still is the fact that we’re not talking about randomly generated combat arenas (kinda like the ones we always had in MK); each character has his or her home, so-to-speak, and that presents the “visitor” with new obstacles. For instance, Batman can use the Batcave to his advantage in a variety of ways. This type of feature enhances the depth of the game and adds a dynamic level of depth and intrigue.
Maybe you just want to pick something up and throw it at your oncoming opponent, or perhaps you’ll combine your fighter’s inherent ability/equipment with the environment, thereby utilizing a strategic assault. The more you use your surroundings, the more it changes during a fight, so different attacks may be possible after a certain amount of time in the ring. It’ll also be interesting to see how NetherRealm handles the unique combos for each character; can we expect roughly the same speed and flow that we saw in Mortal Kombat ? Or will that be altered a little for accessibility sake? They have said they’re trying to make this feel like a “summer blockbuster” of sorts. Well, superheroes and the blockbusters go together in film, right?
Injustice: Gods Among Us will be ready to throw down on April 16.
