Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a thrilling and visually stunning game that combines the best elements of Destiny and Crackdown. Set in a vast open world, the game offers players an immersive and action-packed experience. Building upon the events of Arkham Knight, the storyline follows the Suicide Squad as they are assigned the daunting task of eliminating the corrupted Justice League, who have fallen under Brainiac's control.
As players navigate through the devastated city of Metropolis, they are confronted with the harrowing reality of millions of lives lost. The game's exceptional graphics and captivating sound design further enhance the overall gameplay experience. Although the game has garnered immense popularity within the genre, there are still some minor issues that should be addressed.
Storyline Unveiled
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League brings the thrilling opportunity to step into the shoes of iconic anti-heroes such as Harley Quinn, King Shark, Deadshot, and Captain Boomerang, either as a lone wolf or with a group of up to three friends. Unlike other superhero games like Marvel's Avengers, this title seamlessly integrates the live-service element right from the start. From the moment Amanda Waller pulls you out of prison and parachutes you into the sprawling city of Metropolis, the game becomes an immersive co-op experience.
The cityscape is breathtaking, with Brainiac's menacing skull ship casting a shadow over the chaos-filled streets. In this iteration of the Arkhamverse, the Justice League comprises Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Batman, and Superman. As you embark on over 10 hours of gameplay (if you choose to focus on the main storyline), the stakes are raised as you witness the transformation of these iconic heroes.
People may enjoy spoiling things for others, but I do not share the same sentiment. For those approaching the game for the first time, be aware that it is unapologetically gritty and closer to an R-rating compared to previous titles from Rocksteady. The writing is exceptional, with occasional profanity and a generous amount of “asshole” and “shit” sprinkled throughout.
The game seamlessly blends serious moments, accompanied by the iconic Batman Arkham-style music, with clever humor that resonates with me as a gamer. The voice acting is top-notch, capturing the essence of both heroes and villains flawlessly. Additionally, Lois Lane's presence is felt throughout the city as she live vlogs the unfolding events on screens and billboards.
The game truly shines in its setup as a Destiny-style live-service game. Unlike other games where the multiplayer aspect feels like an afterthought, this game seamlessly integrates both single-player and multiplayer experiences. Even if you choose to play solo, the AI squad members are always there to provide support, adapting to the number of players in the game.
However, there is one significant drawback that affected my overall enjoyment of the game – the lack of mission variety. These types of games often become repetitive, with players constantly running to a location, pressing a button, and defending it. Unfortunately, this game falls into that trap with only three major mission types in the base game. Despite this, the combat itself is incredible, with some of the best traversal mechanics I have ever encountered.
Suicide Squad Game Mechanics
In the game, each character has their own unique style of traversal. Deadshot, for example, utilizes a powerful jetpack that not only allows him to soar through the air, but also has the ability to over-boost for extra speed. Additionally, Deadshot's jetpack can be reset once per jump, giving him even more freedom in his movements.
Harley Quinn, on the other hand, relies on her trusty grappling gun, which she can use on a cooldown. With the help of her Bat Drone, she can perform mid-air grapples or effortlessly scale buildings, much like in the beloved Arkham games.
King Shark, being the formidable creature that he is, possesses a charged up super leap that can propel him either straight up or in a forward arc. In addition to this, he can perform up to three air dashes per jump, allowing him to cover vast distances in the blink of an eye.
Lastly, we have Captain Boomerang, who utilizes a Speed Force gauntlet that is linked to his boomerang throws. This gauntlet can be used twice per jump, and when thrown at the ground, it provides Captain Boomerang with a powerful speed burst, making him a force to be reckoned with in terms of agility and mobility. With such diverse and exciting traversal abilities, each character brings a unique and thrilling experience to the game.
In the game, all four characters possess the ability to double jump, adding an element of agility and freedom to their movements. This feature is implemented simply because, why not? Moreover, each character showcases a unique style of running up walls, which is crucial in the game's vertical setting. The majority of missions take place in the open Metropolis air, where Brainiac's minions and machines constantly pose a threat.
To enhance their combat effectiveness, each character excels with a specific subset of guns, allowing players to choose their preferred playstyle. Additionally, players start with 30-point talent trees that offer a range of abilities and skills. As they progress and reach maximum level, they unlock even more talents and extra gear slots, enabling further customization and growth.
It is difficult to delve into the specifics without giving away too many spoilers, but I can discuss how well it functions as a looter. One of the biggest challenges with any new loot-based co-op game is being able to understand and navigate the system in the midst of intense gameplay. Fortunately, SSKTJL offers a deep and easily comprehensible loot system that is also highly grindable.
Players can engage in crafting, tweaking, re-rolling, and grinding to their heart's content. However, if you are not a fan of this genre or games like Diablo, The Division, or Destiny, then SSKTJL may not be for you. But for those of us who revel in the grind, this game seems to have nailed the most important aspect, making for a promising start.
Get ready to be blown away by the exhilarating experience of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, especially if you haven't played Crackdown before. This game takes you on a wild and thrilling ride, as you navigate through a world filled with chaos and danger. From the intense gunfire to the explosive encounters with extraterrestrial beings, every moment is a heart-pounding adventure. What sets this game apart is its vibrant and diverse palette, which adds to the already captivating gameplay. With endless excitement and entertainment, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League guarantees an unforgettable and addictive gaming experience.
Outside of missions, you have the freedom to switch between characters at any time, allowing you to explore different playstyles. Whether you're unleashing King Shark's powerful smashes or jetpacking around as Deadshot, the constant movement keeps you engaged at all times. Additionally, the game's high framerate and precise aim acceleration contribute to one of the most satisfying combat experiences I have ever encountered.
The combination of gameplay and gear in Rocksteady's latest game is truly remarkable and stands out as the best I've seen in a long time. What sets it apart is how well it fits into the game's universe, making it feel like a natural part of the story. This is especially important because, as with any repeatable content, it can start to feel repetitive after a while.
However, Rocksteady manages to keep things fresh by incorporating a variety of mission types that are reused throughout the game, both in optional side content and main quests. One aspect that truly shines is the encounters with the Justice League, which always feel unique and exciting. These moments are accompanied by massive set pieces and visually stunning cutscenes, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
The highly anticipated release of SSKTJL, the latest installment in DC's Batman Arkhamverse games, has finally given fans a real glimpse into the world of some of the most iconic heroes. Among them, John Stewart's portrayal of Green Lantern is both versatile and terrifying, showcasing his immense power and determination. Barry Allen's Flash is a whirlwind of energy, capturing the essence of his lightning-fast speed.
Kevin Conroy's return as Bruce Wayne offers a chilling and demented version of the character, adding an extra layer of complexity to the game's narrative. However, it is Wonder Woman who truly steals the show. Princess Diana's appearance in SSKTJL is nothing short of breathtaking, with a visually stunning outfit that perfectly complements her fierce and empowering persona. Coupled with an outstanding vocal performance, Wonder Woman's presence in the game is a standout moment that fans won't soon forget.
SSKTJL is undeniably a breathtaking game. The graphics are stunning, with the game running smoothly at a consistent 60fps, providing a clean and visually impressive experience. The sheer scale of the city and the constant ruinous destruction it endures add a sense of grandeur to the gameplay. Personally, I found the story to be captivating, although I understand that some online users were not pleased with the portrayal of a few key characters.
Nonetheless, I appreciate the developers' courage to try something different and stick to their vision. It is evident that a lot happens in the game, and the promise of future free content only adds to the excitement and anticipation for what's to come.
Kill the Justice League Live-Service Dynamics
Rocksteady's games-a-service title is set to offer players a thrilling experience even after launch, with the introduction of episodic seasons that are completely free. While eagerly anticipating the arrival of season one, players will have the opportunity to fully level up each character and assemble impressive gear sets. It's worth noting that the game will also feature a Battle Pass, focusing solely on cosmetic items that will not expire.
Personally, I find this microtransaction model acceptable, especially considering the regular addition of new characters, changes to the iconic city of Metropolis, and captivating storylines that will always be available. However, the success of this ongoing experience heavily relies on the stability of the servers, a factor that remains to be seen.
The initial release of the game, being an online-only title, was met with a rather unfortunate start as it experienced almost ten hours of downtime on its first day of early access. However, after resolving this issue, there was an hour of planned maintenance which further hindered players from enjoying the game. One of the major drawbacks of an online-only game is that whenever the servers go down, players are left unable to play.
To address that concern, the developers have promised an offline mode to be implemented post-launch, which will undoubtedly be a welcome addition for many players. It remains to be seen, though, what aspects of the game will be accessible in this offline mode. As new content continues to be added, it is hoped that players will have the freedom to choose and prioritize what they want to access in the game.
Verdict
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has faced its fair share of challenges during its pre-launch period, with numerous delays causing concern among fans. However, despite initial setbacks, the game manages to deliver an exceptional gameplay experience that never feels tiresome or repetitive. It is important to note that this review may become outdated within a month or two due to the game being a live-service title.
Nevertheless, for enthusiasts of loot-focused games-as-a-service titles like Destiny and The Division, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League proves to be an impressive addition to the genre. The true test lies in whether the developers can continue to nurture and enhance the game over time, ensuring its longevity and growth.
