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'Hang on..' you might be thinking.. 'Harley Quinn VS Superman?' that doesn't sound fair. And yes, it's true that the game has several unpowered superheroes going up against superheroes with powers, the game does give an explanation of sorts, with a convenient pill being issued to various characters that level them up to near Superman strength. It's a bit daft, yes, but the game's plot - which takes place in a parallel universe where Superman's decided to rule humanity for their own good - isn't exactly going to win any prizes. It's really just an excuse for the characters to lay into each other.
Unlike Mortal Kombat VS DC, and like Mortal Kombat 9, combat in Injustice takes place in 2D. So while the graphics are proper 3D, you don't to dodge around the side of your opponent, Tekken style. This simplifies combat a little, allowing you to focus on using your special moves, oh, and the scenery. Yes, that's one of the new features in Injustice. You can actually use items from the scenery to damage your opponent. If you're standing in the right place then you can grab a rubbish skip, or punch your opponent into a helicopter, which isn't as fatal as it sounds. Of course, they can also the same to you. You can naturally avoid enemy attacks, or block them. The latter is actually done via the traditional 'pull back' method, where you pull back or pull back and down on the joypad, instead of using a block button as was the case in previous games.
You can also punch them directly through the scenery, something which lets you access another part of the game's many levels, which include Gotham City, the Fortress of Solitude and more. That said, the transition animations between these sub-areas get a bit boring after you've seen them a few times, so you might decide to stick with the one area. There are plenty of special moves to play with, characters powers being either gadget based or superpower based, and the game gives you super special moves you can use as well. Fill up your super meter and, as Batman, you can mow your opponent down with the Batmobile. Yes, really. This isn't as fatal as it sounds, however - since this isn't Mortal Kombat, there aren't any final super fatal finishing moves. It's understandable, since DC presumably don't think it'd be in character from Superman to fry someone's head with his heat vision and then pull out their spleen.
Injustice actually looks pretty good, though the graphics aren't a massive improvement from Mortal Kombat VS DC. This isn't surprising, really, since most games are now maxing out the power of each console. The sound effects and voice-overs are pretty good, with Kevin Conroy from Batman: The Animated Series voicing Batman. There's no Mark Hamill as the Joker, unfortunately.
So how does it all hang together? Surprisingly well, given that the license is the driving force behind the game. It's a lot of fun to play, though you might find a bit slow paced if you're used to the Marvel VS Capcom series. The main storyline and individual character battle modes will keep you entertained, though the challenge mode is a bit boring. Multiplayer is fun as well, though online is a bit hit and miss in that you quite often end up playing against someone who just flattens you. Playing against people in the same room is more fun. Is it worth buying? If you don't have Mortal Kombat 9, or Mortal Kombat VS DC, then yes. Or if you're a huge DC fan then it's also worth a purchase. If you do have any of those two games, then the game isn't really sufficiently different to warrant a purchase. It's definitely worth a rental, though. Good, but not great.
Pros:
It's got a whole range of DC characters in it.
It is fun.
Cons:
But it's not all that different from MK 9 or MK VS DC.
Score: 7 out of 10.
But my one issue with the game is that my 8 year old daughter often beats me in a 2 player fight. Maybe it's not the game, after all...
'Hang on..' you might be thinking.. 'Harley Quinn VS Superman?' that doesn't sound fair. And yes, it's true that the game has several unpowered superheroes going up against superheroes with powers, the game does give an explanation of sorts, with a convenient pill being issued to various characters that level them up to near Superman strength. It's a bit daft, yes, but the game's plot - which takes place in a parallel universe where Superman's decided to rule humanity for their own good - isn't exactly going to win any prizes. It's really just an excuse for the characters to lay into each other.
Unlike Mortal Kombat VS DC, and like Mortal Kombat 9, combat in Injustice takes place in 2D. So while the graphics are proper 3D, you don't to dodge around the side of your opponent, Tekken style. This simplifies combat a little, allowing you to focus on using your special moves, oh, and the scenery. Yes, that's one of the new features in Injustice. You can actually use items from the scenery to damage your opponent. If you're standing in the right place then you can grab a rubbish skip, or punch your opponent into a helicopter, which isn't as fatal as it sounds. Of course, they can also the same to you. You can naturally avoid enemy attacks, or block them. The latter is actually done via the traditional 'pull back' method, where you pull back or pull back and down on the joypad, instead of using a block button as was the case in previous games.
You can also punch them directly through the scenery, something which lets you access another part of the game's many levels, which include Gotham City, the Fortress of Solitude and more. That said, the transition animations between these sub-areas get a bit boring after you've seen them a few times, so you might decide to stick with the one area. There are plenty of special moves to play with, characters powers being either gadget based or superpower based, and the game gives you super special moves you can use as well. Fill up your super meter and, as Batman, you can mow your opponent down with the Batmobile. Yes, really. This isn't as fatal as it sounds, however - since this isn't Mortal Kombat, there aren't any final super fatal finishing moves. It's understandable, since DC presumably don't think it'd be in character from Superman to fry someone's head with his heat vision and then pull out their spleen.
Injustice actually looks pretty good, though the graphics aren't a massive improvement from Mortal Kombat VS DC. This isn't surprising, really, since most games are now maxing out the power of each console. The sound effects and voice-overs are pretty good, with Kevin Conroy from Batman: The Animated Series voicing Batman. There's no Mark Hamill as the Joker, unfortunately.
So how does it all hang together? Surprisingly well, given that the license is the driving force behind the game. It's a lot of fun to play, though you might find a bit slow paced if you're used to the Marvel VS Capcom series. The main storyline and individual character battle modes will keep you entertained, though the challenge mode is a bit boring. Multiplayer is fun as well, though online is a bit hit and miss in that you quite often end up playing against someone who just flattens you. Playing against people in the same room is more fun. Is it worth buying? If you don't have Mortal Kombat 9, or Mortal Kombat VS DC, then yes. Or if you're a huge DC fan then it's also worth a purchase. If you do have any of those two games, then the game isn't really sufficiently different to warrant a purchase. It's definitely worth a rental, though. Good, but not great.
Pros:
It's got a whole range of DC characters in it.
It is fun.
Cons:
But it's not all that different from MK 9 or MK VS DC.
Score: 7 out of 10.