When Injustice 2 was revealed nearly a year ago with its first official trailer, DC Comics acolytes and fighting game fans the world over were on the edges of their seats in anticipation for NetherRealm Studios' and Warner Bros. Interactive's followup to 2013's relatively well-received Injustice: Gods Among Us, as the franchise had loads of potential to build upon the existing story and combat mechanics. Moreover, the developer and publisher invariably went on to also introduce new elements such as never-before-included characters, expanded multiplayer modes, as well as an exhaustive gear and loot system, which has led fans to wonder if all of these combined elements formed together would create a cohesive, if not stellar release.
Thankfully, fans don't have to contemplate whether the fighting game ought to be a day one purchase much longer, as the critical reception for Injustice 2 has begun to trickle in following its official release today. However, considering the expansive nature of the title, it looks as if there are plenty of reviewers who are taking their time to extensively cover every possible aspect of the game in order to leave no stone unturned, with many outlets' takes on the release being absent, as even our own review here at Game Rant is still in progress for that very sake.
With that being the case, as more reviews are published online, we will attempt to update this space more fully to reflect a wider array of the general reception of the title. So, without further ado, continue reading along to determine what some of the critics out there think about Injustice 2, and whether or not it's worth setting aside the storage space for the game's file size.
Game Informer (Andrew Reiner)
Injustice 2 is a huge game, offering a lengthy story-based campaign, a great fighting experience, and a nearly endless supply of notable loot. The small tweaks to combat go a long way in creating a more dynamic flow, which resonates well in multiplayer matches. I ran into a little lag in a few online bouts, but the game ran smoothly most of the time. Even if you don’t enjoy the competitive aspects of the fighting genre, this is a game you can dive into for an enjoyable superhero story. Brainiac is a tough fight, but anyone should be able to march to him and take him down on the easiest difficulty.
Score: 9/10
GameSpot (Peter Brown)
NetherRealm has delivered a fighting game that can be enjoyed by new players and pros alike in ways that go beyond pure competition. It's a bar that every fighting game should meet, but one that has up until now seemed out of reach.
Score: 9/10
Paste Magazine (Cameron Kunzelman)
Injustice 2 is the best translation of superhero comics to any other medium, period. The fighting game genre fits the tone and pacing of superhero comics perfectly, and I will go a step further and say that Injustice 2 is the most interested I have been in a superhero story in years.
Score: 9/10
Twinfinite (Ishmael Romero)
Injustice 2 is one seriously impressive package. NetherRealm has never shied away from packing their fighting games with lots of content for players to sink their teeth into and this latest installment is no different. The tighter balance, freedom offered by the gear system, and the solid story make this an entertaining fighter that is so much more than just punching other powerful people in the face. It's a unique experience that compiles all that the studio has learned from its games and gives them a voice all of their own. Injustice 2 isn't just a less violent clone of Mortal Kombat, it sets a new bar for the developer and I can't wait to see how it influences the future.
Score: 4.5/5
Generally speaking, it seems to be that Injustice 2 is a rollicking good time, and a vastly superior title when compared to its predecessor, Injustice: Gods Among Us. With the fighting game's new heroes and villains such as Black Canary, Deadshot, Dr. Fate, Gorilla Grodd, Poison Ivy, Robin, Supergirl, and Swamp Thing, as well as its sizable story campaign and more balanced, yet competitive combat, there's definitely something for everyone, be they fighting game newbies or pros.
Taking all of this into consideration, while the base game for Injustice 2 definitely appears to be a satisfying sequel of superheroic proportions, NetherRealm Studios intends for there to be plenty of post-launch support to beef the title up with even more content to come. As it so happens, Game Rant recently had the chance to speak to the game's creative director, Ed Boon, who said that Watchmen characters are still possible. Bearing this in mind, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Injustice 2 and the franchise as a whole.
Injustice 2 is available now for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.