Injustice 2

Injustice 2 is a fighting video game that stands as a significant entry in the genre, merging the high-stakes narrative of DC Comics with the refined combat mechanics of NetherRealm Studios. Released in May 2017, the game serves as a direct sequel to 2013's *Injustice: Gods Among Us*. It was developed by NetherRealm Studios, led by Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon, with the PC version adapted by QLOC. Published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WB Games), *Injustice 2* was critically acclaimed for its deep customization systems, robust single-player content, and cinematic storytelling. The narrative of *Injustice 2* picks up where the previous game left off, set in a dystopian alternate universe where Superman had established a totalitarian regime following the tragic death of Lois Lane and the destruction of Metropolis. In this sequel, Superman is imprisoned, and Batman works to rebuild society while fighting off the remnants of the Regime and a new villainous group known as "The Society," led by Gorilla Grodd. The plot escalates with the arrival of Brainiac, a Coluan alien who collects cities and knowledge from worlds before destroying them. Brainiac is revealed to be the true architect behind the destruction of Krypton, forcing Batman and the imprisoned Superman to form a fragile alliance to save Earth. The story is notable for its branching conclusion, allowing players to choose between two final paths: "Absolute Justice" (Batman's victory) or "Absolute Power" (Superman's victory), each resulting in a drastically different fate for the DC universe. Gameplay in *Injustice 2* retains the 2.5D fighting mechanics of its predecessor but introduces significant refinements. Players control characters with a layout of light, medium, and heavy attacks, along with a unique "Character Trait" button that activates a specific ability, such as Batman's mechanical bats or The Flash's time-slowing speed force. The "Clash" system returns, allowing players to wager their super meter during a cinematic break in combat to regain health or deal damage. Environmental interactions also remain a staple, enabling fighters to use background objects—like swinging from chandeliers or throwing cars—to gain an advantage. The most distinct innovation in *Injustice 2* is the "Gear System." Unlike traditional fighting games where character appearances are static or skin-based, this title implements an RPG-like loot system. Players earn "Mother Boxes" (loot crates) through gameplay, which contain equipment pieces (head, torso, arms, legs, and accessory) that alter a character's stats—Strength, Defense, Health, and Ability. This gear also changes the character's physical appearance and can grant new passive buffs or modify special moves. While this system added immense replayability and personalization, it drew some criticism for the randomness of loot drops and the potential for stat imbalances in unranked player matches. In terms of game modes, *Injustice 2* offers an extensive suite of options. Beyond the cinematic Story Mode, the centerpiece for single-player content is the "Multiverse" mode. Inspired by the "Living Towers" from *Mortal Kombat X*, the Multiverse offers rotating, time-limited challenges set on alternate Earths. These missions often include unique modifiers—such as tilting arenas, falling health orbs, or increased speed—and serve as the primary method for grinding gear and experience points. For competitive players, the game features ranked online multiplayer, King of the Hill lobbies, and the *Injustice 2 Pro Series*, a global esports circuit that featured a substantial prize pool and highlighted the game's competitive depth. The character roster is one of the largest in NetherRealm's history, featuring a mix of iconic heroes and obscure villains. The base game includes staples like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and The Flash, alongside newcomers like Blue Beetle, Firestorm, and Swamp Thing. Post-launch support was extensive, introducing "Fighter Packs" that added characters such as Starfire, Red Hood, and Black Manta. Notably, the game included guest fighters from other franchises, including Sub-Zero and Raiden from *Mortal Kombat*, Hellboy from Dark Horse Comics, and all four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (playable as a single slot with loadout changes). Additionally, "Premier Skins" allowed players to transform characters into different heroes with unique voice lines and dialogue, such as turning Flash into Jay Garrick or Captain Cold into Mr. Freeze. From a development perspective, NetherRealm Studios aimed to create "something unexpected" by integrating the gear system, a concept producer Adam Urbano noted had been discussed since the studio was known as Midway Games. The game utilizes a heavily modified version of Unreal Engine 3 to deliver 60 frames per second gameplay, while facial animations were praised for their realism, achieved through a new proprietary scanner. Critically, *Injustice 2* was a major success. It holds a score of roughly 87-89 on Metacritic and won "Best Fighting Game" at The Game Awards 2017, as well as similar accolades from IGN and Game Informer. Reviewers praised the story for its high production value and the Multiverse for providing endless single-player content, though some took issue with the complexity of the currency systems (Source Crystals, Credits, Guild Credits) and microtransactions. Commercially, it topped sales charts in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia upon release. The *Legendary Edition*, released in March 2018, compiled the base game with all downloadable content, cementing *Injustice 2* as a complete and content-rich package in the fighting game landscape.