With the release of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League just weeks away, Rocksteady has unveiled exciting details about the extensive build possibilities for its main characters. During a discussion on the game’s official Discord server, director Axel Rydby elaborated on the endgame mechanics, which will encourage players to adjust their builds to match increasing difficulty levels. While it’s uncertain if players can dominate early-game combat with an overpowered setup, the developers have confirmed the inclusion of eight loadout slots for streamlined equipment management. Each gear piece offers unique status effects and is upgradable.
“We really want you to feel like you can make each character your own, and build it to suit your playstyle,” Rydby stated. “But if you take the leap and really play into the gear, you can find truly crazy powerful combinations.” Rocksteady has introduced the term ‘Afflictions’ to describe these status effects, drawing on the influence of the iconic DC Comics character Poison Ivy, whose return was hinted at in Batman: Arkham Knight. Players will have the ability to apply Deep Freeze to their weapons to unleash frost damage on foes, deploy the Diablo Blaze to incinerate enemies, or utilize Venom Frenzy to create chaos, presumably connected to Bane’s powers. Additionally, post-launch content is expected to introduce game-changing combinations. Ivy herself is depicted as a “precocious toddler,” now wielding genetically engineered toxic abilities but with little memory of Task Force X after her demise at Scarecrow’s hands in the previous installment.
Game Director Axel Rydby provides detailed insights into the build system
Photo Credit: Screenshot
Each of the characters—Harley Quinn, Deadshot, King Shark, and Captain Boomerang—boasts a unique Talent Tree that reflects their individual traits. Harley’s skillset emphasizes acrobatic maneuvers for enhanced movement throughout Metropolis, along with explosive weaponry. Deadshot, on the other hand, focuses on critical damage skills that ensure deadly accuracy in his shots. King Shark leans into melee attacks, while the boisterous Captain Boomerang can quickly teleport around the battlefield to engage and evade enemies. Overall, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League presents itself as a traditional looter-shooter where firearms play a central role. Although Rocksteady is not labeling it a live-service game, it possesses many typical features: a battle pass filled with cosmetic items, extensive grinding mechanics, and plans for additional content post-launch.
This transition from crafting beloved single-player experiences like the Batman series to adopting a Games as a Service framework may stem from Warner Bros.’ objective to transform its flagship franchises into sustainable revenue streams, prompting players to remain engaged with the same title for extended periods. This shift has faced criticism from the gaming community, a sentiment that is not without basis. In related news, a recent report from Bloomberg revealed that Rocksteady, contrary to circulating rumors about a canceled Superman game, never pursued such a project. Following 2015’s Batman: Arkham Knight, the studio dedicated efforts to a virtual reality Batman title and an undisclosed multiplayer project based on a new franchise, the current status of which remains unknown.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is set to be released on February 2 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.