Before the Suicide Squad set out to eliminate the Justice League, it had already paved its path to disappointment. Rocksteady’s action-adventure shooter faced high expectations, having to follow in the footsteps of the acclaimed Batman: Arkham series. Compounding these challenges, a gameplay showcase last year revealed its nature as an always-online, live service looter shooter, moving away from Rocksteady’s hallmark narrative-driven, single-player titles. Upon its early access launch before the official release on February 2, the game had to be taken offline due to a bug that allowed players to complete the entire story immediately upon logging in.
Echoing the issues stemming from that glitch, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League appears to have met its demise prior to any real chance of success. This cooperative shooter has unwittingly become emblematic of the pitfalls present in live service games. With its repetitive missions designed to prolong player engagement, an in-game store selling character upgrades, weapons, and cosmetics at steep prices, and an expectation of ongoing seasonal content—Suicide Squad seems tailored to a model rich in microtransactions.
Yet, the game’s struggle for live service credibility obscures many redeeming qualities that deserve recognition. The grind associated with missions and the monotonous methods required to complete them do not entirely detract from the fun. The chaotic shooting mechanics combined with swift traversal can deliver satisfying moments; the storyline, while faltering towards the end, presents an intriguing setup; and the game’s depiction of a Metropolis under siege provides ample opportunity for exploration and engagement. However, evident design flaws, repetitive mission structures, and a muddled identity hinder its ability to shine.
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Initially, Suicide Squad does an admirable job introducing its characters. Players meet Harley Quinn, Deadshot, King Shark, and Captain Boomerang, who are freed from Arkham Asylum by Amanda Waller of A.R.G.U.S. She deceitfully implants bombs in their heads, coercing them into serving as Task Force X. Metropolis faces a dire threat from Brainiac, an alien intelligence bent on conquering Earth and reshaping it. The Justice League is called upon for aid, but to the squad’s horror, they find the heroes have been brainwashed by Brainiac and now pose a grave danger. The Suicide Squad’s mission is clear: eliminate the Justice League.
The absurdity of the situation isn’t lost on the characters; the notion of taking down such powerful heroes is ludicrous enough to inject humor into the narrative. Acknowledging the overwhelming odds, the squad seeks assistance from various DC criminals to exploit the Justice League’s weaknesses and acquire weapons. Although the storyline lacks surprises, it entertains with the outrageous chemistry displayed among the protagonists. The interactions, tinged with humor reminiscent of Joss Whedon’s writing, provide moments of levity, keeping the tone engaging without crossing into cringe-worthy territory.
The dynamic interactions among the Suicide Squad members are a notable highlight
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Games/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
The rogue Justice League members retain their original characteristics but are exaggerated through a humorous villainous lens. Superman’s previously honorable traits evolve into a god complex, while a brainwashed Batman embodies pure darkness. The corrupted Flash stands out as the comic relief, albeit with a dangerously unhinged twist. Within the squad itself, each character boasts distinct identities and motivations. Harley Quinn epitomizes chaotic energy; King Shark embodies a charming but dim-witted brute; Deadshot serves as the pragmatic strategist, while Captain Boomerang adds a comical edge. Their collective banter transitions into camaraderie, illustrating an unlikely yet cohesive team dynamic.
Waller assigns missions at the Hall of Justice, now repurposed as the base of operations against its former heroes. The main narrative is conveyed through thoughtfully crafted cutscenes and well-timed plot developments. However, momentum fades as the game nears its conclusion, offering little beyond a straightforward premise. Attempts at shocking twists feel forced, as if the narrative is trying too hard to elicit provocation.
Superman’s character arc reflects a bloated sense of morality turned evil
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Games/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
The overall narrative is succinct, allowing players to reach the credits in about a dozen hours if they focus solely on the main quest. However, this brevity leaves significant plot points underdeveloped. In contrast to the deliberate pacing seen in the Batman: Arkham series, Suicide Squad often feels hasty, masking its story as merely a prelude to post-launch content. Ultimately, players are led to an unsatisfying conclusion with a lingering list of meaningless tasks to maintain the façade of a live service game.
Gameplay in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League suffers from its own setbacks. The core experience revolves around fast-paced combat and traversal in an open world, which can be exhilarating when functioning correctly. The shooting mechanics are somewhat loose, yet the inclusion of generous auto-aim and chaotic scenarios mitigates the lack of precision. The interplay of gunplay, melee attacks, and unique character abilities offers plenty of avenues for engagement. The game establishes accessible connections between its combat systems, but the flow can be hindered by inconsistent design choices.
The gameplay features energetic combat combined with agile traversal mechanics
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Games/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
As with typical looter shooters, weapons in Suicide Squad are categorized by type and rarity. The variety includes heavy weapons, sniper rifles, assault rifles, SMGs, shotguns, and pistols, each designated by their rarity through color-coded classifications. While players can customize their arsenal and build upgrades, character-specific weapon restrictions can be a source of frustration. For instance, only certain heroes can equip powerful weapon classes, limiting player options in a game that thrives on variety.
Recruiting additional DC villains as support team members provides a layer of strategy, allowing for weapon upgrades and enhancements. However, the convoluted menus and mechanics can overwhelm players, prompting them to disregard minute details in favor of satisfying gameplay. Skill trees also skew towards rewarding grind rather than substantive progress, as most upgrades yield incremental advantages and tedious mathematical descriptors that detract from enjoyment.
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While not overly precise, the combat remains engaging and enjoyable
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Games
The dynamic combat is particularly enjoyable when switching between squad members. Each character offers a different traversal style that keeps gameplay fresh. Harley Quinn exhibits agility and speed, while Deadshot utilizes a jetpack for flight. King Shark and Captain Boomerang bring their unique movement abilities to the forefront, allowing them to traverse Metropolis’ vertical landscapes effectively. This multiplicity adds excitement, as navigating the city requires attention and strategic planning.
Regrettably, the mission structure in Suicide Squad significantly undermines engagement. To earn upgrades and new gear, players must complete repetitious support quests, which quickly grow tedious due to their formulaic nature. Avoiding these tasks can restrict progression, pulling players away from the main plot and diluting the game’s strengths. This repetitive design affects combat, which, despite its potential for enjoyment, becomes a grind.
Monotonous side quests diminish the game’s potential
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Games/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
Moreover, the main missions featuring confrontations against Justice League members fall flat. With the anticipation of epic battles against iconic heroes, these encounters disappoint with uninspired mechanics. Players equip specific gadgets to exploit hero weaknesses, but the encounters lack depth. They often devolve into a shooting gallery format, where the challenge lies more in maintaining vision on fast-moving targets than in strategic combat engagement. Frustrating design choices mar what should be thrilling showdowns against formidable foes, culminating in a finale that replicates an earlier battle.
The game’s boss confrontations lack imagination and substance
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Games/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
Visually, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League boasts a vibrant aesthetic, with dynamic particle effects adding flair to combat. Metropolis impresses with its imposing visual identity, yet the screen often becomes cluttered with excessive HUD indicators, mission objectives, and damage displays that can obscure gameplay. Lacking the immersive atmosphere seen in Rocksteady’s previous work, the environment here fails to evoke the same sense of foreboding and depth.
Character models shine with detailed animations, each voice actor bringing their respective characters to life. The standout performances—especially by Kevin Conroy as Batman—leave a lasting impression, capturing the essence of the character even in a corrupted state. The comedic timing and delivery from the ensemble further enhance the charm.
Running on PlayStation 5, the game generally performs well, maintaining a smooth 60 fps. However, there are occasional dips in performance during frenetic combat, alongside stuttering in cutscenes and some significant crashes. Some updates have introduced new issues, creating hurdles for a stable experience, including difficulties logging into the servers and hanging load screens. While most gameplay runs smoothly, smaller glitches and performance inconsistencies linger.
Suicide Squad’s Metropolis combines impressive visuals with intricate verticality
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Games/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
In conclusion, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League grapples with a fundamental identity crisis. The game tries to balance the characteristics of a live service looter shooter with the storytelling finesse seen in Rocksteady’s earlier titles, resulting in an unsatisfactory blend. Unlike successful examples within the genre, it falls short of both objectives. The anticipation surrounding its release only intensifies the disappointment, especially given Rocksteady’s legacy of crafting revered games. While Suicide Squad isn’t inherently flawed, the stark contrast with the studio’s previous achievements showcases its shortcomings and missed opportunities for meaningful innovation. Themes, gameplay mechanics, and narratives could have culminated in a standout experience, but instead, the game stumbles within its own ambitious design.
Pros
- Dynamic traversal mechanics
- Intriguing narrative premise
- Engaging character interactions
- Exciting combat dynamics
- Outstanding performance by Kevin Conroy as Batman
Cons
- Repetitive mission structure
- Grind-heavy gameplay
- Fatigue from live service elements
- Uninspired boss encounters
- Unsatisfying story conclusion
Rating (out of 10): 6
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was released on February 2 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.
Pricing starts at Rs. 4,999 for the Standard Edition on Steam and Epic Games Store for PC, and Rs. 5,299 on PlayStation Store for PS5 and Xbox Store for Xbox Series S/X.