The final update for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has arrived, adding another layer of controversy to the already troubled game. This ending, meant to wrap up the narrative, instead underscores the core issues that plagued the game from the beginning. Let’s dive into the finale and explore why it ultimately falls short.
Justice League Clones and a Hollow Victory
The game’s central premise, the death of the Justice League at the hands of the Suicide Squad, has been retconned. The shocking deaths of iconic heroes like Superman and Batman are revealed to be nothing more than the demise of clones. The final cutscene depicts the real Justice League teaming up with the Suicide Squad to defeat Brainiac, after the Squad battles multiple versions of the villain across the multiverse. While Harley Quinn and her crew escape Amanda Waller’s control, Wonder Woman’s fate remains unchanged. She tragically perishes at the hands of the cloned Superman, a truly baffling narrative decision.
alt text
A Flawed Approach to Gameplay and Narrative
The Arkham series, particularly those focused on Batman, set a high bar for superhero video games. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, however, fails to capture the same magic. The game’s mechanics don’t effectively utilize the unique abilities of each Squad member, and the introduction of alternate versions of classic villains like Joker, Mr. Freeze, and Deathstroke feels too little, too late.
Further compounding the issues is the game’s unusual approach to storytelling in its post-launch updates. A combination of in-game engine footage and static 2D images, accompanied by voiceovers, was used to advance the narrative. This method proved ineffective and felt jarring, especially given the already contentious story elements within the game.
A Tragic End to the Arkham-verse?
The potential finality of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League within the Arkham universe is perhaps its greatest tragedy. Ending on such a low note after the success of the Arkham games feels like a disservice to the legacy built by those titles. While the ideal solution to the game’s problems remains elusive, the consensus among players seems to be that this wasn’t it. The game ultimately failed to deliver a satisfying experience, leaving a bitter taste for fans of the Arkham-verse.
The Future of DC Games
The future of DC characters in video games remains uncertain. For the latest news and updates on superhero gaming, keep up with sources like ComicBook.com.
