Jason Savio

Forget what you think you know about the DC Comics universe. The status quo first got turned upside down in 2013 with Injustice: Gods Among Us, and its sequel, Injustice 2, keeps the pace going in perfect bombastic fashion.

Whether you’re a comic book fan or not, there’s no denying it: Injustice 2 is a well-oiled fighting game that very well might be the fighting game to which all others are compared. It really is that good and sets the bar to a new high for titles in its genre. Simply put, Injustice 2 kicks ass.

If you haven’t played Injustice: Gods Among Us yet, don’t fret; Injustice 2 picks up where its predecessor left off, and the characters provide plenty of backstory in their dialogue to catch you up. Batman and Superman continue to butt heads over how to deal with their enemies while Superman remains locked up for crimes he committed in Gods Among Us. Batman stays true and follows his own moral code of not killing, while Superman – who has gone rogue – won’t budge on his stance that using his Kryptonian powers to decimate anyone or anything he sees as a threat is the right thing to do. As a result, the Justice League is split on whom to follow, causing the once-trustworthy team of allies to square off against one another in a series of battles. They’ll have to put their differences aside this time, however, when a mutual enemy threatens the fate of the planet.

Injustice 2, without a doubt, plays to its comic book audience. But that doesn’t mean you need to be an avid follower of superheroes to appreciate it. From a pure fighting standpoint, the mechanics and controlling are crisp and fluid, making for frustration-free gameplay, thanks in large part to its developer, NeatherRealm Studios, the same team responsible for Mortal Kombat. And for all those jaded comic book veterans out there, seeing Superman act like a complete brat should pique your interest enough to feel honest excitement at seeing him get whooped. There is some cringe-worthy dialogue between characters, but hey, whoever expected Swamp Thing to wax poetic? And speaking of Swamp Thing – the list of playable fighters to choose from is a goldmine of DC icons.

The playability factor of Injustice 2 lasts long after you’ve completed story mode. The option to upgrade your favorite characters so they can become the best fighters possible is addicting as you surpass level after level of strength and acquire cool new gear that changes their appearance in the process. You can do this through simple exhibition bouts, but the most fun is through the Multiverse. Much like the Towers featured in Mortal Kombat, the Multiverse offers gauntlets of opponents you can face with varying stipulations and challenges added to them. Through the Multiverse you are able to gather the most credits to build up characters’ powers and collect Mother Boxes, artifacts from the DC storyline mythos you decode to collect different in-game rewards.

With all of the possibilities and different ways you can customize your fighters, Injustice 2 is the gift that keeps on giving. Unlike other games in its genre, it’s hard to get bored playing Injustice 2. It’s fun, action-packed and fast-paced, just like any good fighting game should be.

For more, visit injustice.com.