Injustice: Gods Among Us Review – The Mightiest Heroes Of The DC Universe Duke It Out In Netherealm Studios’ Latest Creation

HAWKGIRL AND THE FLASH: Two of 24 characters duking it out for supremacy in Injustice

 

Injustice: Gods Among Us is the newest creation by the mad scientists behind the Mortal Kombat series, and is one of few fighting games around to include superheroes in the roster. Built on the foundations laid for the 2011 release of Mortal Kombat, the game puts superhero up against superhero as the DC Universe’s finest are brought together to do battle. But is the game an injustice to fighting games everywhere or has it come to save the day?

Superman establishes a new world order following the destruction of Metropolis and the death of pregnant wife Lois Lane at the hands of The Joker. And to kick off the regime, Superman murders the Joker right in front of the villain’s long-time nemesis Batman. Refusing to stand for Superman’s newly-found brutality, Batman begins an insurgency to battle Superman’s regime and enlists the help of a Justice League from an alternative reality to stop Superman’s reign of terror for good.

NetherRealm Studios have done a great job with the writing of the story. They’ve found a great way to get these superheroes clashing with one another and the cinematics used in the story-mode look stunning. However, with the structure of the story in story mode it’s easy to get lost, especially when alternate realities are involved.

The voice-acting in general is pretty good. A lot of the voice-actors played as the characters before in previous DC popular culture. Kevin Conroy is once again featured as Batman, a role he’s constantly played in the old DC animated television shows and the extremely popular Arkham Asylum and Arkham City games.

There is a wide-variety of characters from the incredibly popular Superman and Batman to the unfamiliar heroes like Hawkgirl and Raven, given the players a lot of heroes and villains to choose from, as well as characters to be released as downloadable content like Batgirl and the bounty hunter Lobo.

NetherRealm also brought in a great deal of interactivity between their free iOS release of the game and the console version, giving players a chance to unlock costumes for the console version by playing on the iOS version and vice versa.

With this feature, the amount of alternate costumes for each character is insane. With the costumes available in game, downloadable content to be released in the future and the costumes unlocked in the iOS version, you get a lot of costumes to choose from for each character. For example, Batman himself has 7 costumes, and that’s without counting the soon-to-be-released downloadable content.

Unsurprisingly, the game does feature a lot of aspects of Mortal Kombat in its gameplay. But that’s not really a bad thing, as the Mortal Kombat style of gameplay really suits the superheroes of the DC universe.

To make this game as distinctive from every other fighter game, a lot of environmental interactivity has been put in the game, giving the players a chance to use the objects surrounding and move into different territories of the stage during fights with amazingly put together cut scenes. While a lot of these cut scenes may seem over the top, it makes the game a lot more fun and unpredictable, and makes this game more than your average 2D fighting game.

Also, there’s the S.T.A.R.S. labs challenge mode which provides something gamers a break from the fighting. Featuring a grand total of 240 missions, it gives players more of a reason to keep playing and provides them a chance to explore the DC universe even further, with a number of non-playable characters like Two-Face and Trigon being featured in the missions.

Overall, I think this is a very fun game to play. NetherRealm Studios have paid a great homage to the DC Universe, and has made incredibly use of the DC licence to provide amazing detail comic books fans everywhere will adore. And even if you’re not a comic book fan, you’ll still have a great time playing this game. Whether you’re bringing friends over to play or if you’re playing online, Injustice is a game that will give everyone playing a great time.

WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Predictions: The Game And The Next Big Thing Do Battle In The Steel Cage – WHO’S GOING TO WIN?

Hey there WWE fans, I am “The Excellence Of Execution” Thomas Robinson here with my WWE Extreme Rules predicitions! The pay-per-view has a pretty decent card on actually. Although it’s suffered set-backs with Great Ones bailing, The Best In The World resting and the World Champion injured, WWE actually haven’t done THAT bad with the card. I mean sure it could be better, but WWE were really hindered by losing the star power of CM Punk, The Rock, Undertaker and Dolph Ziggler. Anyway, let’s run down the card.

THE SHIELD VS THE WORLD – United States Championship: Kofi Kingston (c) vs Dean Ambrose/ WWE Tag Team Championship: “Team Hell-No” Kane (c) and Daniel Bryan (c) vs “The Shield” Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns

Background: The Shield have been whooping all kinds of ass since debuting in November and gained huge momentum by being victorious at Wrestlemania, defeating Team Hell-No and Undertaker in London, and taking The Undertaker out. But now it was time for The Shield to focus on getting the gold, and The Shield targeted the United States Champion Kofi Kingston and WWE Tag Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan. Dean Ambrose has been given a US Title shot against Kofi Kingston at Extreme Rules. Reigns and Rollins got a Tag Title Shot against Kane and D-Bry for the PPV.

What I think Should Happen?: The Shield win. BELIEVE IN THE SHIELD!

What I think will happen?: The Shield win. Kingston was basically a transitional champion, and Team Hell-No have held the tag titles for long enough. BELIEVE IN THE SHIELD!

SMACKDOWN’S CURSADE VS SMACKDOWN’S POWER TRIP – Strap Match: Sheamus vs Mark Henry/ Extreme Rules Match: Randy Orton vs Big Show

Background: At Wrestlemania 29, The Big Show, Randy Orton and Sheamus battled The Shield in a 6 man tag. However, the team of former world champions was not enough to take down the Shield. Upset with Randy Orton tagging himself in, Big Show angrily KO’d both Sheamus and Orton and left. The next night on RAW, Big Show interrupted the Randy Orton vs Sheamus match and attacked both his Wrestlemania partners. However, he specifically targeted his attacks Orton and delivered a huge beatdown on The Viper. On SmackDown!, Sheamus himself was attacked backstage by “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry, and was attacked again by Henry on the RAW afterwards. Henry and Big Show teamed up to defeat Sheamus and Orton (cleanly might I add) on SmackDown!. Sheamus then got his own back on Mark Henry, and attacked him backstage. It was eventually announced that both feuds would be settled at Extreme Rules, with Sheamus taking on Mark Henry in a strap match, and Big Show taking on Randy Orton in an Extreme Rules match.

What I think should happen?: I think the heels should get the victories. It’d make sense for Mark Henry to defeat Sheamus and continue his huge wave of momentum coming of the Elimination Chamber and his Wrestlemania victory over Ryback. To be honest, Big Show vs Randy Orton is that much of an interest to me. I just think that Randy Orton toppling the giant Big Show so easily at Extreme Rules just doesn’t seem right. Mark Henry and Big Show win.

What I think will happen?: I’m going to go for Mark Henry for the strap match, because I think they want him to keep up his momentum and challenge John Cena for the WWE Title after Ryback is done with Cena. As for the Orton/Big Show match, I think they’ll have Orton win. I don’t think they want Orton to lose too many high-profile matches, and I think they want him to go after Ziggler and the World Title, and losing to The Big Show might not help him in that sense. Mark Henry and Randy Orton win.

REMATCH OF THE DECADE – Chris Jericho vs Fandango

Background: Fandango, SOMEHOW, defeated Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 29 with the flukiest of victories. However, Fandango did gain another victory on the RAW after when the FANDANGO-REVOLUTION began, with the fans singing Fandango’s theme song during his match with Kofi Kingston. However, that match ended up with Chris Jericho laying out Fandango. Over the next couple of weeks, Chris Jericho would gain little spades of revenge, costing him his match with R-Truth via count out and constantly attacking him after matches. Jericho also faced Fandango in a dance-off last week on RAW. The two will settle their differences at Extreme Rules in an actual WRESTLING rematch. Will the Fandango Revolution continue or will the Ayatollah Of Rock ‘N’ Rolla finally defeat Fandango?

What I think should happen?: CHRIS JERICHO WINS! PLEASE!

What I think will happen?: Chris Jericho wins. As much as a 2nd win over Jericho would properly get Fandango over, Jericho needs a win before he gets back. And I don’t think a loss to Jericho will hurt the Fandango Revolution.

NUMBER ONE CONTENDERSHIP FOR THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – I Quit Match: Alberto Del Rio vs Jack Swagger

Background: The night after Wrestlemania 29, Dolph Ziggler cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase on Alberto Del Rio to become the World Heavyweight Champion. On SmackDown!, during Ziggler’s celebration speech, Del Rio and Del Rio’s opponent for Wrestlemania 29, Jack Swagger declared their interest in a World Title match. After Swagger prevented Del Rio from getting his rematch on RAW the next week, a triple threat was made between Ziggler, Del Rio and Swaggger for Extreme Rules with the title at stake. The match was made a ladder match by Del Rio the next week. HOWEVER, after Swagger attacked Ziggler with a ladder the FOLLOWING week, Ziggler was taken out of the injury with a legitimate concussion. So the decision was made to have Del Rio and Swagger face off in an I Quit Match at Extreme Rules, with the winner facing Ziggler once he’s back from injury.

What I think should happen?: Del Rio wins. And NO, the reason is not because Swagger should be punished for being dangerous in the ring, or for taking Ziggler out or for his marijuana business before Wrestlemania. I think Del Rio should win because it’d make a lot more sense for Del Rio to go up against Ziggler afterwards than Swagger.

What I think will happen?: Del Rio wins.

THE FINAL ENCOUNTER (I think) – Steel Cage Match: Triple H vs Brock Lesnar

Background: A 1-year old gets settled tonight at Extreme Rules inside the Steel Cage. More than a year ago, Triple H’s arm was broken by Triple H. Since then Brock Lesnar defeated Triple H at Summerslam, and Triple H returned the favour at Wrestlemania by defeating Lesnar and keeping his career in tact. Lesnar’s representative Paul Heyman proposed one FINAL match at Extreme Rules – Triple H vs Brock Lesnar – IN A STEEL CAGE MATCH. In London, Triple H replied with an emphatic Pedigree to Paul Heyman, accepting the match. 2 weeks later, Lesnar and Heyman invaded WWE headquarters. While there Brock assaulted employees, teased Rock/Brock II and trashed Triple H’s office. The two would have one final confrontation on RAW this week, scrapping in a steel cage.

What I thinks should happen?: Brock Lesnar wins. While I’m OK with Triple H winning the battle at Wrestlemania, Lesnar should be the one to win the war, especially if he wants to remain a dominant force in WWE. Triple H – do what’s best for the company.

What I think will happen?: Well firstly, someone will win by escaping the cage. And I think Lesnar will be the one that wins. I think they’ll have some finish in which Lesnar inadvertently escapes tthe cage, or Heyman will distract Triple H or something. I don’t think they want either man to lose in the cage.

SUPERMAN VS DOOMSDAY – WWE CHAMPIONSHIP: John Cena (c) vs Ryback in a Last Man Standing Match

Background: At Wrestlemania 29, John Cena defeated The Rock to win the WWE Championship. The next night, after a match with Mark Henry, Ryback saved Cena from a beatdown by Henry. He then delivered the meat-hook clothesline to Cena and dropped him with a Shell-Shocked, turning heel and declaring his interest for the WWE Title. Ryback justified his actions by stating that Cena never helped him in the battle against The Shield while he’s helped out Cena time after time. Cena then challenged Ryback to a fight the next week and in typical Cena-Villian style, he backed down and did nothing while The Shield attacked Cena. Cena returned the favour in London, but then saved Ryback at the last minute, and then dropped him with the Attitude Adjustment. Then Cena got “injured” while wrestling at a house show, when Ryback threw Kryptonite at him. XD However, the Last Man Standing match at Extreme Rules was booked for the WWE Title, and the injured Cena suffered numerous attacks by Ryback in build up to the match.

What I think should happen?: I think Ryback should get the win, primarily because he can not afford a SEVENTH PPV defeat in a row. Yes, John Cena’s title reign has only just started, but Ryback needs to prove he’s not all show, and how irrelevant will he become if he can’t win the big matches.

What I think will happen?: John Cena wins. Ryback loses again. Superman saves the day. -.-

That’s the Extreme Rules Predictions done and dusted. I’m Tom Robinson, and I will be watching the PPV myself (not live because I have to be up early in the morning. :() and I hope the PPV delivers. 🙂

Injustice: Gods Among Us – The Game I’m Most Looking Forward To In 2013

SUPERMAN AND BATMAN: Is it me, or do these two scrap an awful lot?

What is up, guys. Tom Robinson here. Before I get started, I’ve been getting a considerable views on my blog this week, and I am very thankful of those who have checked out what my blog has to offer. On Tuesday, I successfully achieved 100 blog views in 1 single day, which is an incredible accomplishment for me, and guys, thank you for bumping up the views. But today, I’m doing something a little different. This ain’t a WWE or UFC blog post today. It’s not even related to sports. We’re taking a little venture into the world of gaming, and the world of comic books. As I will discuss Netherealm Studio’s newest creation…

INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US!

The Mad Scientists behind Mortal Kombat have struck again, with another fighting game dedicated to the DC superhero realm. Injustice: Gods Among Us puts the mightiest of superheroes and supervillians against each other in the battle for supremacy in the DC universe.

Story

The Joker makes his way to Metropolis and sets off a bomb which kills millions of people. Even Superman’s PREGNANT WIFE Lois Lane! The Man Of Steel gets ultra-pissed and interrupts Batman’s interrogation of The Joker, and takes it upon himself to punch a whole through Joker’s heart, and kill him… right in front of The Joker’s arch-nemesis, The Batman. Superman then imposes a though new world order to take extreme measures to those that cause harm. Of course, not everyone is liking this new regime. One particular being THE GOD-DAMN Batman! Batman gets a resistance force together to try and take down Superman’s regime as a Super-human Civil War commences.

It’s a clever way to give the superheroes of the DC universe  an excuse to fight each other, and having Superman kill Joker IN FRONT of Batman is an incredibly powerful but epic touch (this happens in the comic book mini-series and hopefully will be shown in the game). But this storyline is so similar to Marvel’s “Civil War” storyline arc in the comic-books. Either the writer’s were being lazy or simply COULD NOT find any other way to get the likes of Batman scrapping with the likes of Superman. It’s hard to pit hero vs hero, even in the comic book. It’d take a lot for The Flash to take a swing at Green Lantern, unless there was a legitimate explaination. What I do like is the decision to have Harley Quinn join the resistance, as Batman asking for the villain’s help is incredibly rare considering how Batman has difficulties to trust his fellow heroes, let alone villains. So Netherealm Studios have done pretty good in the story department, and it’ll be interesting to see what goes down when the game releases.

Gameplay

As expected, Injustice builds on the foundations laid out by Mortal Kombat, and of course, similarities are noticeable. Some of the characters in the characters in the game do utilize a few moves from characters from the Mortal Kombat universe, and a few of the characters borrow moves from their past experiences from Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe, the crossover released in 2008 before Midway Games were bought by Warner Bros. But other than that, the guys who were in MK vs DC fight totally different in Injustice, with just about all of them having new stances, and new ways to punish people. Bringing interactivity in with the environment around them (like cars) is a pretty cool idea, as it pushes it away from the standard fighter, by having things like Superman throwing cars, and Batman exploding things by firing projectiles. It also makes the game a hell of a lot more fun. Also, the transitions from different parts of the stage do look really cool. Seeing Solomon Grundy punch The Flash through dozens of buildings in Metropolis looks really impressive. However, some of the these transitions do make some of the characters look ridiculously over-powered. I mean, in this clip below about 55 seconds in, The Joker’s punch to Lex Luthor is somehow SO effective it is able to send him hurling through a building. And somehow he survived a satellite laser beam strike called in by Luthor. Video Games – Gives The Laws Of Physics A Middle Finger!

The Roster

So far, 19 characters have been announced, with fairly good balance of heroes and villains. We have the usual suspects, like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The Flash. Other Justice League usuals like Green Lantern and Aquaman join the fray, and some lesser-known heroes like Shazam (or Captain Marvel if you choose not to abide by Copyright laws),  Cyborg and Nightwing. They even included Green Arrow and Hawkgirl – two superheroes whose inclusions make me so happy, as they are two really cool characters. Hawkgirl, especially, is a really cool addition, as she has rarely had any attention in DC popular media, with the exception of the Justice League and JLU TV series’. There are plenty of villains to get your hands on with a lot of well-known villains like Sinestro, Bane, Harley Quinn, Deathstroke and Catwoman. Solomon Grundy is also a interesting addition and it’ll be interesting to see how he fits into the Injustice storyline. But then again, he shows a lot of similarities with Bane, as they are both muscle-heads and it’s hard to get two powerhouses to differentiate in move styles. Of course, there’s Lex Luthor in his battle suit and The Joker, who’s not voiced by Mark Hamill, which has enraged the Batman internet community. However, this Joker is actually not that bad of a choice, and The Joker is a hard part to play considering how your work will always be judged against the work of Mark Hamill. The design work, on the whole, is generally well done. A lot of the characters, especially Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl, have been given pretty cool costumes.However, there are some exclusions from the game which I’m rather disappointed with. The Red Hood and Martian Manhunter in particular are two characters who would work brilliantly in this game.

DLC

Pre-Order DLC Bonuses include the “Red Son Pack” at GAME, a pack influenced by the “Red Son” arc, and includes new costumes for Superman, Wonder Woman and Solomon Grundy along with 20 new missions (which look suspiciously similar to the Mortal Kombat mini games from the 2011 release). It’s a rather intriguing pack, and the missions do look very interesting. America’s Best Buy are offering a costume based of the “Blackest Night” storyline, and also a bunch of cool zombie costumes, which are OK in my book. I mean, who doesn’t love zombies? And finally, Wal-Mart are offering 3 costumes based off Arkham City, one for Batman, Joker and Catwoman, which is the pack that stands out for me, as Arkham City is probably one of my favourite games of all time. And it makes sense, since Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman in Arkham City, is the voice Batman in Injustice. Now, you guys in the US are spoiled for choice (I can’t say the same for us Brits though), so it’s a good variety of options to go with. However, I expect all these to be available to everyone in time, and I doubt that they’ll leave the DLC at just that. And it’s a shame not one of the packs have a bonus character as a pre-order bonus, and I do hope a lot of DLC characters are on the horizon.

Graphics/Presentation

The Graphics look incredible. They really pulled out all the stops to make this game as jaw-droppingly beautiful as possible, with the stage transitions looking stunning, and scenes like Superman flying someone into space, and slamming them back down to earth are sensational. But then again, it’s hard to expect anything less, since Netherealm are a part of Warner Brothers. However, I’m struggling to see how this game is not going to get lag with all this crazy ass action going on. I do hope Netherealm have worked on their online problems from Mortal Kombat,

As fighting game enthusiast, this is a game I’m very much highly-anticipating. This looks and plays well, and is a lot more different then your average fighter, with a decent storyline. As a comic book fan, this is game which I think will be really cool, considering the great-variety of characters involved, and the elements of the DC universe being brought into video-game-form. So on paper, this is a match made in heaven, and on April 19th (the release date for Europe), the creators of Mortal Kombat get another chance to show that superheroes and fighting games, two of my greatest loves, can co-exist.