Everyone Was Wrong About Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

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Over the festive season, I managed to snag Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League from the PlayStation Store at under $10. Upon finishing the game and watching the credits, a sudden realization struck me – contrary to popular belief, this game is genuinely enjoyable!

Although some may disagree, playing Rocksteady’s acclaimed looter-shooter provided me with an enjoyable third-person shooting adventure reminiscent of my last such experience in 2014’s Sunset Overdrive.

Critics and gamers were overly critical towards Rocksteady’s newest intellectual property following the popularity of their highly praised Batman: Arkham series. What started as a lack of trust in the looter-shooter genre quickly escalated into blatant misinformation spread by right-wing discourse.

Suicide Squad (or SS: KTJL) stands out uniquely among games, even though it didn’t quite catch the wave of popular looter-shooters like Destiny 2 and Warframe. What sets it apart is its chaotic gameplay and memorable DC character portrayals. As a devoted Destiny 2 player, I found this an unexpectedly entertaining diversion.

As we approach the final chapter for this extraordinary looter-shooter, with its swan song update due out soon, I can’t help but feel a sense of reverence for this title that, though it didn’t quite scale the heights many had anticipated, still managed to captivate us in ways few other games have. Allow me to share my perspective on why Second Space: Kingdoms Torn, Just Lands Left might just be more beloved than initially perceived:

1. Immersive World Building: The creators of SS:KTJL crafted a universe brimming with intricate lore, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes that kept me engrossed for hours on end. Each region offered unique challenges and rewards, making exploration not just a means to an end but a joy in itself.

2. Engaging Gameplay Mechanics: From the strategic combat system that required both skill and strategy, to the dynamic loot drops that kept me coming back for more, SS:KTJL provided a gameplay experience that was as exhilarating as it was rewarding.

3. Compelling Characters: The diverse cast of characters in SS:KTJL brought the world to life, making each quest and interaction feel meaningful and memorable. Their growth and development throughout the story added depth and emotion to my journey through this fantastic realm.

4. Emotional Storytelling: At its core, SS:KTJL is a tale of hope, resilience, and unity in the face of adversity. The narrative’s poignant moments resonated with me on a personal level, making the game’s world feel not just fantastical, but relatable as well.

5. Replayability: With multiple endings, branching storylines, and procedurally generated content, SS:KTJL offered countless hours of entertainment for those willing to delve back into its captivating world. Each playthrough felt like a fresh adventure, filled with new discoveries and challenges that kept me coming back for more.

Though Second Space: Kingdoms Torn, Just Lands Left may not have achieved the commercial success many had hoped for, it remains an exceptional game that has left an indelible mark on me and countless others. As we bid farewell to this remarkable looter-shooter, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the incredible journey it took us on and the memories it helped create. Farewell, SS:KTJL – may your legacy live on in the hearts of those who dared to dream with you.

The Campaign Was Enjoyable

It came as a surprise to me that everyone was struggling to adapt to the fact that we weren’t acting as the Justice League. Yet, I can empathize with the enthusiasm for portraying characters like Wonder Woman, The Flash, or even Superman; there’s a raw, unbridled appeal in playing these mercenaries too.

During the brief run of the campaign, it stood out as particularly memorable for me. Being an ardent admirer of the Batman: Arkham series, encountering characters like Aaron Cash, Harley Quinn, and even Batman himself brought back nostalgic feelings, making me yearn for additional installments in the Arkham franchise.

Fighting against each member of the Justice League was thrilling and intense, but battling characters like The Flash and Superman using guns in SS: KTJL didn’t provide a satisfying feeling of triumph. Despite this, I must acknowledge that the game’s boss fights were less engaging compared to other aspects. Essentially, these battles revolve around continuously shooting bullets until the health bars of the opponents deplete entirely.

As a gamer, I can’t help but admit my fascination with the twisted personas of the supposedly ‘mind-controlled’ Justice League members. It makes me ponder about the grim reality that humanity might face if our world really turned upside down.

In the initial scene, Batman lurking over Task Force X truly sealed the deal for me. If it were a solo game, encountering the world’s best detective within his own deadly mansion would have been an unforgettable frightening experience.

Task Force X Is Great

As a devoted admirer, I’ve got to admit that Amanda Waller’s team of reformed felons might seem like a melancholic group at first glance, but they sure know how to tickle my funny bone! The way the characters are penned, particularly Captain Boomerang and King Shark, is nothing short of brilliantly unhinged. It’s this offbeat humor that keeps me hooked!

Every time they spoke, I couldn’t help but anticipate their next ridiculous comment.

Every encounter where the Justice League defeated an adversary was followed by a performance from a Task Force X team member. However, what truly piqued my interest was the climactic battle between Batman and Harley Quinn.

Despite some fans’ disapproval following this incident, it seems some may have overlooked the fact that Harley possesses a PhD. Given her expertise, it’s reasonable to assume she could neutralize the fear toxin.

Engaging with such unsavory characters provided even more motivation for me to savor the gaming experience. The cinematics were skillfully designed, and the facial animations beautifully captured the essence of contemporary video games.

I think Suicide Squad has some of the best facial animations in a game ever.

Gameplay Was Satisfying

Among many aspects associated with Suicide Squad, relatively few critics have taken issue with its gameplay. Without a doubt, this aspect is the game’s standout feature and one of its primary strengths.

Darting and firing through a map tailored for swift movement is an ongoing thrill, as every member of Task Force X possesses a distinct gearset that facilitates effortless navigation around the city of Metropolis.

During the final stages of the game, King Shark emerged as my preferred character due to his straightforward moveset and fondness for powerful weaponry. Blasting bullets into Brainiac’s face during each Incursion (the game’s ultimate activity) was immensely gratifying thanks to this love of heavy artillery.

Although certain players found the user interface a bit distracting, for me, it was all about obliterating those vibrant alien skulls, so the UI didn’t even cross my mind.

It was an ideal game for me to unwind and accomplish tasks until I grew tired of it. It turned out to be just what I required during my vacation, and I’m pleased that I decided to try it.

Everything Else Was Lackluster

Even though it had numerous positive aspects, the post-launch phase of the game encountered way too many issues. Unfortunately, for a live-service game, it fell short of the target Rocksteady intended to achieve.

After the final credits finished playing, I truly appreciated my gaming experience and managed to achieve the Platinum Trophy. Yet, it was during the post-game content that I decided to call it quits.

KTJL didn’t handle its endgame activities effectively.

In simpler terms, there wasn’t much motivation aside from gathering additional characters like Joker, Mrs. Freeze, Lawless, and Deathstroke, as well as potent firearms. If this was the pinnacle of Rocksteady’s idea for a live-service model, it seemed destined for failure right off the bat.

Spoiler Alert: The Story Isn’t Finished

The tale is far from over. We still need to vanquish the remaining Brainiacs and rescue the original Justice League, who are currently imprisoned.

When I found out that the individuals we were battling within the League were merely replicas created by Brainiac, my perspective on the story’s progression shifted significantly. Instead of us killing members of the Justice League, we are essentially defeating hundreds of Brainiac copies disguised as them. This unexpected twist adds depth to the narrative. But, hiding it within challenging endgame content seems like an underhanded tactic.

Task Force X’s main goal is restoring the original heroes from Brainiac’s grasp.

In our game’s most recent upgrade, we successfully rescued both Green Lantern and The Flash. It’s anticipated that Batman and Superman will follow suit, while there’s speculation about the return of Wonder Woman as well.

Regrettably, Rocksteady’s approach of rescuing each character via seasonal updates fell flat. Instead of advancing the narrative through engaging cutscenes, it relied on audio logs, lacking substantial story development.

As the last season nears, let’s cross our fingers for a satisfying wrap-up of the tale. It might be exciting if there was a fresh confrontation with Brainiac to tie up loose ends. To this point, the Brainiac versions we’ve battled throughout the year have essentially been re-skins of the Justice League.

It seems like there was widespread skepticism about Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, but I didn’t feel any remorse for investing 60 hours into a game that cost less than a coffee.

To be honest, I can totally empathize with the frustration of fans who splurged on this game at its launch price. It’s a bummer when we expect a great gaming experience and don’t get it as anticipated.

It’s my hope that Rocksteady Studios will gather the remnants of this abandoned project and return to what they excel at – creating exceptional single-player action games. Instead of focusing on looter-shooters or live-service games, which are currently oversaturated and unstable in the market, it would be refreshing to see them back in their element.

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2025-01-07 01:43