Lessons Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's Metropolis Can Take from Arkham Knight

Article Key Points

The objective of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is to shine a light on Metropolis, the hometown of Superman, within the DC gaming arena. This game introduces a fresh backdrop to the well-known Arkhamverse series.

Rocksteady's prowess in crafting captivating comic book universes, demonstrated in the acclaimed Batman: Arkham series, suggests that Kill the Justice League's rendition of Metropolis has the potential to be visually stunning and enthralling in its mechanics.

For the game to captivate players, Rocksteady should strive to fashion unique districts within Metropolis, seamlessly integrating iconic landmarks into the gameplay, and offering players alluring incentives to immerse themselves in the dynamic cityscape.

The world of DC Comics hosts a plethora of distinctive locations, including Gotham City and Coast City. However, not many of these cities have made their way into the realm of video games. Among them, Gotham, the home of Batman, has received the most attention over the years. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League aims to give the spotlight to Metropolis, the city closely associated with Superman and also holds a high level of popularity. Despite the invasion by Brainiac causing Metropolis to lose its usual pristine condition, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has the potential to shine in this setting.

Rocksteady, the developer, is no stranger to creating open worlds inspired by comic books, as exemplified by the Batman: Arkham series. The arrival of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League not only marks Rocksteady's return to the DC gaming space but also represents the first new addition to the Arkhamverse since the release of Arkham Knight in 2015. While the game has faced controversy due to its integration of live-service elements, it still has an opportunity to impress players with its portrayal of Metropolis. By utilizing Gotham from Arkham Knight as a blueprint, Rocksteady has the potential to deliver another deeply immersive gaming experience.

Give Metropolis Distinct Districts

Real-world cities are renowned for their diverse districts and boroughs, each exuding its own unique personality and allure. Rocksteady was fully cognizant of this fact when meticulously crafting the enthralling metropolis of Gotham in Arkham Knight; the city was comprised of various sections, each brimming with distinctive visuals. Just as the comics have depicted Metropolis with its own distinctive boroughs, it is crucial for Rocksteady to ensure that every section of the city in Kill the Justice League maintains its own individuality. Without visual differentiation, players may easily grow weary of traversing the city, regardless of the game's dynamic and frenzied movement system.

Make Metropolis' Landmarks Part Of The Action

Arkham Knight featured captivating moments that unfolded in and around notable Gotham landmarks. Exploring the likes of the Ace Chemicals building and the Gotham City Police Department allowed players to engage with iconic locations from the comic series. In a similar vein, Kill the Justice League presents opportunities to delve into the heart of Metropolis, further immersing players in the overall experience. The Daily Planet naturally comes to mind as a central point for Brainiac's invasion, while the Ace o' Clubs bar could also emerge as a battleground during intense clashes.

Give Players Reasons To Explore

Not only was Arkham Knight's Gotham visually stunning, but it also provided players with a compelling reason to explore the city using Batman's cape and Batmobile.

The development process of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has been less than smooth since its announcement. However, the game's backdrop in Metropolis still holds some promise. Rocksteady has consistently demonstrated its ability to create visually stunning and mechanically engaging worlds, and initial gameplay footage suggests that Metropolis could possess some of the same allure as Arkham Knight. Only time will tell if the gameplay mechanics of Kill the Justice League hinder what could otherwise be an immersive experience within the world of comic books.

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League

Franchise: Suicide Squad

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

Release Date: February 2, 2024

Developed by: Rocksteady Studios

Published by: Warner Bros. Interactive

Genres: Action, Adventure

Official Site: [Link]

Steam: [Link]

Playstation Store: [Link]

Editor's P/S

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has the potential to be a great game, but it needs to learn from the mistakes of Batman: Arkham Knight. One of the biggest complaints about Arkham Knight was that the city of Gotham was too big and empty. There was nothing to do in the city besides fight crime, and it quickly became boring. Metropolis needs to be more than just a big city; it needs to be a living, breathing world. There should be things to do everywhere you go, and you should always feel like you're in danger.

Rocksteady also needs to make sure that the city is visually distinct from Gotham. Metropolis is a much more modern city than Gotham, and it should reflect that in its architecture and design. The city should feel like a real place, not just a video game world. If Rocksteady can learn from the mistakes of Arkham Knight, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League could be one of the best superhero games ever made.