Revamping Injustice: Why a Mortal Kombat 1-Inspired Approach Could Be the Key
Revamping the Injustice franchise with a timeline-resetting approach, inspired by Mortal Kombat 1, could be the key to elevating Netherrealm's already acclaimed superpowered fighting franchise
Netherrealm Studios' Injustice series, which focuses on DC characters, has always shared similarities with its renowned Mortal Kombat franchise, including its visual style and fast-paced, intense combat. As Netherrealm prepares for the release of Mortal Kombat 1 later this year - with a storyline that is certain to reset the timeline - it should consider taking a similar narrative leap at the conclusion of Injustice 3. A timeline reset would be consistent with the time-hopping concepts that are a staple of comic books and could help reinvigorate the franchise moving forward.
The Injustice franchise was a significant accomplishment for Netherrealm Studios and DC Comics, with a cross-media continuity that extended to video games, comics, and even an animated film. The premise of superheroes gone bad set the stage for some of DC's most powerful heroes to battle it out, showcasing how thin the line between heroes and villains truly is. To keep Injustice's evil superhero storyline feeling fresh, Netherrealm should consider introducing some powerful new threats to the universe and moving away from the established timeline after Injustice 3.
Magic Could Be the Key to a Rebooted Injustice Universe
No matter which ending players chose in Injustice 2, the story was wrapped up neatly while still leaving potential for future installments. However, continuing the narrative of Batman versus Superman in a fourth game may become repetitive. To freshen things up, Injustice 3 could introduce powerful magical threats from DC Comics' storylines and position Batman as the series' newest adversary.
DC's magical heroes and villains have made appearances in previous Injustice games, making a magical menace a feasible addition. Raven, a Teen Titans member with time-traveling abilities, has been teased as a possible addition to Injustice 3. With a storyline involving her falling under the control of Ra's al Ghul, Raven could reset the timeline at the end of the game, creating a world where Bruce Wayne never left the League of Assassins and now poses the same threat as Superman did in previous games.
A Rebooted Injustice Could Place the Spotlight on Justice League Dark
A potential solution to the overused evil Superman plot in the Injustice franchise could lie in exploring the realm of magic. This would also provide an opportunity for the mysterious Justice League Dark to take center stage. Composed of some of the most powerful supernatural characters in the DC Universe, Justice League Dark focuses on combating magical threats. In an Injustice 4 storyline where Raven's time-traveling creates chaos, Justice League Dark could assemble to stop the now-corrupted Batman and restore the timeline.
Injustice games have already featured characters like Doctor Fate and Swamp Thing from the Justice League Dark, but Injustice 4 could introduce the reluctant leader, John Constantine, who was seen forming the group in Raiden's ending in Injustice 2. Netherrealm could also introduce some of the lesser-known members of Justice League Dark, such as Detective Chimp and Man-Bat, to diversify the roster of characters in the Injustice franchise.
By rebooting the Injustice timeline, inspired by the success of Mortal Kombat 1, Netherrealm has the opportunity to inject new life into its superhero fighting franchise. Focusing on DC's magical heroes and villains would be the ideal approach, introducing a fresh roster of playable characters and featuring a corrupted Batman as the ultimate, most daunting adversary in the series yet. Recent rumors suggest that Injustice 3 is currently in the works.
