Suicide Squad: Struggling to Maintain Balance with the Justice League

Highlights

The multiplayer live-service looter-shooter format of Rocksteady's highly anticipated game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, is generating a mixed response, primarily because of the balancing challenges it presents.

Rocksteady has a track record of creating unforgettable boss battles in their games. However, Suicide Squad may face challenges in finding the right balance for side bosses. It's important that these bosses are neither too weak nor too strong for the four-player team to defeat.

To tackle this issue, Rocksteady could introduce opponents like the Teen Titans, who pose a significant threat to the Suicide Squad but aren't as powerful as the Justice League. In addition, maintaining a balance in gear and weapons is crucial to prevent players from having unfair advantages.

Rocksteady remains one of the most influential developers in the superhero video game genre, with their groundbreaking Batman: Arkham series leaving a lasting impact. However, this doesn't guarantee that every game they create will be exceptional, and their upcoming title, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, appears to have some rough edges. Initially announced in 2020, Rocksteady has been relatively quiet about the game, only releasing a couple of cinematic trailers at DC FanDome.

For years, Rocksteady kept fans in the dark about the gameplay of Suicide Squad. Finally, in February of this year, they revealed that the game would be a multiplayer live-service looter-shooter, which received mixed reactions. Many fans were disappointed by this combination, as it is often associated with challenges and potential issues, particularly with balancing, including in the boss fights of Suicide Squad.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League May Have a Side Boss Problem

Rocksteady's boss fights in their games have always been well-received, especially in Batman: Arkham Asylum where the memorable encounters with Scarecrow, Bane, and Killer Croc still stand out. Batman: Arkham City doubled down on boss fights, though they weren't flawless, they remain unforgettable. However, Arkham Knight focused too heavily on Batmobile boss fights, overshadowing the grounded encounters which were some of the best in the series.

Given this track record, it's highly likely that Rocksteady will aim to continue this legacy in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. While boss fights against the Justice League and Brainiac have been all but confirmed, it's the side bosses in Suicide Squad that could face difficulties with balancing. The main challenge lies in finding a group of bosses that are not too weak to pose a proper threat, yet still require the combined strength of all four Suicide Squad members to defeat.

Content must be

In order to make Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League compelling, Rocksteady must choose adversaries who are worthy opponents for the entire Suicide Squad, since the Justice League and Brainiac are reserved for the main story. Traditional Rocksteady villains like Two-Face, Riddler, Penguin, and even Bane would not suffice, as they are formidable but not on the same level as the combined powers of the Suicide Squad.

To provide a challenging but balanced side boss encounter, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League could introduce the Teen Titans as adversaries. While they would pose a significant threat to the Suicide Squad, they would not possess the same overwhelming strength as the Justice League.

However, the balancing issues in Suicide Squad's boss fights are only one aspect to consider. The actual gameplay introduces another layer of complexity. As a looter-shooter, there is always the chance that players will come across an overpowered weapon or piece of equipment early on. This can significantly diminish the challenge posed by any boss, particularly optional ones. Therefore, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League must handle the delicate task of balancing its gear and weapons very carefully.

The release date for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is set for February 2, 2024, and it will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.