The Secret Weapon of Rocksteady Studios Revealed

Rocksteady Studios, established in 2004, has maintained a low profile in the gaming industry. Despite a lukewarm reception for their first game, Urban Chaos: Riot Response, released in 2006, the studio was entrusted with the Batman franchise. In 2009, Rocksteady revolutionized the superhero video game genre with Batman: Arkham Asylum. For the next seven years, the studio was dedicated to the Batman: Arkham series, delivering two sequels and a VR spin-off. With Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Rocksteady ventures into new territory, with a different setting, characters, and gameplay. While some fans wish the studio had stayed with its tried-and-true formula, Rocksteady always has a backup plan.

If Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Fails, Batman: Arkham Could Be Right Around the Corner

The upcoming release of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has been met with disappointment from fans. Despite generating initial interest upon its announcement in August of 2020, the recent gameplay reveal has caused a significant decline in anticipation for the game. Criticisms have been aimed at the game's integration of live-service, repetitive enemy designs, lackluster combat, and similar-looking character abilities. Additionally, the game's focus on looter-shooter gameplay has been deemed bizarre by some fans. In response to the negative feedback, Rocksteady delayed the game's release from its original 2023 window to February 2024. While the exact reasons behind the delay remain unknown, it's clear that the development team is working to address the issues that have been raised by fans. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to salvage the game's reputation.

The core issues of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League cannot be easily remedied or removed. While Rocksteady may be able to eliminate the game's live-service features, enhance hero abilities and modify enemy designs, the majority of the game's fundamental problems are deeply embedded in its central gameplay loop. The game's controversial looter-shooter mechanics are an integral part of the experience, and have been in development for years. Consequently, even with changes, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, Rocksteady has the potential to redeem itself.

One way for Rocksteady to win back the favor of its fans is by developing another Batman: Arkham game. While some may view this as a quick fix, many enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating a new installment in the franchise. By creating a game that is set in the same universe as the original Batman: Arkham series, or at least features its central characters, Rocksteady could remind its followers why they fell in love with the studio in the first place. This could help to restore faith in a company that revolutionized the superhero video game genre for the better.