Injustice 3 DLC Fighters Should Be Like Injustice 2s Hellboy, Not Sub-Zero

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Injustice 3 DLC Fighters Should Be Like Injustice 2s Hellboy, Not Sub-Zero

As a lifelong comic book enthusiast who’s been keeping tabs on the fighting game scene since the days of Street Fighter II, I can confidently say that NetherRealm Studios has an incredible opportunity with Injustice 3 to truly shake things up and deliver an unparalleled experience for fans like me.

With NetherRealm Studios consistently pushing boundaries in the fighting game genre by delivering impressive crossovers, the anticipation for a stellar lineup of guest characters in Injustice 3 is at an all-time high. The success of adding DLC fighters from beyond the DC universe in Injustice 2 and the ongoing presence of comic book characters in Mortal Kombat hints that this trend will continue in a game perfectly suited for it. However, considering the diminishing interest in NetherRealm Studios’ original collaborations, it seems wiser to include more obscure comic book characters rather than focusing on more of their own creations in Injustice 3.

In every Fighter Pack of the game “Injustice 2”, characters from different series have been making unexpected appearances. This tradition, which started with the developer’s earlier releases, has continued in DLC seasons. Characters from Mortal Kombat were a fun addition to the game, serving as a tribute to NetherRealm Studios. However, they were overshadowed by the daring decision to include both Hellboy and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. With a vast array of comic book worlds beyond DC and Marvel, it seems like a missed chance if these distinctive intellectual properties aren’t used as guest characters in “Injustice 3”.

DLC Crossovers Between Mortal Kombat and DC May Have Outlived Their Novelty

Squandering the Potential of a Comic-Centric Fighting Game

As a devoted fan, I’ve always admired how unique the narrative of Injustice stands out in the genre. This dark reimagining of the Justice League and other DC heroes fighting one another is truly remarkable, thanks to the prestige of its licenses. The roster of iconic characters from the imprint is vast, with Injustice featuring many fan-favorites across countless issues and multiple storylines. However, it’s interesting to note that in Injustice: Gods Among Us, Scorpion was previously a comic-based fighter. Yet, in the sequel, not only did Scorpion return, but Sub-Zero and Raiden also took up roles typically reserved for characters with similar powers. This decision left me wondering if there could have been more representation for those with similar abilities.

Introducing the Black Lightning Premier Skin lessened Raiden’s unnecessary presence within the game, yet it also pointed out that other electric-themed warriors could have filled his role initially. Similarly, Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat might be considered redundant, given that Captain Cold and Mr. Freeze already represent cryomancy in the game. Sub-Zero seems to exist mainly due to fan service, as he has numerous appearances outside of this medium.

Injustice 3 Should Lean More Heavily into Comic Book Guests like TMNT and Hellboy

Bringing Fighters From Other Comic Imprints to Life

In the upcoming “Injustice” game, there are numerous characters from various fictional worlds that might become part of the lineup. Some characters, like those from “Hellboy”, have already been hinted at due to past collaborations between NetheRealm Studios (NRS) and DC Comics with Dark Horse. Although “Watchmen” is known for its independent status, it’s actually owned by DC Comics, and since the characters have appeared in the “Doomsday Clock” series, they could potentially be included in the base roster too.

It was whispered that Static Shock might appear in Injustice 2, and given Milestone Media’s past practice of permitting his use, this suggests a promising future for him. Even less popular characters like Valiant Comics’ X-O Manowar could gain visibility thanks to their strategy of growth, as they have attempted expansion before. Characters such as Spawn and Omni-Man from Mortal Kombat hail from Image Comics, a publisher known for championing creator ownership, which has already resulted in NetherRealm securing successful licensing agreements multiple times.

Following Up on TMNT’s Success with Animation-Based Comic Characters

As a gamer, I’ve grown up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and while they started out as tough characters in a comic book series, it’s their stints in animated shows that really put them on the map. Since Nickelodeon owns the brand, their appearance in games like Injustice 2 doesn’t require any comics-related approval. This means we could potentially see characters like The Tick and The Maxx show up, but the growing overlap between different mediums in NetherRealm Studios’ collaborations suggests that even more surprising entries might be on the horizon.

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2024-11-11 19:53