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Injustice 2
Cover art featuring Superman
DeveloperNetherRealm Studios[a]
PublisherWarner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
DirectorEd Boon
ProducerAndrew Stein
DesignerJohn Edwards
ArtistSteve Beran
Writers
  • Dominic Cianciolo
  • Shawn Kittelsen
ComposerChristopher Drake[b]
SeriesInjustice
Engine
Platforms
Release
May 9, 2017
  • iOS
    • WW: May 9, 2017
    Android
    • WW: May 11, 2017
    PlayStation 4, Xbox One
    • NA: May 16, 2017
    • AU: May 17, 2017
    • EU: May 19, 2017
    Windows
    • WW: November 14, 2017
GenreFighting
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Injustice 2 is a 2017 fighting game developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It is the sequel to 2013's Injustice: Gods Among Us and the second installment in the Injustice series. which is based on the DC Universe. The storyline centers around Batman and his insurgency's attempt to restore society after the fall of Superman's Regime; however, the arrivals of the newly formed supervillain group "The Society" and the alien Brainiac force Batman to consider freeing the imprisoned Superman to help combat the threats.

The game was initially released in May 2017 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One; a Windows version was released later in November 2017. An expanded version of the game, titled Injustice 2: Legendary Edition, was released in March 2018 for the PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. Similar to the previous installment, a companion mobile app was released for Android and iOS devices. A prequel comic book series of the same name, written by Tom Taylor, was also released beginning in April 2017.

The core gameplay remains similar to its predecessor, albeit with minor adjustments to returning game mechanics. Injustice 2 introduces a new feature called the Gear System, a loot-dropping system that rewards players with costume pieces and equipment that can be used to customize characters' appearances and modify their abilities and stats. According to developers, the idea for implementing a role playing game (RPG)-style progression system into a fighting game had existed since before the collapse of Midway Games, the original developer and publisher for the Mortal Kombat series. Director Ed Boon also sought to incorporate gameplay mechanics used by multiplayer shooter games, such as personalization, character creation, loot, and leveling up, into the fighting game genre, which led to the development of the Gear System.

The game won numerous awards and received positive reviews from critics, who praised its story, presentation, improved gameplay mechanics, abundance of in-game content, and character customization options, while criticizing its random loot and microtransaction systems.

Gameplay

[edit]
See also: Gameplay in Injustice: Gods Among Us
A gameplay screenshot of the Flash and Deadshot on the Metropolis stage

Injustice 2 is a fighting game in which players compete in one-on-one combat using characters from the DC Universe and other third-party franchises. Using different combinations of directional inputs and button presses, players must perform basic attacks, special moves, and combos to try to damage and knock out the opposing fighter.[3][4] Injustice 2 retains numerous gameplay mechanics from Injustice: Gods Among Us, including environment interaction, stage transitions, clashes, and character traits.[5][6][7] The trait system, like before, provides a temporary buff or ability that complements each character's playstyle.[5] The super meter, which allows players to execute enhanced special moves and unlock powerful "super moves" when fully charged, also returns.[8] Players can expend meter to perform new techniques, such as an evasive forward roll, which provides a way to overcome enemy keep-away tactics, or an air recovery, which lets characters escape an opponent's combo early.[5][9] Most environmental attacks, which were completely unavoidable in the first Injustice game, can now be blocked or dodged; however, certain environmental attacks with large amounts of startup, such as throwing a car, remain unblockable.[3][9]

Injustice 2 introduces a loot-dropping system, known as the "Gear System", which offers character-specific costume pieces and equipment with status-altering effects.[10] The Gear System uses RPG-like mechanics to reward players with experience and loot after every match.[11][12] Every playable fighter is given four base stats: strength, defense, health, and ability, the latter of which impacts special attacks.[12] As players collect experience points and level up, their characters' base stats will increase.[12] Players can enhance their base stats even further by equipping gear obtained through loot drops, which also lets players customize the look of their characters.[12][13] Rarer gear can include one or more bonus augmentations, which range from new visual effects for special moves to higher yields of in-game currency or experience points.[12] Players can receive additional bonuses by equipping their characters with all five pieces of a single gear set.[12] Gear comes in three varieties: equipment, shaders, and abilities.[14] Besides the random loot earned at the end of a fight, all three types of gear are available to purchase in loot crates, known as "Mother Boxes", using in-game currency.[14] Each character has five equipment slots for donning new costume pieces, which include their head, torso, arms, legs, and an accessory; two ability slots for equipping new or modified special attacks; and one shader slot for altering their color scheme.[14][15] The game will also include five separate gear loadouts for each character, allowing players to switch between their setups at the beginning of each match.[15]

The game also includes a microtransaction system.[16][17] Players can buy "Source Crystals" using real-world money to purchase cosmetic adjustments for fighters, such as premier skins and shaders, instead of waiting to obtain them through normal play.[16] Source Crystals can also be used to buy "Transform Gear".[16] Transform Gear lets players apply the visuals of one piece of gear to another, allowing them to match their preferred stat modifiers with their preferred costume pieces.[16] Lastly, once players have reached Level 20 with at least one character, Source Crystals can be used to level up other characters to their maximum levels.[17] NetherRealm representatives clarified that purchases made with Source Crystals are strictly cosmetic and offer no gameplay advantages.[16][17]

In addition to the campaign, online, and arcade modes, Injustice 2 introduces a new "Multiverse" mode.[18] Similar to the "Living Towers" mode from NetherRealm's previous title, Mortal Kombat X, the Multiverse allows players to travel through series of parallel worlds within the DC Universe and battle against opponents with various handicaps, stipulations, and goals.[18] Online multiplayer features the option to disable Gear System upgrades and modifications, reducing all base stats to their default levels, turning any equipped gear into purely cosmetic items, and providing more balanced gameplay for competitive matches.[12][19][20] Players can also form online "guilds" with up to 50 other players.[21] Guild members can collaborate to complete daily and weekly cooperative objectives to earn and share gear exclusive to guild gameplay and climb the worldwide leaderboards.[21]

Plot

[edit]

The game begins with Kara Zor-El and an infant Kal-El escaping from Krypton during Brainiac's invasion of the planet. Aided by Kara's mother, they manage to escape aboard pods headed to Earth, but Kara's ship is knocked off course. Years later, prior to the events of the first game, Batman and his son Robin attempt to stop Superman's Regime from executing Arkham Asylum inmates. Failing to dissuade Superman, Batman fights him but is attacked by Robin, who prefers Superman's methods. Batman defeats Robin, but the latter leaves with Superman to join the Regime anyway after executing Victor Zsasz.

In the present, five years after the Regime's fall, Batman and his Insurgency are attempting to rebuild society. They learn of a new faction, the Society, composed of villains spearheaded by Gorilla Grodd, who seeks global domination. Black Canary, Green Arrow and a reformed Harley Quinn are tasked by Batman with stopping the Society, and track them down to Slaughter Swamp, where they form an alliance with Swamp Thing. Following the villains to Gorilla City, the heroes are warned by Doctor Fate of an incoming threat. Black Canary and Green Arrow are abducted by Brainiac, the mastermind behind the Society, who intends to add Earth to his collection of shrunken planets. After Brainiac takes over Batman's communications hub, Brother Eye, Batman searches for allies to defeat him.

While Catwoman, a double agent for Batman in the Society, rescues Harley, a reformed Flash and Green Lantern join Batman to take down Brainiac. Green Lantern is sent to recruit Aquaman, who agrees to help after Brainiac attacks Atlantis. Meanwhile, Black Adam, Wonder Woman, and Kara (who was rescued by Adam years prior and adopted the Supergirl alias) break Nightwing and Cyborg out of prison in an attempt to re-establish the Regime and defeat Brainiac. They are defeated by Blue Beetle and Firestorm before Batman arrives. Batman frees Superman and forms a reluctant alliance with the Regime members on the condition that no one is killed in the upcoming battles.

Cyborg, Catwoman, and Harley go to the Batcave to free Brother Eye from Brainiac's control and defeat Society members sent to stop them. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman and Supergirl fight the remaining Society members in New Metropolis; when the former almost kills Cheetah, Harley interferes, causing Wonder Woman to attack her. Supergirl goes to the Fortress of Solitude to confront Superman over the incident, and learns of his tyranny. As Brainiac prepares to destroy Earth after collecting enough cities, the Insurgency and the Regime attack his ship, but fail to get through its shields, and seemingly lose Superman. The group decides to weaken the shields by using Aquaman's trident as a conduit for the magic of the Rock of Eternity, which Black Adam and Aquaman proceed to retrieve. They are followed by Grodd, who has brainwashed Black Canary, Green Arrow, and Blue Beetle, but they defeat them, and Aquaman executes Grodd.

Black Adam and Aquaman weaken Brainiac's shields enough for Batman and Supergirl to board his ship. They are captured, but a still-living Superman rescues them and helps Batman defeat the brainwashed Firestorm and Swamp Thing. Doctor Fate, ordered by the Lords of Order to help Brainiac, fights them, but he is defeated and freed from the Lords' control before Brainiac kills him. After defeating Brainiac, Superman takes control of the ship to restore the stolen cities, but inadvertently destroys New Metropolis and Coast City. As the others join them, they become divided over Brainiac's fate: Batman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Supergirl want to keep him alive so they can learn how to restore the cities, while Superman, Wonder Woman, Black Adam, and Aquaman want him executed for his crimes. The tension between them escalates into a fight, prompting the player to choose whether to fight as Superman or Batman. Both sides proceed to fight each other until Batman and Superman are the last ones standing. The two reminisce a final time before engaging in a final fight.

The game features two endings depending on the outcome of the final fight:

  • If Superman wins, he kills Brainiac and reforms the Regime. He visits an imprisoned Supergirl, telling her he has restored Earth's cities and asking her to lead his new army. When she refuses, Superman reveals that he has brainwashed Batman using Brainiac's technology, threatening to do the same to her if she does not comply.
  • If Batman wins, he permanently depowers Superman with Gold Kryptonite and imprisons him in the Phantom Zone. He then offers Supergirl membership in the re-established Justice League, which she accepts.

Characters

[edit]

The base roster for Injustice 2 includes 28 playable fighters, consisting of both new and returning heroes and villains.[22][23] The game also features 10[24] additional characters available as downloadable content (DLC). Red Hood, Starfire, and Sub-Zero made up Fighter Pack 1, while Fighter Pack 2 brought in Black Manta, Hellboy, and Raiden, and Fighter Pack 3 introduced Atom, Enchantress, and the TMNT. Darkseid was a pre-order bonus and later made available as standalone DLC from the Fighter Packs.[25][26]

New playable characters are listed in bold, while guest characters are listed with an underscore.[27]

Additionally, several characters are playable as "premier skins", which transform characters from the existing roster into other characters from mostly DC Comics Universe with unique voices, dialogue, and in certain cases, altered normal/special/super moves and character powers.[28][29]

^DLC : Available as downloadable content.
^MOB : Mobile-exclusive character

Development

[edit]

Injustice 2 was announced by NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on June 8, 2016.[34] Following the release of Injustice: Gods Among Us, NetherRealm Studios sought to do "something unexpected and long-term" for its sequel, as well as give players "a level of control that makes playing [their] games a truly personal experience."[11][10] Ed Boon also wanted to infuse various gameplay mechanics used by recent multiplayer shooter games, such as personalization, character creation, loot, and leveling up, into the fighting game genre.[10] According to producer Adam Urbano, the idea of creating a fighting game utilizing a role playing game-like progression system had been floating around the studio since before the closing of Midway Games, the original developer and publisher for the Mortal Kombat series.[35] Due to the success of the original Injustice, which earned NetherRealm Studios the trust of Warner Bros. and DC Comics, the development team decided to pitch their progression concept for the sequel, which was approved, leading to the implementation of the Gear System.[35]

The Gear System was designed to encourage players to develop unique personal playstyles, while consistently rewarding them for investing time into the game.[12] According to senior marketing game manager Brian Goodman, the developers wanted the Gear System to cater to both the casual and hardcore audiences.[36] They hoped that hardcore players would appreciate the different mechanics offered by the system and create new strategies and fighting styles for each character, while casual players would enjoy the variety of visual customization options.[36] NetherRealm also foresaw the potential issue with newer players being dominated by veteran players who have obtained rarer gear sets.[12] To address this, the developers attempted to implement various solutions, such as giving players the option to disable stat modifiers during matches and the ability to buy rarer gear through the assorted tiers of Mother Boxes.[12] A "balance team" was also consulted during development to try to prevent players from clustering around a small number of optimal builds.[37]

NetherRealm Studios collaborated with DC Comics throughout Injustice 2's entire development process, including conceptualizing characters and determining the direction of the story.[38] As with Injustice: Gods Among Us, NetherRealm was afforded extensive freedom with DC Comics' properties when designing characters.[12] Lead designer John Edwards stated that all of their design ideas had to pass through DC Comics' approval process; though, the company had rarely rejected them.[14] This allowed the developers to create a large variety of costume variations and visually distinct items inspired by decades of source material.[12][14] "It's a mutual respect," explained art director Steve Beran. "They respect what we do, and we respect all their characters. We are fans of their characters and, I think, art-wise and design-wise, we put a lot of detail that hardcore fans will like. We tried to really honor every character."[14]

Injustice 2 continues the storyline established in Injustice: Gods Among Us.[22] Unlike the previous game, which centered on a multi-universe conflict, the plot for Injustice 2 takes place entirely within the alternate, dystopian universe.[18] According to Injustice: Gods Among Us cinematic director Dominic Cianciolo, the story from the first installment provided a solid foundation for adapting the canonical histories of the game's newer cast, allowing the writers to fit their stories within the Injustice universe.[39] The biggest challenge presented to the writers was extending the series' narrative without repeating the core Batman versus Superman conflict.[39] This led to the inclusion of Brainiac as the game's central antagonist, as there were few characters in the DC Universe that could top "Dictator Superman" as a foe for Batman.[39]

According to Goodman, the playable characters were decided upon by NetherRealm Studios in collaboration with DC Comics, similar to the previous title.[36][40] The developers considered the characters' lore, personalities, abilities, popularity, participation in the story, and relationships with other characters during the roster selection process.[36][40] Creative Director Ed Boon stated that Injustice 2's roster would contain more relatively obscure characters, since Injustice: Gods Among Us had covered most of DC Comics' most notable figures.[41] He teased the possibility of third-party DLC characters, which were well received in Mortal Kombat X, eventually resulting in the inclusions of Hellboy from Dark Horse Comics created by Mike Mignola and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from Nickelodeon, originally created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.[41][42] Due to the success of Scorpion in the previous installment, who was the most downloaded DLC fighter, Boon also entertained the likelihood of NetherRealm including other Mortal Kombat characters as downloadable content, leading to the inclusions of Sub-Zero and Raiden.[43][44][42] As with Scorpion, Sub-Zero and Raiden were given new costume designs by comic book artist Jim Lee.[45][46]

Characters' facial animations were created with a custom photogrammetry facial scanner, which utilized 44 DSLR cameras with 50 mm fixed lenses.[47] Character Art Lead Brendan George stated that 16 facial expressions were captured to create a single character; the 16 scans then took two to three days to process through their workstations.[47] The data from their new scanner allowed the artists to produce a more advanced facial rig.[47] All motion capture was performed in-house at NetherRealm Studios in Chicago, Illinois.[47] According to Senior Technical Artist for Cinematics Andy Senesac, the animation team used four head-mounted camera systems in its motion capture shoots, each equipped with a choice of three different 4 mm, 5 mm, or wide-angled lenses that were used depending on the actor's head shape.[47] The motion capture was then modified with manual animations to obtain the final result.[47]

The online infrastructure for Injustice 2 utilizes the same rollback-based netcode introduced to Mortal Kombat X in its XL update.[48] An online multiplayer beta test for both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions was announced on January 19, 2017, which began soon afterwards on January 24 and lasted until February 21.[41][49][50] The game's original soundtrack was composed primarily by Christopher Drake, with additional compositions from Richard Carle, Dan Forden, and Dynamedion.[51] Injustice 2 runs on the Mortal Kombat X engine (Unreal Engine 3), with the mobile version running on Unreal Engine 4.[52][53]

Release

[edit]

Injustice 2 released in North America on May 16, 2017; Australia on May 17, 2017; and most European countries including the United Kingdom on May 19, 2017, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.[11][54][55][56][57] Aside from the standard edition of the game, a Digital Deluxe Edition and an Ultimate Edition were available for purchase.[28] The Digital Deluxe Edition included three downloadable content (DLC) characters, the Power Girl premier skin, and one exclusive gear shader pack; the Ultimate Edition included nine DLC characters, the Reverse-Flash, John Stewart, and Power Girl premier skins, and two exclusive gear shader packs.[28] Pre-orders of the game featured Darkseid as a playable DLC fighter.[28][58]

On May 8, 2017, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced the Injustice 2 Championship Series, a global eSports program.[59] The series offered amateur and professional players throughout North America, Europe, and Latin America a chance to compete in different programs for a portion of a US$600,000 prize pool.[59] These included the Injustice 2 Pro Series, an international tournament; the GameStop Hometown Heroes tournament, set in the United States; the Path to Pro tournament, set in Europe; and the Liga Latina, set in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Peru.[59] The top players from each program qualified for the ELEAGUE Injustice 2 World Championship, which featured a US$250,000 prize pool.[59][60] The event took place in Atlanta, Georgia, from October 21 through November 10, and was streamed worldwide through the ELEAGUE website, Twitch, and YouTube; matches were also broadcast live on TBS in the United States.[60][61] On April 10, 2018, NetherRealm announced that the Pro Series would return for a second season.[62]

On October 24, 2017, Warner Bros. announced that a Windows version developed by QLOC, who had previously taken over development for Mortal Kombat X's PC port from High Voltage Software, was due for release in Q4 2017, with an open beta stage beginning on October 25.[63] However, the beta was postponed for unspecified reasons, ultimately running between November 6 and November 11.[63][64] The Windows version was released on November 14, 2017.[65] Creative director Ed Boon has also discussed the possibility of a Nintendo Switch version.[66]

Mobile version

[edit]

Like its predecessor, a free-to-play mobile app based on Injustice 2 was iOS and Android devices on May 9, 2017, and May 11, respectively.[67][68][69] The app was soft launched in the Philippines App Store in February 2017.[70][71] It maintains several gameplay features from the original, including the swipe-based fighting mechanics, card collection, and three-on-three battles, but introduces various changes to the game's overall formula.[72][73] Players are given the ability to move around the stage freely during combat, as well as use jumping and crouching attacks.[74] The stamina management system returns; however, instead of each character receiving their own allotment of stamina, the player is given a single pool of stamina which depletes after every match.[72] Fights also require higher levels of stamina than the previous game.[72] The app includes login bonuses; daily objectives, which offer experience and coins; and achievements, which are long-term goals that reward players with premium gems and "hero shards" used for unlocking and leveling up characters.[72] It also features game mechanics similar to those found in the console versions, such as ability and gear upgrades.[72] The app includes a story mode, which released chapter by chapter in subsequent updates.[73] According to Google Play, the Android version of the app has been downloaded at least ten million times since its release.[75]

Downloadable content

[edit]

According to Boon, NetherRealm Studios planned to take a more "aggressive approach" for downloadable content in Injustice 2 compared to their previous games.[25] "One of the things we’ve been doing, trying to do more and more with every game...is to support it for a longer period of time," Boon stated, "With DLC characters, we’ve had four with Mortal Kombat, six with Injustice, eight with Mortal Kombat X, and with Injustice 2 we plan on continuing that pattern."[25] On May 5, 2017, NetherRealm Studios announced Fighter Pack 1, which includes three DLC characters: Red Hood, Starfire, and Mortal Kombat's Sub-Zero.[76] Red Hood was released on June 13, 2017; Sub-Zero was released on July 11, 2017; and Starfire was released on August 8, 2017.[77][78][79] Fighter Pack 2, consisting of Black Manta, Mortal Kombat's Raiden, and Dark Horse Comics' Hellboy, was revealed on August 23, 2017, at Gamescom.[80] Black Manta was released on September 12, 2017; Raiden was released on October 3, 2017, alongside the Black Lightning premier skin; and Hellboy was released on November 14, 2017.[81][82][83] On October 3, 2017, during the finale of The CW's documentary television series Chasing the Cup: Injustice 2, Atom was revealed as the next DLC addition.[84][85] The third DLC pack, Fighter Pack 3, was unveiled during the finals of the ELEAGUE Injustice 2 World Championship on November 11, 2017, which includes Atom, Enchantress, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) protagonists Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael.[86][87] Atom was released on December 12, 2017; Enchantress was released on January 9, 2018; and lastly, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were released on February 13, 2018.[88][89][90] Players can select which TMNT member to play as using the Gear System; equipping one of four weapons — katana, bō, nunchaku, or sai — swaps between Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael, each with their own unique move sets.[90] In tournament and online modes, where Gear System loadouts cannot be used, players can choose each turtle individually through the character select screen.[90] At one point, NetherRealm had considered developing a Fighter Pack 0, which would consist of returning characters from Injustice: Gods Among Us, including Ares, Batgirl, Doomsday, and Shazam; however, the idea did not come to fruition.[91] In April 2019, two years after the game's release, Ed Boon revealed on Game Informer that he wanted to include Neo from The Matrix as a guest character, but plans fell through for his inclusion.[92]

[edit]
Main article: Injustice 2 (comics)

During NetherRealm Studios' Injustice 2 panel at San Diego Comic-Con on July 22, 2016, Boon announced a digital comic book series which will detail the backstory to the events of the game.[93] The series is written by Tom Taylor, who had previously worked on the tie-in comic books for Injustice: Gods Among Us.[93] Bruno Redondo is its lead artist, with contributing artwork from Juan Albarran, Daniel Sempere, and Mike S. Miller.[94] Beginning on April 11, 2017, the series was released in weekly chapters through various digital retailers, including ComiXology, Google Play Books, the Kindle Store, and DC Comics' own mobile app.[93][94][95] Print versions became available for purchase on May 3, 2017, each containing multiple digital chapters.[95][96]

It was announced on April 26, 2018, that the game would cross over with Mattel's Masters of the Universe series as a comic sequel to the game's "Superman's side" ending. The comic received six issues, from July 18, 2018, until January 2, 2019.[97]

Injustice 2: Legendary Edition

[edit]

On February 28, 2018, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced Injustice 2: Legendary Edition.[98][99] Similar to the Ultimate Edition for Injustice: Gods Among Us, the Legendary Edition includes all previously released downloadable content for Injustice 2.[98][99] It also introduces new features, such as an expanded tutorial system called the "Learn Hub", new gear items, and an increased character level cap.[98][99] In addition, those who pre-order the Day One Edition of the Legendary Edition received a collectible coin, a steelbook case, a "comic exclusive download steel card", and 11,000 Source Crystals to use in-game.[98][99] The Legendary Edition was released on March 27, 2018, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.[98][99]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

Injustice 2 received generally favorable reviews, according to Metacritic.[101][102][103] Reviewers lauded Injustice 2's story and presentation.[106][107][23][122] Eurogamer's Wesley Yin-Poole praised the game's narrative and visuals, describing them as "impressive" and a "significant step up" from Injustice: Gods Among Us.[106] Yin-Poole commended the story mode on a technical level, praising the motion capture, action choreography, voice acting, and facial animations.[106] Destructoid's Nick Valdez shared similar views, stating that the visuals were "leagues above the first title".[122] Valdez also complimented the game's improved writing and "more engaging narrative".[122] In contrast, while Game Revolution's James Kozanitis said the visuals were "absolutely jaw-dropping" and "set a new high bar for the [fighting game] genre", he lambasted the story campaign, which he labeled as "poorly written" and "contrived".[108]

Reviewers also praised Injustice 2's improved gameplay mechanics and abundance of in-game content.[106][107][112][23] Game Informer's Andrew Reiner praised the game's faster walk speed, the additions of the evasive roll and air recovery maneuvers, and the ability to block environmental attacks, stating that the game "[felt] tighter as a whole" and "offers a higher level of strategy".[107] The Games Machine's Danilo Dellafrana stated that "the subtle changes to the combat system made for deeper gameplay".[112] These points of praise were mirrored by IGN's Darry Huskey, who remarked that Injustice 2 "[struck] a fine balance between retaining the strengths of Gods Among Us and making smart changes to improve mechanics."[23] Huskey applauded the "incredible amount of content", declaring that "hour for hour, Injustice 2 may have more content for solo players than any fighting game ever released."[23] Reiner also praised the amount of content, acknowledging its "lengthy story-based campaign...great fighting experience, and...nearly endless supply of notable loot."[107] Yin-Poole wrote that NetherRealm Studios "once again [proved] it's the best in the business at that old chestnut: content."[106]

While the customization options offered by the Gear System received praise, critics expressed frustration with receiving random, undesired gear through loot drops and the game's microtransaction system.[109][111][123] GameSpot's Peter Brown found collecting gear and outfitting characters to be enjoyable, stating that "watching a character's traditional outfit transform into something fresh or unexpected, and seeing their stats grow through leveling up and equipping gear, grants a satisfying sense of ownership over your accomplishments and possessions."[109] On the other hand, Brown criticized the Gear System's use of currency, particularly Source Crystals, saying that spending real money seemed to be a "necessary evil" for players to have complete control over their inventories.[109] Kotaku's Mike Fahey described the ability to create custom versions of characters as "quite satisfying"; however, he found the Gear System to be "complicated" and criticized the randomness in receiving desired costume pieces and equipment, uttering "sometimes random chance really sucks."[123] VideoGamer.com's Alice Bell also called the microtransaction and loot systems "needlessly complex", which require players to keep track of several different types of currency.[111] In contrast, Polygon's Michael McWhertor called the interface "elegant", enjoying the simplicity of managing and selling of gear for each character.[110]

PC Gamer listed it as one of their best games of the year.[124]

Sales

[edit]

Injustice 2 topped the United Kingdom's multi-platform physical sales chart during its first two weeks after launch, with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions simultaneously taking the first and second spots, respectively.[125][126] This marked the first time a fighting game had taken the top spot since Mortal Kombat X in April 2015.[125] Launch sales for the game in the United Kingdom were also roughly one-third higher than the debut of Injustice: Gods Among Us.[125] Likewise, Injustice 2 was the top-selling game across all platforms in Australia and New Zealand during its first two weeks, and the best-selling game in the United States for the month of May 2017.[127][128][129] It reached number 2 in Switzerland.[130] It became the PlayStation Store's most downloaded PlayStation 4 title for May 2017, with Darkseid being the third best-selling DLC of the month.[131] The Ultimate Pack and Fighter Pack 1 were both in the Top 10 downloads in June 2017.[132] Three months later, Fighter Pack 2 also made the Top 10.[133] By the end of May, Injustice 2 was the ninth best-selling game of 2017.[134] Time Warner declared the game as "the highest-grossing console game in the second quarter of 2017," selling approximately 1.5 million copies in the first three months of its release.[135][136]

Awards

[edit]

In June 2016, Injustice 2 received "Best of E3 2016" awards for "Best Fighting Game" from the Game Critics Awards, IGN, Game Informer, and GamesRadar.[114][115][116][117] The game won "Best Fighting Game of 2017" awards from The Game Awards 2017, IGN, and Game Informer.[118][119][120] IGN also nominated the game for "Best Xbox One Game" and "Best Spectator Game".[137][138] The game was nominated for "Best International Game" at the 2017 Ping Awards,[139] for "Best Xbox One Game" in Destructoid's Game of the Year Awards 2017, and for "Best Multiplayer Game" and "Studio of the Year" (NetherRealm) at the Golden Joystick Awards.[140][141] In Game Informer's Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards, the game came in first place for "Best Fighting Game", third place for "Best Competitive Multiplayer" and fifth place for "Game of the Year".[142][143] EGMNow ranked it eleventh on their list of the 25 Best Games of 2017,[144] while GamesRadar+ ranked it 23rd on their list of the 25 Best Games of 2017.[145] The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences awarded Injustice 2 with "Fighting Game of the Year", while also receiving a nomination for "Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design", at the 21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.[146][121] It was also nominated for "Game, Franchise Fighting" at the 17th Annual National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards.[147][148]

Notes

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References

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Injustice 2

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Injustice 2 is a 2017 fighting video game developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It serves as the sequel to the 2013 game Injustice: Gods Among Us, featuring a roster of playable characters from the DC Comics universe, including superheroes and supervillains such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash. Mobile versions for iOS and Android were released on May 11, 2017, followed by PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions on May 16, 2017, and a Windows port on November 14, 2017. Set five years after the fall of Superman's authoritarian in an alternate , the story mode follows Batman and his allies as they work to restore order amid rising criminal threats, only to face an invasion by the alien villain Brainiac, who aims to collect and preserve 's cities by shrinking them. arrives on seeking her cousin , who remains imprisoned, leading to alliances and conflicts among heroes and villains as they battle Brainiac's forces and prevent global catastrophe. The narrative explores themes of redemption, power, and division within the , culminating in epic confrontations that tie into the broader DC lore. Gameplay builds on the series' 2.5D fighting mechanics with enhanced controls, including faster movement, new defensive options like environment dodges, and combo breakers to counter aggression. A signature feature is the gear system, where players earn loot drops after matches to customize character appearances, stats, and abilities, such as augmenting attacks or passives, adding RPG-like progression to both single-player and competitive modes. Additional modes include a cinematic story campaign, local and online multiplayer, and the , which offers procedurally generated challenges with modifiers for endless replayability. Injustice 2 received widespread critical acclaim for its compelling story, stunning visuals, deep customization, and refined combat, earning Metacritic aggregate scores of 87 for PlayStation 4, 89 for Xbox One, and 86 for PC. Reviewers praised its balance of single-player content and multiplayer depth, with IGN awarding it a 9/10 for improving upon its predecessor in nearly every aspect. Commercially, it became the highest-grossing console game of the second quarter of 2017, contributing to Warner Bros.' gaming division revenues rising 12% year-over-year. The game also spawned a Legendary Edition in 2018, bundling all DLC characters and content, further extending its legacy in the fighting game genre.

Gameplay

Combat Mechanics

Injustice 2 employs a fighting style, where characters rendered in full 3D models engage in combat restricted to a two-dimensional plane, allowing for fluid side-scrolling movement across expansive arenas. These arenas feature interactive environments that players can exploit during battles, such as grabbing nearby objects like cars or crates to hurl at opponents for additional damage. Environmental interactions extend to stage transitions, triggered by pushing an opponent to the arena's edge with repeated attacks, which propel both fighters to a new section of the level, often involving cinematic destruction like smashing through walls or falling into hazardous areas. The core combo system revolves around chaining basic attacks—light (quick jabs), medium (mid-range strikes), and heavy (powerful blows)—into extended sequences for escalating damage. Players cancel these strings into special moves, executed via directional inputs combined with attack buttons, such as quarter-circle motions for projectiles or grapples, enabling seamless transitions that maintain offensive pressure. Super moves, the game's cinematic finishers, activate when the Super Meter reaches four bars by pressing both shoulder buttons simultaneously, delivering high-damage animations unique to each character, like Superman's heat vision barrage. Environmental attacks integrate into combos by using arena elements mid-fight, such as slamming foes into walls for bonus hits, adding strategic depth to positioning. Meter management is central, with the four-bar Super Meter building through successful attacks and blocks; it fuels enhanced abilities like meter burns, which amplify special moves for stuns or extended range, and escape options such as rolls or air bursts to break combos. The system provides a mid-combo interruption , available once per match after the opponent's drops below the second bar, allowing the defender to wager Super Meter bars against the attacker in a high-stakes gamble. To initiate, the defender holds forward toward the attacker while pressing the meter burn button, prompting both players to secretly select meter portions; the higher wager wins, potentially restoring to the defender or amplifying the attacker's , while a tie results in a neutral reset. This hybrid combat blends 2D plane restrictions with 3D visual flair, such as dynamic camera angles during transitions, emphasizing precise timing. basics, displayed in the character's move list, quantify attack properties at 60 per second: startup (time to activate, e.g., 6-9 for basic jabs), active (hit window), recovery (vulnerability period), and advantage (post-hit or block edges, like +10 for follow-ups). Input commands vary by character but follow standard conventions, such as down-back for blocks or half-circle forward for anti-airs, with gear customization subtly altering move properties like speed or without overhauling core inputs.

Gear and Progression Systems

Injustice 2 introduces an RPG-inspired gear system that allows players to collect and equip loot items obtained from matches, single-player modes, or Mother Boxes—randomized loot crates purchasable with in-game credits. Each character begins with five default gear slots (head, torso, arms, legs, and a character-specific weapon or item), which can be upgraded with rarer pieces in normal (gray), rare (blue), or epic (gold) tiers to boost base stats such as strength, defense, health, and ability cooldowns. These items not only enhance numerical performance but also alter appearances through modular armor pieces inspired by DC Comics lore, unlock new special moves or voice lines, and apply augments for effects like increased damage or visual particle changes. Additionally, shaders—collectible color palette modifiers—enable further visual customization by recoloring entire outfits or specific elements, creating unique hybrid looks without affecting stats. Progression revolves around leveling individual characters through XP earned in battles, with a base cap of level 20 that increases base stats progressively; the Legendary Edition update raised this to level 30, introducing new high-level augments and gear tiers for all players. While there are no traditional talent trees, players customize playstyles via gear loadouts that swap abilities (e.g., extending Batman's range with a full set bonus) and save multiple profiles for different strategies. Key currencies include credits, earned from selling duplicate gear or completing modes, used to buy Mother Boxes for more loot; and premium Source Crystals, purchasable with real money or earned slowly through play, which instantly max out character levels but do not provide stat advantages in competitive matches. To maintain balance, lower-level characters receive automatic base stat scaling against higher-level opponents, and gear stat boosts can be fully disabled in ranked online play, ensuring skill-based competition. The mode serves as the primary hub for ongoing progression, featuring asynchronous battles against AI-controlled versions of other players' customized characters across rotating planetary challenges. It includes daily and weekly objectives—such as surviving multiple fights or using specific gear setups—that reward XP, credits, Mother Boxes, and exclusive epic gear upon completion, with event-based variants tied to DLC characters or themes for limited-time bonuses. This structure encourages repeated engagement, as missions often require leveled characters and geared loadouts, blending solo grinding with community-driven content without direct player-versus-player interaction.

Story and Characters

Plot Summary

Set five years after the events of Injustice: Gods Among Us, the story of Injustice 2 unfolds in a world where is imprisoned in a red-sun energy cell at Stryker's Island following his defeat by Batman and the remnants of the , while Batman leads a global regime to maintain peace through surveillance and control. Brainiac, the alien collector of worlds, invades Earth, beginning with the destruction of Krypton's remnant city , where escapes her doomed homeworld just before it is digitized and bottled by Brainiac's forces. The narrative opens in at , where Batman, Nightwing, and Robin assault the facility to stop a breakout orchestrated by and Poison Ivy amid the chaos of Brainiac's skull ships appearing worldwide. Batman defeats and , loyalists to the imprisoned , before subduing Superman temporarily with a red solar grenade, highlighting ongoing tensions within the hero community. Meanwhile, , thwart Scarecrow's fear toxin plot in Slaughter Swamp, overcoming Poison Ivy and , only to be captured by , who reveals his formation of the Society—a villainous aiming to exploit Brainiac's for conquest. As Brainiac's Betas—robotic drones—ravage cities like and Central City, the Flash races to repel and , allying with to warn Batman of the escalating threat. travels to to enlist , battling and resisting the Red Lantern Atrocitus's corrupting influence, while and defend Stryker's Island from Wonder Woman's Regime forces attempting to free . Batman reluctantly releases from captivity to combat Brainiac, introducing , who arrives on Earth seeking her cousin Kal-El and initially joins the Regime but grows wary of its authoritarian remnants. Major spoilers follow. Infiltrating the , , , and Harley restore the Brother Eye satellite for global coordination against Brainiac's 48-hour to digitize Earth's cities. and clash with Society members like and in a ruined , where confronts at the over his past tyranny, leading to a rift as she sides with Batman. and assault Kahndaq to seize the Rock of Eternity's power from Grodd, disabling Brainiac's planetary shields and allowing a counteroffensive. The climax occurs aboard Brainiac's ship, where Superman defeats the villain but absorbs his ship and collected cities, including a preserved Gotham and , into his collection as a twisted act of preservation. A final confrontation between and Batman determines the outcome: in one ending, Superman brainwashes Batman with a control chip and imprisons , vowing to rebuild a empire on Earth; in the other, Batman defeats Superman, exiles him to the Phantom Zone, and reforms the with Supergirl as a beacon of hope. The story explores themes of tyranny versus justice, redemption through unlikely alliances, and the fragility of reality amid multiversal threats posed by Brainiac's world-shrinking technology.

Roster and Character Details

Injustice 2 features a base roster of 28 playable characters, blending 13 returning fighters from the original Injustice with 15 new additions drawn from DC Comics lore. Returning characters include , Bane, Batman, , , , The Flash, , , , The Joker, , and , each retaining core elements of their previous movesets while incorporating environmental interactions and combo extensions unique to the sequel's engine. New characters debuting in the series encompass , , , Brainiac, (making his fighting game premiere), , , , , , , Robin (as ), , , and , with movesets emphasizing their signature abilities such as 's trident summons or Brainiac's technological drones. Voice acting enhances character authenticity, with notable performances including Kevin Conroy reprising Batman, George Newbern as Superman, Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman, Taliesin Jaffe as The Flash, and Phil LaMarr as Aquaman. Additional casting features Vanessa Marshall as Black Canary, Laura Bailey as Supergirl, Steve Blum as Green Lantern, and Grey DeLisle as Catwoman, among others like Robert Englund as Scarecrow and Ike Amadi as Atrocitus. Character designs were refined from the first game, adopting more comic-accurate proportions, dynamic animations, and higher-fidelity textures enabled by the updated Unreal Engine 3, resulting in less exaggerated physiques and greater emphasis on fabric details and facial expressions for returning fighters like Batman and Harley Quinn. The roster expanded through three downloadable Fighter Packs, adding nine more playable characters for a total of 37 with the pre-order bonus , plus the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover. Fighter Pack 1 introduced Red Hood (voiced by ), Starfire (voiced by ), and Sub-Zero (voiced by ). Fighter Pack 2 added (voiced by , marking his playable debut), Raiden (voiced by ), and (voiced by an uncredited actor based on Mike Mignola's creation). Fighter Pack 3 brought Atom (voiced by ), Enchantress (voiced by , debuting as a playable fighter), and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Leonardo, , , and , voiced by Corey Krueger, Ryan Cooper, Joe Brogie, and Ben Rausch respectively, functioning as a single selectable fighter with team-based moves). Beyond playable fighters, the story mode incorporates non-playable characters in NPC roles, such as Brainiac and as central antagonists encountered in narrative sequences, alongside cameos from figures like and members of Squad to enrich the setting without full playability. These elements highlight how the game's character integration draws from broader comic inspirations while prioritizing balanced, lore-driven combat variety.

Development

Concept and Announcement

The development of Injustice 2 stemmed from the commercial and critical success of its predecessor, Injustice: Gods Among Us, which sold millions of copies and established a strong fanbase for DC Comics-themed fighting games. NetherRealm Studios sought to build on this foundation by continuing the narrative in an alternate set five years after the fall of Superman's authoritarian regime from the first game, allowing for deeper exploration of hero-villain conflicts without disrupting mainline DC continuity. Creative director highlighted the use of DC's concept as a key inspirational element, enabling expansive storytelling and character interactions that "doesn't break the DC lore." Early concepts emphasized enhanced player engagement through customization, drawing from modern multiplayer trends like loot systems in games such as Destiny, to address fan desires for personalization beyond the original's roster and modes. Boon noted that feedback from the first game's community influenced the decision to expand the representation, incorporating a larger roster with more obscure characters alongside staples like Batman and , while teasing potential guest crossovers via polls to gauge interest in figures like , , and even non-DC options such as from . This approach aimed to evolve the formula, with Boon stating the sequel would introduce "new features that will change the way fans play fighting games," particularly through gear that alters abilities and appearances. The game was first teased by Boon on in early 2016, building anticipation ahead of E3. It received its official announcement on June 8, 2016, accompanied by a cinematic trailer depicting the escalating war between Batman's resistance and Superman's forces, which introduced the gear system via scenes of characters equipping armor and weapons. A gameplay trailer followed on June 11, 2016, showcasing combatants including , , , and , and confirming a bigger roster than the original. At 2016 in August, NetherRealm revealed additional characters and in a dedicated trailer, further illustrating the customization options and combat depth.

Production and Design

Development of Injustice 2 began at shortly after the release of in April 2015, spanning approximately two years under the leadership of creative director . The studio, based in , handled the core production, focusing on enhancing the formula with RPG elements while maintaining competitive integrity. The game was built using a customized version of Unreal Engine 3, the same engine powering Mortal Kombat X, which allowed for high-fidelity graphics and fluid combat animations. NetherRealm employed in-house motion capture technology for character animations, including a custom photogrammetry facial scanner with 44 DSLR cameras to capture detailed expressions for the roster. This process involved head-mounted cameras tailored to actors' features and manual tweaks to sync with voice performances, ensuring realistic portrayals of DC icons. Throughout development, NetherRealm collaborated closely with DC Comics, sharing game builds for feedback on character designs, abilities, and lore accuracy, treating the partnership as a collaborative creative process rather than a standard licensing arrangement. Key design innovations included the gear system, which introduced loot-based customization with over 1,000 equippable items per character category, allowing players to modify stats and unlock special moves for personalization. The story mode was expanded to 12 chapters, weaving a narrative across multiple perspectives in the . Balancing the initial roster of 28 base characters proved challenging, as developers drew from comic sources to differentiate archetypes—like gadget-focused Batman versus agile Robin—while iterating on movesets for diversity and fairness. Integrating RPG progression like the gear system without disrupting competitive play presented significant hurdles; to address this, NetherRealm implemented a mode that disabled gear effects for equitable matches. Voice acting added another layer of complexity, with renowned DC talents such as reprising his role as Batman, requiring precise synchronization of performances with animations and story beats to capture the emotional depth of the regime's fallout.

Release

Console and PC Versions

Injustice 2 was released for and on May 16, 2017, in , with the Microsoft Windows version following on November 14, 2017. The game was published by Interactive Entertainment across all platforms, handling both physical and digital distribution through partnerships with and . The title launched in multiple editions to cater to different player preferences, including the Standard Edition priced at $59.99, the Digital Deluxe Edition at $79.99, and the Ultimate Edition at $99.99 , with regional pricing variations such as higher costs in due to VAT. The Standard Edition provided the base game, while the Deluxe Edition added three downloadable fighters, a premiere skin for , and a Defender for gear customization. The Ultimate Edition expanded on this with nine DLC fighters across three packs, two exclusive shaders (Destroyer and Defender), and additional premiere skins for The Flash and . Physical copies were distributed via retailers like and Amazon, while digital versions were available directly through the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and . Pre-order incentives encouraged early purchases, with all editions granting access to as a playable character upon release, along with exclusive gear sets inspired by the villain. Higher-tier editions included premiere skins that altered character appearances, voices, and dialogues, such as the Power Girl variant for in the Deluxe Edition. Launch events featured digital pre-downloads starting days before release, allowing players to install the game ahead of time. A day-one patch of approximately 835 MB was required for PlayStation 4 users upon inserting the disc or launching the digital version, addressing initial stability issues and minor bug fixes without major balance changes. The game received an ESRB rating of T for Teen, citing alcohol reference, , , suggestive themes, , and use of . File sizes varied by platform: around 27 GB for the base install on and , plus the day-one patch, and up to 60 GB on PC including required space for updates. Digital downloads mandated a stable connection for initial setup and ongoing online features like multiplayer .

Mobile Version

The mobile version of Injustice 2 was released on May 11, 2017, for and Android devices as a title featuring in-app purchases for resources, characters, and cosmetics. Developed by and published by Interactive Entertainment, it streamlines the core fighting gameplay for touch-based devices while incorporating a campaign mode that parallels the console story's plot of Brainiac's invasion and the ongoing conflict between Batman and . Adapted for mobile, the game uses simplified touch controls including taps for basic attacks, swipes for directional moves like dashes and low strikes, and dedicated buttons for blocking, specials, and super moves, enabling fluid 3v3 battles without complex button-mashing. Players assemble teams from a DC roster starting with about 16 characters at launch—such as Batman, , and The Flash—fewer than the console's initial lineup, with progression centered on a card collection system where hero shards are gathered to unlock, level, and promote fighters, altering class advantages and passives rather than relying solely on gear customization. Distinct mobile elements include asynchronous multiplayer in mode, where users pit their teams against AI-simulated opponents from other players to earn rewards and rankings without real-time . Daily challenges and limited-time events offer gems, shards, and gear through objectives like completing specific battles or missions, fostering consistent engagement. Post-launch updates integrated select downloadable characters from the console version, such as Sub-Zero and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, gradually expanding the roster to over 50 fighters. By September 2018, the Android version alone had exceeded 10 million downloads, reflecting strong initial adoption. As of early 2026, following the release of Update 6.6 on December 15, 2025, shards for new and featured Legendary heroes are obtained primarily through: the Injustice Pass, where players complete objectives in Premium and Premium+ tiers to unlock heroes such as Lex Luthor and Batman Ninja Gorilla Grodd; Legendary Arena Invasions, by winning battles against featured Legendary heroes to earn their shards; Solo Raids, by collecting Vault Keys from completing difficulties to open Vaults containing boss hero shards, with featured raids providing extra shards on Heroic 7 difficulty (such as 25 additional shards for the main boss); and limited-time events, including login calendars (for example, DC Universe Lex Luthor available for free from December 15 to 23, 2025) and other challenges. General hero shards also continue to be available from chests, operations, objectives, leagues, and shard exchanges.

Downloadable Content

Injustice 2 received extensive post-launch support through , primarily in the form of three Fighter Packs that added nine new playable characters, along with premiere skins and gear customization options. These packs were released staggered over and , expanding the roster with a mix of DC Comics characters and crossovers from other franchises. Each pack was priced at $19.99 individually and included for the new fighters, integrating them into the game's mode with unique story branches and interactions. Fighter Pack 1, launched in June 2017, introduced Red Hood on June 13, followed by Sub-Zero on July 11 (early access for season pass holders, general release July 18), and Starfire on August 8. Red Hood, voiced by Cameron Bowen, brought anti-hero gunplay and gadgets inspired by his comic origins, while Sub-Zero, a crossover from voiced by Jim Miller, utilized cryomancy moves like his classic ice clone. Starfire, voiced by , featured Tamaranean energy blasts and flight mechanics drawn from lore. The pack also included the Power Girl premiere skin for . Fighter Pack 2 arrived in September 2017, starting with on September 12, Raiden on October 3, and on November 14. , voiced by , employed aquatic weaponry and optic blasts reflecting his nemesis role. Raiden, another guest voiced by , incorporated lightning-based teleportation and summons. , the first non-DC crossover from and voiced by Bruce Barker, wielded his oversized and revolver in supernatural brawls. This pack added the premiere skin for The Flash. Fighter Pack 3 concluded the series in December 2017, with The Atom debuting December 12, Enchantress on January 16, 2018, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (as a single slot with selectable variants: Leonardo, , , ) on March 20, 2018. The Atom, voiced by , shrank for microscopic attacks and size manipulation. Enchantress, voiced by , channeled magical illusions and soul-self summons from her DC and depictions. The TMNT, a Nickelodeon-licensed crossover voiced by their animated cast, offered tag-team shell-based combos and weapon variety. The pack included the John Stewart premiere skin. Beyond the packs, was released as a standalone DLC character on October 3, 2017, for $9.99, featuring his Omega Beams and Apokoliptian strength, voiced by ; it was available free to pre-order buyers. Free updates supplemented the DLC, including a July 2017 balance patch adjusting 14 characters' movesets for competitive play, and a December 2017 update adding two new arenas—Gotham City and The Very Last Place on Earth—plus Legendary Multiverse nodes for Joker and . Subsequent patches in 2018 addressed further balance and bug fixes without new characters. Access to the Fighter Packs was facilitated through the $39.99 Ultimate Pack (also called the Season Pass upgrade), which granted early access to characters (one week before general release) and bundled all nine fighters plus additional skins and shaders like Gods and Demons packs. The Ultimate Edition, priced at $99.99, combined the base game with this content. In total, these expansions added over 10 characters (including ), enhancing customization with unique gear lines and story integrations across modes.

Legendary Edition

The Injustice 2: Legendary Edition is a comprehensive re-release of the that bundles the base content with all prior downloadable expansions, targeting new players following the completion of the original DLC cycle. Launched on March 27, 2018, for , , and Windows PC (with a European release on March 30), it incorporates the full roster of 10 additional DLC characters—such as , Red Hood, Starfire, Sub-Zero, , Raiden, , The Atom, Enchantress, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—alongside 5 premiere skins, including those for and the TMNT. Beyond compiling all fighter packs and related content, the edition introduces several enhancements to improve accessibility and progression. A new Learn Hub tutorial mode provides an expanded guide for newcomers, covering and strategies in greater depth. The level cap for character progression has been raised to 30, allowing for more extensive customization through new shaders and gear sets that offer additional visual and performance options. These updates build on the core mode without altering its fundamental structure. Priced at $60 for both retail and digital versions, the Legendary Edition serves as an all-in-one package, making over $100 worth of prior content available at a bundled rate to attract late adopters. It requires over 50 GB of storage space across platforms, reflecting the inclusion of extensive assets from the base game and DLC. Unlike the console and PC versions, no equivalent mobile edition exists, as the companion Injustice 2 Mobile app operates as a separate title with its own progression system.

Reception

Critical Response

Injustice 2 received generally favorable reviews from critics across platforms. On , the version earned an aggregate score of 87/100 based on 90 critic reviews, the version scored 87/100 from 77 reviews, and the PC version received 80/100 from 22 reviews. Critics widely praised the gear system's innovation, which introduced RPG-style loot and customization options that enhance character progression without fundamentally altering core combat balance in competitive settings. The story mode was lauded for its depth, featuring a cinematic narrative spanning multiple perspectives in the with high-quality and cutscenes that rival interactive movies. The roster's character variety also drew acclaim, with 28 base fighters offering diverse abilities and playstyles that catered to both newcomers and veterans, surpassing the selection in the original . rated the game 9/10, highlighting how it "builds on the first game's foundation with smoother controls and richer single-player content." awarded 9/10, commending the "engrossing story and gear mechanics that add meaningful replayability." Reviewers frequently compared Injustice 2 favorably to its predecessor and to , noting superior visual fidelity, expanded modes, and refined fighting mechanics that elevated it as NetherRealm's strongest entry in the DC fighting series. Criticisms focused on balance issues in competitive play, where certain characters like exhibited exploitable strengths that disrupted fair matchups until post-launch patches. The multiverse mode, intended for ongoing single-player challenges, was faulted for repetitive structure, with similar objectives and AI encounters diminishing long-term engagement. The mobile version faced backlash for its microtransactions, which emphasized premium currency for gear and characters, often making progression feel grindy and unbalanced. , NetherRealm's creative director, acknowledged the acclaim in interviews, emphasizing the team's dedication to the title and stating they were "absolutely committed to supporting Injustice 2" through updates addressing community feedback on balance and content.

Sales and Commercial Performance

Injustice 2 achieved strong launch performance, becoming the top-selling in the United States for May 2017 across all platforms, according to NPD Group data. The title also debuted at number one on the 's multi-platform physical sales chart and held the position for its first two weeks, marking the first time a had topped the rankings in over two years. The game sold approximately 1.5 million copies in its first three months, contributing significantly to Interactive Entertainment's results. It recorded nearly 500,000 digital units on and storefronts during its debut month alone, underscoring robust online sales. Overall, Injustice 2 was the highest-grossing console title in the second quarter of 2017, helping drive a 12% year-over-year revenue increase for Warner Bros.' gaming and home entertainment division to $2.99 billion. The mobile version of Injustice 2, released shortly before the console edition, bolstered the 's commercial success through mechanics and in-app purchases, though specific revenue figures were not publicly detailed by . Long-term sales estimates place the console version at around 1.7 million units globally by late 2017, reflecting sustained performance in a competitive market.

Awards and Recognition

Injustice 2 garnered significant acclaim in the gaming industry, earning several prestigious awards shortly after its 2017 release. At , the game won Best Fighting Game, beating out competitors such as ARMS, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, , and . also named it the Best Fighting Game of 2017 in their annual awards, praising its improved combat mechanics and expansive content over its predecessor. The following year, Injustice 2 continued its success at the 21st Annual , where it secured the of the Year award among nominees including ARMS, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, , and . It also received a for Outstanding Achievement in in that ceremony, recognizing its audio implementation alongside titles like and . Across various other awards shows and publications, the game accumulated numerous nominations in categories such as Best and Best Competitive Multiplayer, reflecting its strong reception in the fighting genre. Beyond formal awards, Injustice 2 received notable recognition through media tie-ins and community initiatives. DC Comics published a dedicated Injustice 2 comic series, expanding the game's narrative universe with stories bridging the events of the first Injustice title and its sequel. further supported the game's ecosystem by introducing Tournament Shaders, special in-game whose purchases directly funded esports events and community tournaments. As a 2017 release, Injustice 2 has not earned major awards in the , consistent with the typical lifecycle of video games.

Legacy

Cultural Impact

Injustice 2's gear , which integrated loot drops providing customizable equipment that alters character stats like health and damage, represented a fusion of RPG progression with mechanics, appealing to a broader beyond traditional competitive players. While gear effects are disabled in ranked online matches and tournaments to preserve balance, the encouraged extended through cosmetic and customization, helping to popularize such loot-based features in the genre for casual engagement. This innovation influenced ' later work, including , which incorporated a similar gear customization system to enhance player personalization and replayability. The game's storyline, exploring a dystopian alternate where Superman's regime persists, heightened interest in narratives by delving into moral conflicts among heroes and villains. This was amplified by the companion comic series, Injustice 2, written by and published from 2017 to 2018, which expanded the game's lore with intricate character arcs, such as Supergirl's integration into the fractured . Regarded as one of the finest Justice League tales, the series offered emotional depth through themes of heroism and sacrifice, drawing in new readers and reinforcing the appeal of non-canonical DC stories. The inclusion of crossover DLC characters like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and broadened the game's reach by attracting fans from those franchises, with the Turtles' pack notably boosting sales during its release and the character's unique moveset praised for fitting seamlessly into the roster. These additions exemplified DC's evolving gaming strategy toward multiverse crossovers, fostering collaborations that extended the universe beyond core DC properties. Injustice 2 quickly established prominence in , debuting at the 2017 with 880 entrants and a $58,800 prize pool, underscoring its competitive viability. The tournament highlighted diverse strategies across characters like Flash and , culminating in Ryan "Dragon" Walker's victory over Tim "HoneyBee" Commandeur in grand finals, and solidified the game's place in professional circuits.

Ongoing Support and Community

Following the release of the Legendary Edition in 2018, provided ongoing for Injustice 2, with patches continuing into 2018 to address bugs and balance adjustments for the bundled content. The absence of cross-play functionality across platforms has been noted as a persistent limitation, hindering broader multiplayer connectivity even in later years. Online servers for console and PC versions remain active as of early 2026, supporting ranked matches and events without a full shutdown, though occasional downtimes occur. The PC modding community has flourished, with tools like I2Hook enabling enhancements such as 60 FPS unlocks and custom super move swaps, keeping the game fresh for enthusiasts. Player engagement persists through competitive tournaments streamed on Twitch, including high-profile events like Poseidon's biweeklies and the Injustice 2 Eternal Battle in 2025, drawing dedicated audiences. Fan-created content, such as theory videos analyzing character metas and shared across platforms, further sustains interest, while the mobile version continues to receive sporadic updates. These include Update 6.6 on December 15, 2025, which introduced new Legendary heroes such as DC Universe Lex Luthor (available for free via a limited-time login calendar from December 15–23, 2025), reworked Solo Raids with a season-based system allowing selection from multiple raids, Vaults unlocked using Vault Keys to obtain boss hero shards (including extra shards on Heroic 7 for featured raids), enhanced Injustice Pass for unlocking Legendary heroes like Batman Ninja Gorilla Grodd through Premium and Premium+ tier objectives, and Legendary Arena Invasions where players earn shards by winning battles against featured Legendary heroes; this was followed by Patch 6.6.1 in January 2026 addressing issues with Solo Raids and Injustice Pass rewards while adding new achievements. General hero shards continue to be obtained through chests, operations, objectives, leagues, and shard exchanges. As of early 2026, active communities, including the official Injustice 2 Mobile server with over 43,000 members, serve as hubs for discussions and league coordination. Amid ' revival of DC titles, such as consultations with NetherRealm on potential new projects, fans have engaged in discussions about a possible Injustice 2 or , reflecting enduring enthusiasm for the franchise.

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  43. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/netherrealms-self-sustaining-culture-of-crunch
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  57. https://gamerant.com/injustice-2-xbox-one-file-size/
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  72. https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP1018-CUSA05462_00-FIGHTERPACK20000
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  74. https://www.cbr.com/injustice-2-ninja-turtles/
  75. https://store.steampowered.com/app/721270/Injustice_2__Darkseid/
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  117. https://discord.com/invite/injustice2mobile
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  119. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqupGsVU21o
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