After releasing two Mortal Kombat games consecutively, NetherRealm Studios is expected to return to its other major fighting game franchise with Injustice 3. While the DC-based fighting game series has always delivered on its license's potential for engaging combat with impressive super moves, it has never fully embraced the more mature elements of its own unique narrative directly within gameplay. With the developer's long history of crafting prolific violent spectacle in the MK series, Injustice 3 might be the perfect pivot point for heading into a darker tone through the incorporation of full-fledged Fatalities.
While NetherRealm has long maintained its reputation for blood-soaked visuals in its fighting games, Injustice has always remained tame due to DC's apparent desire to protect the image of its superhero properties. Over the years since the first Injustice entry, however, several animated films, alongside the general rise of more R-rated superhero media, has largely shifted the overall public perception of such violence in this context.
Injustice's Lack of Fatalities Has Never Complemented Its Darker Themes
An Emphasis on Spectacle Alone in Super Moves Can Undermine Battles
Decisive super moves have always been key to Injustice's visual spectacle, as they demonstrate the dramatic scale of the abilities of its roster. However, after an epic scene of Superman flinging an opponent into the atmosphere, or The Flash racing around the entire planet, the return to traditional combat can feel anticlimactic. The absence of finality after such intense sequences can leave the conclusions to Injustice matches feeling less satisfying than those of Mortal Kombat with its iconic Fatalities, and previously exploring a similar system didn't pan out well for NRS.
NetherRealm Has Distanced Itself From the Poor Reception to Heroic Brutalities
When Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe introduced Heroic Brutalities as toned-down Fatalities made to compromise with the game's lower age rating, they were met with some of the series' biggest criticism. These moves essentially betrayed the essence of the shock value that MK's traditional finishers bring to the table, often amounting to similar shows of power without the appropriate level of consequence in terms of gore. It's not entirely surprising that the DC brand's best interests weren't in representing its characters suffering fates like being dismembered, but there has been a change in pop culture in the years since.
The Case for an M-Rated Injustice 3
Dark Superhero Depictions Have Become Mainstream
When the original Injustice: Gods Among Us was released, its darker portrayal of DC heroes was relatively groundbreaking. Since then, not only have audiences been exposed to more mature stories in the genre, like The Boys and Invincible, but these very IPs have even directly appeared as Mortal Kombat fighters. The popularity around these inclusions demonstrates the eagerness of players to see their favorite superheroes in more gritty and realistic scenarios, a shift that Injustice 3's potential series reset is in a prime position to join in on. By at least allowing its fighters to be able to properly end their opponents in more visceral ways, NRS' next game can capture the best of both of its biggest IPs.
Letting the Ridiculous Power Levels of DC Characters Truly Shine
While the series features many powerful characters, some with arguable god-like status, Injustice's super moves can sometimes feel like they don't reflect the full strength of the DC universe. Examples like Homelander's "Winging It" Fatality in Mortal Kombat 1 have now provided a taste of what the devastation of a superhero-based finisher can bring, and it could be disappointing if NRS returns to a non-lethal approach after that innovation. Even if just Brutalities make it into Injustice 3, letting them embody their full violent impact would only serve to bring the series closer to its premise.
Mortal Kombat 1
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 19, 2023
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- NetherRealm Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Brothers Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you'll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you've never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
- Franchise
- Mortal Kombat
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
- How Long To Beat
- 7 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
