Set to release later this year, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is Rocksteady Studios' latest entry in its legendary Batman: Arkham franchise. A departure from the typical Arkham fare, the upcoming game's focus on the titular Task Force X signals a full shift into the perspective of DC's villains. Considering Rocksteady’s previous commitment to focusing exclusively on its own Batman mythos, the decision to move on from the adventures of the caped crusader is sure to redefine the franchise as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League emerges into the current generation.
It may be a fresh direction to take the action series, but the vast change in cast has had a mixed effect on the longtime fans of the Arkham games. Coming off of a legacy of games known for their sharp and snappy melee combat that set trends for years to come, the “genre-bending” third-person shooter gameplay of Kill the Justice League hasn’t managed to evoke the same level of passion as past Arkhamverse titles. With concerns over its live service nature and similarities to the controversial Marvel’s Avengers game released in 2020, the first iteration of the Suicide Squad IP in a AAA game could have been set up far more gracefully.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Introduces Too Many New Faces
As its name suggests, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will see players taking on the superheroes that typically fill protagonist roles. Taking control of either Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, or King Shark in the co-op friendly, open world of Metropolis, this title is a far cry from the solo roots of the Batman: Arkham games. This particular cast may have all had some film representation, but Harley Quinn’s modern popularity ultimately far eclipses that of the others. The mixed reception to Kill the Justice League’s reveal becomes far more understandable when considering the loss of star power in the transition from Batman to these characters, with Harley Quinn being the only true DC icon in the playable cast.
Few fans would lament the idea of an entire solo Harley Quinn game, but the same cannot be said for her misfit co-stars. While the likes of Captain Boomerang typically fit well into an ensemble, the intensely focused journeys of Batman in prior games is completely opposed to this sort of design. Harley Quinn could have easily supported her own title leading up into this team game at the very least, but the rest of the cast could have worked better if they became less obscure through by helming their own games before Suicide Squad.
The Justice League Deserves Better than a Supporting Role
As if the villain side of things wasn’t troubling enough, the introduction of characters as major as members of the Justice League as anything but the central heroes in a Rocksteady title is nothing short of a risky move following years of Superman game rumors. Making a brainwashed Justice League into antagonists is not an inherently flawed concept, but heroes like The Flash and Green Lantern could have seriously benefited from at least getting to debut as foes on their own in respective villain-centric titles. Names like Wonder Woman and Superman hold the heaviest weight among the DC fanbase, and each individual titan of comic history would have been more than capable of handling their own spotlight.
Although it may not have the most hype right now, Kill the Justice League’s 10 month delay could end up allowing the game to move the franchise forward after all. Even if it doesn’t achieve the success the studio hopes for, the precedent for its huge increase in scope will be set. While it does continue the Arkhamverse canon and seems to be committed to the actual deaths of its titular fallen heroes, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League could also forecast a brighter future for Rocksteady that expands far into the worlds of heroes beyond Batman.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League releases February 2, 2024 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.