As Rocksteady’s journey with Batman came to a close with 2015’sBatman: Arkham Knight, rumors were aplenty about what the developer would do next. Some predicted aSuperman-centric experience, but the actual project that was revealed turned out to beSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, a game that places the heroes in the antagonist’s role as a band of misfit criminals look to save the world. It’s taking a different design approach, however, which could place more emphasis on wide open levels.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s lengthy trailer at the recent State of Play event showed that traversal is being held in a high regard, and to make it truly shine the space has to be both sizable and diverse. Metropolis has a history that dates back centuries, and unlikeForspokenwhich presented a drab, uninteresting world, Rocksteady’s latest game has the necessary tools to make something great that pays homage to the comics while satisfying new fans.
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Open world games are immensely popular today, and whilegames likeDead SpaceandGuardians of the Galaxyare wielding their linearity to great results, they succeed precisely because they are bucking the trend.Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueis playing it safe by giving players an open-ended playground to explore, and Metropolis' rich history means exploring can be filled with interesting Easter eggs and memorable locations. That setting needs to allow players to be unrestricted, as being shepherded through the city without the freedom to see the sights would ruin the wonderment.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueis adopting a live service-esque format, so longevity is clearly on the mind of the developer. To keep players around the game has to be more than a stellar storytelling experience, it needs to be something that can be enjoyed even when the quest to stop theBrainiac-influenced Justice Leaguehas subsided. A dense space is the best way to achieve this. Superman’s presence in Metropolis is ingrained in its culture with the city’s people rallying around him as the universal sign of safety and a better tomorrow, meaning the Suicide Squad’s seemingly impossible task can maintain a strong player base in a world that feels truly interesting.
Batman: Arkham Was More Claustrophobic by Nature
ThoughBatman: Arkham CityandArkham Knightused open worlds, they were far eclipsed by the likes ofSkyrimandThe Witcher 3that released in corresponding years. They each felt more focused than their contemporaries, which worked for that series because a smaller map meant it felt like Batman could have a bigger impact, as he didn’t get lost within the world’s endless boundaries. Conversely,Batman: Arkham Asylumdeployed a hub-world, with players traveling down tight corridors and small open spaces. An open-world that is truly large in scale is something very different for Rocksteady.
This approach could do well to juxtapose the philosophy of theArkhamgames, and give players more variety with their superhero games. It’s a fresh format for Rocksteady to take advantage of, and the number ofplayable characters like Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, and Deadshot means a larger area is required to house them all and truly allow players to enjoy them.Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueis a hard sell for some with its live service features and online requirements being a significant red flag, but a large open setting always has the potential to impress, and it could be the game’s best feature.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguelaunches on May 26 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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