Tuesday, January 30th 2024
Warner Bros. Games and DC Launch Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Warner Bros. Games and DC today announced Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, a new genre-defying open-world action-shooter, is now available for PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam) as part of the Deluxe Edition. The Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Standard Edition will launch worldwide on Feb. 2.
Developed by Rocksteady Studios, creators of the best-selling Batman: Arkham series, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League combines the studio's signature character-driven storytelling with a seamless fusion of enhanced traversal mechanics and fast-paced, action-packed combat, which can be enjoyed solo or with up to four players via an online cooperative mode.
Featuring an original narrative set in the DC Universe against the backdrop of the vibrant open-world of Metropolis, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League picks up five years after the events of Batman: Arkham Knight as players take on the roles of DC Super-Villains Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark. Restrained with lethal explosives implanted in their heads, the Squad has no choice but to band together as part of Amanda Waller's infamous Task Force X and embark on an impossible mission to defeat the world's greatest DC Super Heroes, the Justice League. With a story deeply rooted in DC lore, players must face off against Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and The Flash, who have all been corrupted by Brainiac, while enlisting the help of various support Squad allies, including Penguin, Poison Ivy, Toyman, Rick Flag, Lex Luthor, and other notable figures.
"With the launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, we are excited to take players on an adventure unlike anything we have ever played or made before at Rocksteady," said Darius Sadeghian, Studio Director, Rocksteady Studios. "I'm so proud of what we've created together: our original story set in the DC Universe, the vibrant open-world of Metropolis, the unique combination of gameplay elements, and our amazing cast of villains - Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark. We are thrilled to have a direct connection with players, which will allow us to continually update the game and keep playing with our community."
The four main playable characters in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League include:
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League takes place in a vast open-world Metropolis comprised of distinct districts that call for different types of gameplay, depending on the mission or activity, while displaying iconic DC landmarks, such as the Daily Planet, LexCorp, Hall of Justice, and others.
The Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Deluxe Edition ($99.99 SRP) is available now for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam) and includes early access to the game beginning today, along with four Classic Outfits, four Justice League Outfits, three Black Mask notorious weapons, four Squad Golds weapon dolls, four No Shade Outfit color swatches, and one token for a post-launch, cosmetics only battle pass. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has cosmetic items available for in-game purchase to customize playable characters. However, all purchasable items are completely optional and do not affect gameplay in any way.
The Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Standard Edition ($69.99 SRP) can be pre-ordered now for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). All pre-orders receive four Classic Outfits. Additionally, PS5 digital pre-orders receive four Rogue Outfits. Please note, all PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions are available physically and digitally; the Steam (PC) version is only available digitally. The Epic Games Store (PC) version will be available on March 5 in digital format only.
After release, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will offer post-launch seasonal content to expand the experience with new playable characters, missions, gear, weapons, in-game events, and more, which owners will be able to enjoy at no extra cost. To keep the adventure going following the main story driven campaign, each season will be themed after a different DC character and incorporate alternate realities created by Brainiac known as Elseworlds. Beginning in March 2024, Season 1 will feature the arrival of The Joker in the form of an Elseworlds twist on the iconic DC Super-Villain. Equipped with a rocket-powered umbrella to frantically launch himself through the air and surf across city rooftops, this alternate universe version of The Joker will be armed with unique combat, traversal abilities, and weaponry to join the fight. For a snapshot of upcoming seasonal content, check out the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Season 1 Roadmap. Later this year, Rocksteady will also be adding an offline story mode to the game giving players the option to experience the main campaign without an internet connection.
Source:
Warner Bros. Games
Developed by Rocksteady Studios, creators of the best-selling Batman: Arkham series, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League combines the studio's signature character-driven storytelling with a seamless fusion of enhanced traversal mechanics and fast-paced, action-packed combat, which can be enjoyed solo or with up to four players via an online cooperative mode.
"With the launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, we are excited to take players on an adventure unlike anything we have ever played or made before at Rocksteady," said Darius Sadeghian, Studio Director, Rocksteady Studios. "I'm so proud of what we've created together: our original story set in the DC Universe, the vibrant open-world of Metropolis, the unique combination of gameplay elements, and our amazing cast of villains - Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark. We are thrilled to have a direct connection with players, which will allow us to continually update the game and keep playing with our community."
The four main playable characters in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League include:
- Harley Quinn, formerly known as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, is the one and only Clown Princess of Crime and the most acrobatic of the crew due to her grapple mechanic that allows her to swing through the city, thanks to gear she's swiped from Batman. Harley Quinn is voiced by Tara Strong.
- Deadshot, also known as Floyd Lawton, is one of the deadliest marksmen in the DC Universe and can hover and snipe from almost anywhere on the battlefield with the use of his jetpack, although he's just as comfortable getting up close and unloading with his wrist cannons. Deadshot is voiced by Bumper Robinson.
- Captain Boomerang, also known as Digger Harkness, is an Australian assassin with an unmatched talent for his namesake weapon and uses a stolen Speed Force Gauntlet to teleport in and out of close-range combat. Captain Boomerang is voiced by Daniel Lapaine.
- King Shark, also known as Nanaue, is a demi-god humanoid shark who hits hard and uses his powerful leaping ability to jump across buildings and take out hordes of enemies. King Shark is voiced by Nuufolau Joel Seanoa, better known by his All-Elite Wrestling (AEW) ring name, Samoa Joe.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League takes place in a vast open-world Metropolis comprised of distinct districts that call for different types of gameplay, depending on the mission or activity, while displaying iconic DC landmarks, such as the Daily Planet, LexCorp, Hall of Justice, and others.
The Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Deluxe Edition ($99.99 SRP) is available now for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam) and includes early access to the game beginning today, along with four Classic Outfits, four Justice League Outfits, three Black Mask notorious weapons, four Squad Golds weapon dolls, four No Shade Outfit color swatches, and one token for a post-launch, cosmetics only battle pass. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has cosmetic items available for in-game purchase to customize playable characters. However, all purchasable items are completely optional and do not affect gameplay in any way.
The Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Standard Edition ($69.99 SRP) can be pre-ordered now for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). All pre-orders receive four Classic Outfits. Additionally, PS5 digital pre-orders receive four Rogue Outfits. Please note, all PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions are available physically and digitally; the Steam (PC) version is only available digitally. The Epic Games Store (PC) version will be available on March 5 in digital format only.
After release, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will offer post-launch seasonal content to expand the experience with new playable characters, missions, gear, weapons, in-game events, and more, which owners will be able to enjoy at no extra cost. To keep the adventure going following the main story driven campaign, each season will be themed after a different DC character and incorporate alternate realities created by Brainiac known as Elseworlds. Beginning in March 2024, Season 1 will feature the arrival of The Joker in the form of an Elseworlds twist on the iconic DC Super-Villain. Equipped with a rocket-powered umbrella to frantically launch himself through the air and surf across city rooftops, this alternate universe version of The Joker will be armed with unique combat, traversal abilities, and weaponry to join the fight. For a snapshot of upcoming seasonal content, check out the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Season 1 Roadmap. Later this year, Rocksteady will also be adding an offline story mode to the game giving players the option to experience the main campaign without an internet connection.
25 Comments on Warner Bros. Games and DC Launch Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
It is so incredibly important to me that people realize that RS (and we all) got dealt an incredibly crappy hand IRL, and not to dwell on this aspect of the game. It's not fair to anyone, actually quite hurtful; certainly unproductive.
Being a live-service looter junkie and very-much understanding how their plan *could* go to make content for months to years, I feel that without a doubt the endgame/live service was likely always going to be about either going back in time to save the Justice League, or to reboot characters Crisis-style with new actors in the role (with some that may or may not fall into Gunn's plan for the DCU; that being the new IRL actors as voice actors).
I know that in the era we live some people desperately want to run with the salacious narrative that this was how they ended Mr Conroy's batman and it's distasteful, but I think you all know in your soul that was not their intention.
If it was intended to be a way to pass the torch, certainly it was not the intention to be his curtain call...just another gig.
I have no idea if he was/is planned to come back (through stuff that was made long ago to be released later, just like the base game) or if they always planned to eventually reboot with a new voice actor (and/or instead they now have no choice). The point is, please don't contribute to those that conflate this part of the story with Kevin's passing or how it ended his tenure, especially without complete context (which would absolutely ruin whatever they are attempting to accomplish through the complete story of this game told perhaps over a year or more).
It's not fair to those at RS. It's not fair to this game (which I respect if you think is for you or not) and it's (potential) audience. It's not fair to Kevin's legacy. Celebrate him for all he contributed, not this one heartbreaking coincidence.
I have a feeling I'm going to learn a lot about who I need to block across all networking platforms over the next few days. Please don't be one of them. Not just for me, but for those this affects on a deeper/more personal level.
Like I said, I absolutely respect if you don't like the game structure or it's narrative, but please, don't be a dick about this very specific detail in which there was no way they could have known.
Everyone on Twitch is watching the game, no one is buying it.
While I'm not in any way affiliated with them nor can I predict the future, I have to believe at some point the goal (of the live-service/DLC) would be to reverse (or replace) dispatching them. Very much a comic trope. From the moment this was announced I said to some people "and the sequel/paid DLC will be called 'TSS Save The Justice League'".
(If again this is too much of a spoiler, delete this post as well): In my head canon the plan was probably for BM to come back and for his final scene (in which he leaves the story [and ending KC's, if not the Arkhamverse portrayal] alive) was to be a quip...Paying off that line. THAT'S how these things typically work...Playing the long game and flipping things on their head while paying off something from earlier. It may or may not happen, but most likely not (unless it was recorded long-ago) with KC, which is unfortunate.
This game is going to flop hard. Pretty sure Rocksteady staff is already sitting on packed bags.
Vote with your wallet folks, don't buy it, and more importantly, don't poison your mind with it, though it might not be the latest new thing, stick with the old, for your sanity and that of your children.
My questions about continuity aside (given the true ending of AK), the idea that Batman would ultimately be killed by 2 b-list and 2 d-list villians is kinda ridiculous, especially when we've seen what Batman can do in the Arkham games.
The voice acting was terrible, the dialogue was terrible, the staging was terrible, just comes off as... lazy I guess?
It has been sitting in my cart for several days, seriously planned on getting in early but no...I haven't bought it yet. I will at some point. That might be in a day or two, it might be in a month or (when the first price cut happens). I haven't decided as I have other stuff going on my life right now that takes presedence.
I like looters (both of which Destiny/Division are in a slow period); the repetition doesn't bother me (I actually enjoy leveling-up and doing things again quicker/harder and more-importantly helping other people; that was the main draw of Destiny for me which was helping newbies with exotics quests/harder content and the like), and I like the idea of playing in squads in a non-hectic environment while anticipating gear/material drops. I am very much the guy many people (whom don't play these games) make fun of, so I get it if it's not your jam and you think that's weird. It truly might be an Aspergers thing...I don't know.
That said, I do not have the attachment that some do to the Arkhamverse, and I do find the characters grating and mostly uninteresting. The only thing that truly impressed me was some of HQ's motion cap, which I thought captured some nuances very well. I hope there is more of that. I could use less of the (implied line from Joker) "If you're going to suck me off, at least buy me dinner first". That's not my style at all.
I truly don't have any skin in the game, nor will I be an apologist for it when I do buy it. I basically just want something to do in the genre (with updated content over time), and this is what's available. If nothing else, I was hoping to gleam what others' have enjoyed about these games over the years. I only played Arkham City, and I bounced off of it pretty quick. That's not to say it wasn't a well-made game, it just wasn't for me.
The main point I was trying to make is that RS worked for at least 7 years on this game to make (at least) a year of content (which might be similar to two games worth of content in the end). I would hate for all their work to be boiled down to one instance in the story people don't like (in part due to the instance with KC), likely planned to be reversed later, and that be a failure for them because of how some people will sensationalize and twist that narrative without understanding this will likely change (as much as they can). I don't think that's fair, as that's why live-service games are. They get better (because in the early release they have to worry about power-creep, etc), so things are often pretty bland (think the initial Red War in D2). I think a lot of people playing this game HAVEN'T stayed with a live service before and may not understand the important and measuring of that.
If you/others don't like the gameplay/story/whatever, especially from those that played the earlier linear BM-focused games, I absolutely respect that.
I'm not trying to argue nor defend, just inject a little bit of the human element (7 years of 200+ peoples' lives for which day 1 will not tell-all) in a world where literally ONE MOMENT (taken to extreme by people whom want to get youtube/twitch clicks) could literally make that all for naught. It doesn't appear fair to me. It's part of a disgusting trend of which everyone appears hellbent to destroy each other (or their credibility) for the sake of making money on a controversy that really isn't (outside the KC sitch, which nobody can fix due to his untimely passing).
Like I said, not liking something because it is bad and/or it doesn't jive with you is respectable. Twisting the facts in a senasationalist way (for a certain particular situation that may change) to monetarily gain is disgusting. It's just like the people whom channels are built on cancel-culture. Hooray! They made thousands of dollars on a video. Meanwhile, the people whom they targeted (which may very-well be good people that did mostly good/enjoyable things for people') lives are ruined. I think there is WAY too much of that, and it's disgusting.
Think of Pal World. Do you know how long and through how much BS I had to wade through to get to people actually talking/showing off the game? WAY TOO MUCH.
Most people wanted to bitch and moan about an off-handed remark the creator said about AI, which wasn't even that controversial if you understand how games are made.
Those videos did very well, but helped the industry absolutely none. Frankly, I'm just sick of that methodology from social media. It's not constructive, and is in-fact destructive...ntm depressing.
It doesn't need to be that way.Everything I write is my own based upon spending way too much time researching gaming/hardware news.
The audio for that scene leaked because someone datamined the closed beta a while back and it was in there.
I mean, it’s good that they are actually planning on doing that at all, but why in the hell is it not a feature right from release? I don’t really care about the game itself since it looks about as banal, bland and boring as expected and I have no interest in supporting publishers fascination with “live service” model, but if you are going to give players an offline option you should do it from the start. End of story.
I do realize that the idea here is probably to get people on the online grind and sell them micro transactions so that by the time the option is there they are either already hooked into the ecosystem, or the game is dead AF and nobody would care either way. The second is more likely. I’d give this thing a month before nobody remembers it.
Visually the game is good but everything else is not great. Loot'n'shoot garbage. Missing animation frames in movements, bad looking movement like jumps. Bad writing that makes everyone seem like an idiot, especially the writers. The UI is annoying. The game holding your hand constantly is incredibly annoying. Reskinned enemies for DLC content.
The biggest headsmacker is that according to the DLC roadmap, the Justice League comes back. Insert "Somehow, Justice League returned".
It's simple don't want to see any spoilers on topic x, then don't go into forum or discussion about topic x. Is that too hard an ask?
Stop the bickering/arguing.
If you cannot discuss the topic... don't post.
By all metrics, she should be a cash cow of a character. Reasonably iconic, with all the right fashion nips and attitude tucks to be on a zoomer's radar - whether in an animated show or in a fortnite promotion - but she never seems to attract the big bucks.
From Bird of Prey movies to Gotham Knights to now KTJJ, she's in everything and it doesn't seem to matter. I almost empathize with DC.
Almost.
Otherwise, this game looks to have been created for "modern gamers", which I think don't think is intended to include me.
He also points out that the writing of the game got ruined by a consulting company called "Sweet Baby Inc.". Straight from their website "Founded in 2018, Sweet Baby Inc. is a narrative development and consultation studio based in Montreal and working around the globe. Our mission is to tell better, more empathetic stories while diversifying and enriching the video games industry. We aim to make games more engaging, more fun, more meaningful, and more inclusive, for everyone." Here we go again, w**e agenda conditioning. Also take a look at their clients list.
If you wanna dig deeper into the topic, he made also a separate video: How Video Games... "WENT W**E"Well, they for sure won't release sale numbers, but judging by the Steam player numbers the game is a colossal failure. :D Especially for a "Live Service Game".