Genre: Fighting | Developer: NetherRealm Studios | Release Date: 2017
Published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and was released for Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The story follows Batman and his insurgency as they attempt to rebuild the world after the fall of Superman's regime but must contend with a group of supervillains called "The Society".
Campaign
Injustice 2's campaign is a polished, narrative-driven experience that smartly expands upon the events of its predecessor, Injustice: Gods Among Us. Split across multiple chapters, the campaign moves players between characters as the story unfolds, offering a rich look at DC's morally complex heroes and villains. The primary narrative centers on Batman’s efforts to rebuild society following Superman’s fall, only to face new threats in the form of Brainiac and a villainous collective known as The Society. This dynamic forces Batman to consider the unthinkable—freeing the very tyrant he once imprisoned.
This morally charged storyline adds depth to the otherwise standard fighting game framework, and several scenes truly resonate, especially those involving Supergirl and her conflicting loyalties. The campaign does a great job of exploring these moral conflicts, particularly between Batman’s pragmatism and Superman’s authoritarian resolve. The option to choose between two characters in certain chapters also adds a layer of player agency, even though the mini-games from the first installment are sorely missed.
While the campaign is mostly linear, the well-crafted cinematics, combined with excellent voice acting and character performances, carry it through. Some character inclusions are questionable (Scarecrow and Swamp Thing feel out of place tonally), but they’re minor detractions in an otherwise strong and engaging narrative. Clocking in at a respectable length with multiple endings and well-executed plot beats, the campaign offers a robust single-player experience that’s rare in modern fighting games.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Gameplay
Injustice 2 delivers a strong gameplay experience rooted in its traditional 2.5D fighting mechanics, while also experimenting with new systems to deepen the formula. At its core, combat remains satisfying and responsive—each character controls uniquely, using a mix of light, medium, and heavy attacks, along with personalized special abilities. The return of interactive stages and cinematic stage transitions brings a satisfying cinematic flair to each bout, enhancing the already energetic match flow. Veteran players will appreciate the depth of the combo system, which allows for fluid stringing of attacks and use of super moves to devastate opponents.
One of the most touted new features is the Gear System, which serves as both an aesthetic and mechanical progression loop. Players earn gear and costume pieces through victories and random Mother Box rewards, which alter stats like strength, defense, health, and ability. With five customizable loadouts per character, players can experiment with various setups to match their preferences. It’s an addictive system—part dress-up, part min-max strategy—and it makes each character feel like your own. The downside? Microtransactions linger in the background. While nothing is locked behind a paywall, the temptation to speed up progression through real-world purchases is a persistent shadow.
The Multiverse Mode is a standout in terms of replay value, acting as Injustice 2’s answer to Mortal Kombat’s Challenge Tower. Players jump between alternate Earths, each with its own modifiers, restrictions, and themed opponents. While the concept is solid and the challenges can range from quirky to genuinely tough, it does wear thin over time. Many battles begin to feel repetitive, and outside of gear rewards or daily objectives, there's little incentive to stay invested long-term. Unlike the first game, which featured fun interactive mini-games in the story, Injustice 2 lacks anything outside the core fighting mechanics to break up the experience. It's strictly combat, and that can grow stale for some players.
Another point of contention is that Multiverse Mode requires an internet connection, which feels unnecessary and intrusive. These modifiers—such as slippery floors, reversed controls, or projectile spam—could have easily been handled offline. There's no clear justification for tying this mode to online connectivity, especially when many of the challenges are solo-based. It restricts access to core content if servers go down or players lose connection, which is frustrating considering how central the Multiverse is to long-term play.
Still, Injustice 2 excels in its core gameplay loop and provides a great deal of customization and content. But for players seeking more varied game types or non-combat diversions like in the original, this sequel may feel a little one-dimensional at times.
Rating: 4 out of 5
From a production standpoint, Injustice 2 is top-tier. Visually, the game shines with some of the most stunning cinematics in any fighting game. The attention to detail in facial animations—particularly in emotional scenes involving Supergirl or Superman—is fantastic, and the game transitions seamlessly from cinematic to combat. Character models are highly detailed and diverse, although not all designs hit the mark (Black Adam and Damian Wayne’s designs are a bit questionable).
The levels are beautifully rendered with dynamic elements and transitions that give the world an alive, ever-shifting energy. Whether it’s Atlantis, Metropolis, or the Red Sun Prison, every arena feels like a part of the DC Universe brought to life with love and care. The soundtrack elevates the mood throughout, with music that ranges from grand and heroic to dark and ominous, matching the story's emotional beats and action perfectly.
The voice cast delivers across the board. George Newbern returns as Superman with gravitas, Laura Bailey’s Supergirl is endearing and conflicted, and Jeffrey Combs as Brainiac gives the villain a chilling edge. Other standout performances include Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman and Tara Strong as Harley Quinn, who brings her trademark chaotic energy. Sound design across the board—from brutal punches to explosive special moves—adds weight and immersion to each encounter.
Outside the main story, production values stay strong with excellent UI design, snappy menus, and high-quality effects in both offline and online play. The only letdown is the repetitive cinematics tied to gear unlocks, which can become tedious over time.
Rating: 5 out of 5
In the end, Injustice 2 builds upon its predecessor with deeper customization, a gripping story, stunning visuals, and endlessly rewarding gameplay systems. While the microtransactions and some uneven design choices slightly tarnish the experience, the game remains one of the best fighting games of its generation. Injustice 2 earns a solid 5 out of 5.
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