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INJUSTICE 2
How to make the old tried-and-true structure of the 2D fighting genre still relevant and appealing in today's gaming scene where there's an ever increasing demand for higher immersion? Simple. Turn it into a cinematic experience. Make it like Injustice 2.
Mechanically Netherrealm Studios manages to build a really technical fighting game, probably their best effort eyeing the e-sports scene. Mostly gone are the studio's trademarked goofy fighting stances and Sonic's jumping rolled up like a ball aerial moves. In their place the game presents you with seriously one of best uses of facial animation in a straight action focused game, and faithful representation of each of its characters from their comics as far as I can tell (I'm not an avid comic book reader). With the realistic art direction, it's gearing towards the uncanny valley here that is even a bit creepy (in a good way). Looking at Supergirl's wrinkles as she frowns or Harley Quinn's exaggerated facial expressions make their characters feel incredibly alive and a joy to watch them interact with each other. And more surprisingly, this is all powered by the old Unreal 3 engine (bids me with confidence that Shenmue 3 might have amazing facial animations as well now using Unreal 4, at least on paper).
Content wise this game is a full plate, with a lengthy story campaign and a variety of multiplayer and other single player online modes. They all built these modes towards a loot system akin to Blizzard's Diablo, collecting rare gear and a chance for players to customize their characters with armor parts that modify stats and even add extra move sets in non ranked matches and other single player modes. And all that gear is visually within taste context wise, not betraying their heroes' original sense of style but still enough to make it personal for you.
Regarding the main story campaign, this mode alone is enough to justify the purchase even if you are not a fighting fan, as it's amazingly well done and very satisfying to go through. The focus of the story is on a few characters, but the entire roster (sans the DLC) makes an appearance more than once during the campaign (mostly) and the story makes sure to bring their personalities to life. Even better, there are even snippets of branching paths and player's choice during the story, so you have to play it more than once to see all the outcomes. It's really like a blockbuster DC movie you will never see, as I doubt Hollywood would have the balls to display the heroes in the kind of light the game does. If you are a DC fan, this is a definitely must experience.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 5/5