Is this new fighting game worthy of the DC Comics characters it features?

Apr 3, 2013 08:16 GMT  ·  By

After successfully reviving the Mortal Kombat franchise back in 2011, developer NetherRealm is now trying its hand within the DC Comics universe with Injustice: Gods Among Us.

In the new title, some of the most famous and infamous characters from the popular comic book company are fighting it out to prove their superiority while advancing through a pretty intriguing plot that embroils the DC universe in a civil war.

While the full game is out later this month, the demo for Injustice: Gods Among Us is already available as a free download on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms.

Does the new game manage to impress or should NetherRealm stick with Mortal Kombat? Let's have a quick look.

The Injustice: Gods Among Us demo only has three playable characters, in the form of Batman, Wonder Woman, and Lex Luthor, but you also get to fight off against an AI-controlled Doomsday in one of two areas: Gotham City Rooftops or Gotham City Alley.

Even so, the three playable fighters are quite interesting and each represent a different type of player. Wonder Woman relies on agility, Lex Luthor and his super-suit rely on strength, while Batman is a combination of the two.

Each feel different in combat and, besides coming with regular moves, each has different special abilities based on their powers in the comics, such as Batman summoning a swarm of mechanic bats that can be sent as remote projectiles.

While NetherRealm promised that Injustice will be accessible to all sorts of players, the game isn't that easy to get into, as while mashing buttons could result in some decent attacks, you still need to memorize different super moves and special abilities to actually stand a chance against AI-controlled opponents.

The levels also have different elements with which players can interact, from a helicopter hovering over the Gotham City Rooftops, to fire hydrants or fuel trucks on the alley, each capable of augmenting the damage dealt to an opponent.

Overall, the Injustice demo is pretty fun, but it features a steep learning curve.

Check out a few matches in the video above.