Games

Injustice 3 Should Make One Character More Than Just an Echo Fighter

Published

1 month ago

October 21, 2024

Speculation around NetherRealm Studios’ next game has begun to grow in the wake of Mortal Kombat 1‘s continued success, with Injustice 3 seeming like an increasingly likely candidate. After the previous Injustice installment introduced several unique customization features which have since become a staple of NRS releases, its follow-up is anticipated to build on them with similar systems. When it comes to the innovative premier skins that allow some roster slots to feature multiple characters under the same moveset, however, one of them in particular should be elevated to the status of a full-fledged fighter in Injustice 3 instead.

By featuring characters such as Power Girl and Vixen in existing slots in a format similar to echo fighters from Super Smash Bros., the premier skins of Injustice 2 enabled it to get more out of its content at the cost of proper gameplay uniqueness. One of the biggest examples of this is John Stewart, a skin for Hal Jordan Green Lantern who ultimately wasn’t able to reflect the major differences between the two. Considering the individuality of these two heroes along with their respective popularity under the same mantle, the best bet for Injustice 3‘s direction would be to feature both of them as standalone characters.

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John Stewart Deserves More Than Echo Fighter Status

Green Lantern’s Injustice 2 Premier Skin Sold the Character Short

In his appearances in both of the Injustice games, John Stewart has been reduced to a visual swap with the same moveset as Jordan. In reality, these characters come from two different backgrounds that heavily influenced their approach to Power Ring constructs and general fighting style. With the premier skin featuring unique voice lines and an impressive visual representation of the character, the disparity of his lacking gameplay is only highlighted further.

Atrocitus was able to bring a welcome showcase of the Red Lantern Corps lore that complemented Hal Jordan’s style, but John Stewart not being fleshed out in a similar way was missed potential. Injustice 2‘s Superman and Supergirl had different enough movesets to justify them taking up entire character slots, and it easily could have made sense for more than one Green Lantern to have used the same powers in their own personal ways.

There’s Room for Two Unique Green Lanterns in Injustice 3

Hal Jordan and John Stewart Are Inclined Toward Different Fighting Game Niches

The two most popular Green Lantern Corps members might be confused with each other among some more casual fans, but their distinct personalities translate into their use of their power constructs. While Jordan is known for his more daring and headstrong nature, which could better support a melee or mid-range combat style, John Stewart has a tactical mindset and sense of discipline that more closely aligns with zoner gameplay. There is a more militaristic and practical association with Stewart’s constructs, mainly guns and vehicles, that could make his use of Jordan’s more bombastic array of giant fists and spiked balls feel out of place. Though the Green Lantern moveset that players are familiar with is already primarily centered around Hal Jordan, his Injustice 3 iteration could lean more heavily into his rushdown potential while allowing his counterpart to do the opposite.

Premier Skins Are Better Used on Further Lantern Fighters

If John Stewart were to no longer be limited to just a premier skin, the next Injustice could instead orient this feature around fitting other prominent Green Lantern Corps members into the game. Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner would have places as skins of different characters who better complement their traits, expanding that entire side of the DC universe’s representation in the next title.

Power up and build the ultimate version of your favourite DC legends in INJUSTICE 2.

EVERY BATTLE DEFINES YOU: With every match you’ll earn gear to equip, customise and evolve your roster.

A NEW THREAT RISES: Picking up where Injustice left off, Batman struggles against Superman’s regime, as a new threat appears that will put Earth’s very existence at risk.

THE BEST OF DC: Choose from the biggest DC Universe roster ever and battle across iconic locations in epic-scale battles.

BUILT BY NETHERREALM: Developers of the best-selling and critically acclaimed MORTAL KOMBAT franchise.

Franchise: Injustice
Released: May 11, 2017
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer
Engine: unreal engine 3, unreal engine 4
ESRB: T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
How Long To Beat: 10 Hours
X|S Optimized: No
File Size Xbox Series: 33 GB (November 2023)
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty