In a crowded year for video game releases, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League emerged as one of 2024’s most surprising titles—not because it dazzled critics, but because it defied its lower-than-expected review scores to deliver a surprisingly enjoyable experience for those willing to embrace its quirks. Averaging around a 6/10 on review scales, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was met with a mix of praise and disappointment from fans and critics alike. While the game didn’t meet the high bar set by Rocksteady’s Arkham series, it still managed to deliver an entertaining, chaotic romp through the DC Universe, anchored by its antihero cast, dynamic gameplay, and visual polish.
One of the most engaging elements of the game is its cast of characters and the setup of its storyline. Taking a unique angle within the superhero genre, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League presents an unusual narrative: the Suicide Squad is tasked with eliminating corrupted members of the Justice League who have fallen under the control of the infamous villain Brainiac. This twist on the traditional hero-villain setup is refreshing, giving players the chance to experience a darker side of DC lore. Characters like Harley Quinn, Deadshot, King Shark, and Captain Boomerang all bring distinct personalities and powers to the table, infusing the narrative with humor and unpredictability. Their banter and unique dialogue sequences are entertaining, capturing the irreverent spirit that has come to define the Suicide Squad in both comics and film. While the plot can feel disjointed at times, the appeal of controlling these iconic antiheroes and exploring the complexities of their interactions with the Justice League keeps the game engaging.
Visually, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is breathtaking, and this is one area where the game undeniably excels. The level of detail in the character models and animations has set a new standard for video game visuals. The facial animations alone are so finely rendered that in some cutscenes, it feels more like watching a live-action sequence than a digital creation. Critics have noted that the game is among the best-looking titles released in recent years, with character expressions and animations that communicate nuanced emotions. This level of visual polish enhances the narrative experience, giving players a more immersive connection to the game’s dramatic and darkly humorous moments. Even if gameplay elements falter at times, the visual experience alone makes Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League a spectacle worth experiencing, drawing players into its gritty, dystopian version of Metropolis.
The game’s combat system has received mixed reviews, though there are aspects that many players find enjoyable despite its flaws. While the combat can feel repetitive and the missions somewhat predictable, the individual abilities of each character offer opportunities for experimentation and creativity. Harley Quinn’s acrobatic melee attacks, Deadshot’s precise shooting, King Shark’s brutal strength, and Captain Boomerang’s speed and agility bring diversity to the gameplay, allowing players to adopt different approaches to combat based on their character choice. This variation adds an element of replayability, as players can experiment with different team setups and character abilities in each playthrough. The gunplay, while straightforward, is responsive and satisfying, and the inclusion of elements like critical reloads, grenades, and unique weapons inspired by other DC characters adds some extra spice to the action.
The game is designed to be enjoyed cooperatively, and it’s in multiplayer mode that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League truly shines. Playing with friends amplifies the game’s chaotic, action-movie energy, as players coordinate to tackle waves of enemies and take on the Justice League members together. The co-op gameplay is reminiscent of classic co-op shooters, providing a sense of camaraderie and shared excitement that compensates for some of the game’s structural weaknesses. Missions may lack variety, but the social experience and the unpredictable nature of co-op gameplay can make even repetitive encounters feel fresh. In fact, some players have noted that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is ideal for those who enjoy jumping into short, action-packed gaming sessions with friends, where the focus is more on fun and less on intricate mechanics or a deep storyline.
Despite these highlights, it’s fair to say that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has several flaws that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The game’s loot system, for example, feels underdeveloped. The progression mechanics lack the rewarding build-up typically expected in a looter-shooter. Legendary weapons are introduced early on, which undermines the excitement of leveling up and discovering powerful new items later in the game. There’s little incentive to explore the game’s loot tiers when high-level weapons are accessible so quickly, and the system fails to provide the satisfaction that usually comes from gradually upgrading a character’s gear. The game’s attempt to blend RPG elements with action-shooter mechanics falls short, leaving players with a sense of imbalance in the progression system.
Moreover, the mission structure itself is often criticised for its lack of variety. Many missions follow a similar pattern, tasking players with clearing out enemies, disabling a piece of machinery, or defending an area. This repetitive structure can become tedious, especially for players expecting the same level of depth and creativity that Rocksteady brought to the Arkham games. There are a few standout missions, such as an early encounter with a brainwashed Batman, which adds some narrative depth and excitement, but these moments are the exception rather than the rule. For a studio known for its innovative mission design, the repetition in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a notable disappointment.
Still, for all its imperfections, there is a certain charm to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League that makes it an unexpectedly enjoyable experience. It doesn’t reach the highs of Rocksteady’s previous work, but it also doesn’t deserve to be dismissed entirely. The game embraces the chaotic, anarchic spirit of the Suicide Squad, offering players a chance to revel in its offbeat humor and high-octane action. For fans of the DC Universe, the opportunity to explore a darker take on beloved characters and fight against iconic heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman adds a layer of excitement that compensates for the game’s technical shortcomings.
The endgame loop in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is often cited as one of the game’s weaker elements, primarily because it’s bogged down by repetitive mechanics and lacks meaningful long-term progression. The loop centers on “Incursion” missions, which feel uninspired, requiring players to grind through similar encounters without much narrative drive. The Promethium farming system, a currency essential for progression, can quickly feel like an endless grind, as players repeat the same areas and objectives, limiting the sense of reward or satisfaction.
In addition, players find that most endgame items and rewards feel redundant. Legendary and higher-tier loot quickly become less valuable due to imbalanced stats, meaning there’s no strong incentive to keep leveling or replaying. Though Rocksteady has patched some elements to balance these systems, players still report a lack of diversity in endgame content, making it feel stale rather than engaging.
For me, these issues are partly why I didn’t care much about the endgame—enjoying the main game and the characters in their moment felt more rewarding than the grind-heavy, repetitive structure of the later missions. Rather than a truly robust endgame, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League feels better as a fun, chaotic adventure that wraps up once the core experience is over.
In the end, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League may not be a perfect game, but it’s an undeniably fun one. Its blend of stunning visuals, diverse character abilities, and co-op gameplay makes it an entertaining, if flawed, addition to the gaming landscape. While it may not have achieved critical acclaim, it has still carved out a niche as an entertaining title for those looking for a less conventional superhero experience. The game is not the triumph many had hoped for, but it’s also far from a failure. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is an underrated gem that shines in unexpected ways, offering a unique, imperfect adventure through the twisted world of the Suicide Squad that makes it worth a shot for any fan of chaotic action games.