Highlights
- Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is part of a trend towards more mature and gritty DC games, but this leaves a gap for younger fans.
- LEGO Batman 4 could provide a much-needed lighthearted and fun alternative to the darker superhero games, appealing to a broad range of audiences.
- Superheroes often thrive when they have wide appeal, so DC would be wise to produce games for superhero lovers of all ages.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is part of a trend that shows that the next LEGO Batman game is long past due. Outside both being based on DC properties, there’s almost nothing else tying the two together. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League doesn’t even share a genre with LEGO Batman. However, the differences between the two underscore how much the latter is needed. Kill the Justice League is set to do its own thing as it continues the Arkham universe, but it is far from the only game that DC has to offer in the future.
The news that Kill the Justice League brings back the Joker was a fittingly large bombshell to cap off the long wait for the game. Following up on the wildly successful Batman Arkham universe, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League shifts perspective to a quartet of villains fighting to save the Earth against brainwashed versions of DC’s greatest heroes. The development cycle has been full of headlines, from the initial delay to rumors and leaks. The run-and-gun gameplay of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League combined with its villain focus makes it an unusual entry for DC, but one that should ultimately be memorable.
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League’s Joker is Facing a Huge Uphill Battle
The Joker is coming to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League but will undoubtedly face some difficulties in winning over gamers and the fanbase.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Could Be Followed By LEGO Batman 4 For a Change of Pace
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is Clearly Aimed at Older Audiences
DC has been following a pattern recently, with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League‘s story being the latest step down that path. The game has made no secret about being mature, gory, and raunchy, much like the 2019 Suicide Squad movie. The upcoming DC: Dark Legion also looks to be a more mature property since it will be spotlighting The Batman Who Laughs, one of DC’s more horrifying recent villains. Also, while little is known about Monolith’s Wonder Woman game so far, while it probably won’t go as far as Kill the Justice League, it’s not likely to significantly reverse DC’s more mature gaming direction.
Marvel’s upcoming games are also largely for mature audiences, with Wolverine and Blade being prime examples.
DC Lacks Any Major Upcoming Games For Younger Fans
This trend of more mature DC games is exactly why the next LEGO Batman game should come out sooner rather than later. DC has had success with more adult audiences lately, but not offering anything for younger fans is a risk. Superheroes have enduring popularity among kids, as shown by how many animated superhero shows have earned high praise. As it stands, DC doesn’t have anything lined up in the near future for its younger fans, which is an issue that would be best addressed quickly. DC games could be missing out on major opportunities by following their current trajectory.
LEGO Batman Can Bring Lighthearted Fun Back to DC Games
Superhero media has spent several years trending towards the darker and grittier side, perfectly embodied by Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League‘s villainous Superman. LEGO Batman‘s sense of humor would be a perfect foil to this approach, especially since it involves a character who has seen several dark storylines of his own. LEGO Batman 4 can embrace the fun and fantastical side of superheroes mixed with LEGO charm. It would be a refreshing change of pace, and the end result could be something that every superhero fan could enjoy. DC could have a lot to gain from putting out a game along the lines of LEGO Batman again.
DC is appealing to adult audiences with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, as well as other upcoming games. Mature content may not be one of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League‘s difficulties, but there’s a chance that it could become a problem for DC as a whole. There’s nothing wrong with making stories and games for older audiences, but superheroes often thrive when they have broad appeal. After Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League launches, DC may want to tackle LEGO Batman 4 as its next project.
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League
- Released
- February 2, 2024
