SneakyTortoise
Official Master of Salt
This is something I've been thinking about lately, and I'm curious to hear other people's opinions on the matter, because I don't know where I stand.
Firstly, I'd like to say I think Injustice 2 is a great game, and easily NRS' most complete package as a game and their most balanced game competitively.
But, this is a fighting game about super heroes, not just martial artists, but heroes with insane powers and abilities. yet, despite these heroes having a plethora of wild abilities and powers in their lore, when it comes to fighting in I2, not many of them actually do anything too wild.
Now, I know the obvious reason why. NRS wanted a competitive game, and having characters doing crazy things makes polarising MUs much harder to avoid, but this has the downside of almost watering down the potential of the characters. I can't be the only one thinking that when I use someone with superpowers in a game, I want it to feel like I am using someone with superpowers, right?
What sparked this line of thinking, was playing Raiden. Now, this is the Thunder God we're talking about, yet, one of the most anti-climactic moments in this game for me, was seeing what his trait was. Imo, traits should definitely be something really unique, cool and a bit crazy for each character. So, when I saw that instead of that crazy lightning box, or even displacer orbs were connected to his trait, and instead he just gets a bit of the generic more damage/some specials affected, I was disappointed. (Just to clarify, I am not saying his trait isn't good, just that it's boring and feels like a missed opportunity).
Another thing that comes to mind regarding this, loads of the really hype moves people got excited about turned out to be gear moves. (Captain Cold's ice platforms spring to mind). Now, of course, there has to be balance, but does that mean that these crazy moves can't exist in competitive play? I'm not so sure.
I do understand that there's a fine line line, and that the crazier a move gets, the more chance there is that it creates polarising MUs, but I still think there were some missed opportunities and that NRS played it a little too safe with some characters. This could potentially be why some people find I2 boring to watch, and prefer to watch the lunacy of MVCI.
Just to clarify, the sort of craziness I'd like to see more of, is at Brainiac's level. Brainiac is incredibly fun because he feels unique and completely different to anyone else. He's one of the few where the first time you see him used at a high level, you're left thinking "wtf is this madness". Yet, he is pretty well balanced, and very punishable on a lot of his madness. This is the route I kind of wish NRS had taken with more characters.
What are your thoughts?
TLDR: Would you prefer to see the conservative approach to character designs, ensuring a balanced game, or would you rather see crazier designs, potentially leading to more imbalance?
Firstly, I'd like to say I think Injustice 2 is a great game, and easily NRS' most complete package as a game and their most balanced game competitively.
But, this is a fighting game about super heroes, not just martial artists, but heroes with insane powers and abilities. yet, despite these heroes having a plethora of wild abilities and powers in their lore, when it comes to fighting in I2, not many of them actually do anything too wild.
Now, I know the obvious reason why. NRS wanted a competitive game, and having characters doing crazy things makes polarising MUs much harder to avoid, but this has the downside of almost watering down the potential of the characters. I can't be the only one thinking that when I use someone with superpowers in a game, I want it to feel like I am using someone with superpowers, right?
What sparked this line of thinking, was playing Raiden. Now, this is the Thunder God we're talking about, yet, one of the most anti-climactic moments in this game for me, was seeing what his trait was. Imo, traits should definitely be something really unique, cool and a bit crazy for each character. So, when I saw that instead of that crazy lightning box, or even displacer orbs were connected to his trait, and instead he just gets a bit of the generic more damage/some specials affected, I was disappointed. (Just to clarify, I am not saying his trait isn't good, just that it's boring and feels like a missed opportunity).
Another thing that comes to mind regarding this, loads of the really hype moves people got excited about turned out to be gear moves. (Captain Cold's ice platforms spring to mind). Now, of course, there has to be balance, but does that mean that these crazy moves can't exist in competitive play? I'm not so sure.
I do understand that there's a fine line line, and that the crazier a move gets, the more chance there is that it creates polarising MUs, but I still think there were some missed opportunities and that NRS played it a little too safe with some characters. This could potentially be why some people find I2 boring to watch, and prefer to watch the lunacy of MVCI.
Just to clarify, the sort of craziness I'd like to see more of, is at Brainiac's level. Brainiac is incredibly fun because he feels unique and completely different to anyone else. He's one of the few where the first time you see him used at a high level, you're left thinking "wtf is this madness". Yet, he is pretty well balanced, and very punishable on a lot of his madness. This is the route I kind of wish NRS had taken with more characters.
What are your thoughts?
TLDR: Would you prefer to see the conservative approach to character designs, ensuring a balanced game, or would you rather see crazier designs, potentially leading to more imbalance?
