Each arena is still filled with environmental interactions and arena transitions, but players can now block most of the trash cans, computer terminals, and strange things that are thrown their way. The new evasive moves deplete segments of the meter, as do various meter burn moves. Special meter management also offers new dynamics, and no longer hangs so heavily on banking segments for a potential Clash or super move in the final round. Matches rarely have lulls, and players have more opportunities to turn the tables on their opponents thanks to the inclusion of aerial recoveries that allow you to pop out of juggle combos, and evasive rolls that can give you distance or close the gap quickly. The small touch of increasing the walking speed of each character goes a long way in removing the somewhat slow spacing game between opponents.

This level of brutality is nothing new for Injustice, but the dancing that occurs between these catastrophic strikes is faster than before, and offers a higher level of strategy. At any given second a hero could be punched through a pyramid, thrown into space, or mauled by Harley Quinn’s hyenas. The fighting is once again a ridiculous show of power. You won’t find much to think about in this narrative other than if Green Arrow’s dad jokes could be any worse, but that's part of its charm – this experience focuses on the powers of the heroes more than what's going on inside of their heads. The story is as much fun to watch as the game is to play, maintaining a bombastic assault on the senses from start to finish. The level of detail in the character models is impressive, as is the framing of the action – particularly in a sequence that pits The Flash against Reverse Flash. NetherRealm delivers dumb fun in this story, which unfolds through lengthy sequences filled with epic fights, witty banter, and layer upon layer of fan service. The lurking fear of Superman being freed from his prison is a nice plot thread that adds a layer of uncertainty to the arc, but almost every sequence boils down to “everyone fights everyone.” Brainiac, a space traveler intent on destroying Earth, can control anyone’s will, and has forged his own army of familiar faces. This sequel instead takes the more clichéd angle of uniting heroes and villains to stop an intergalactic threat. Although penned as a direct continuation to the original game and comic series, no moment is as shocking as Superman ripping out the Joker’s heart the tone also isn't as dark. Injustice 2 doesn’t reach the same level of narrative intrigue as its predecessor, but remains enjoyable for an entirely different reason.

Injustice 2 once again delivers knockout blows with its super-powered story and fighting, but finds a third way to entertain through an addictive collecting component. NetherRealm Studios’ 2013 fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us also balanced duality, finding success as a fun fighting experience coupled with a popular story. Most of DC Comics’ heroes lead double lives, all in an attempt to blend into society as seemingly ordinary people who don capes and masks when trouble arises. The last survivor of Krypton and the reporter.

Injustice 2 ps4