Between its combined crucial opinions, participant base that rapidly plummeted into the lots of, extreme networking points and Warner Bros. Discovery saying it “fell in need of expectations,” Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has had it tough since launch. Whereas dwell service titles appeared misplaced in right this moment’s crowded gaming house, it was additionally proven up by Arrowhead Recreation Studios’ immensely profitable Helldivers 2 in brief order.
Nonetheless, there was at all times the hope that Season 1, aka Season of the Joker, would revitalize the sport and convey again lapsed gamers, if not generate curiosity from newcomers. In any case, it’s The Joker! No, not any recognizable or established model of The Joker, however an Elseworlds model as an alternative. Primarily based on early gameplay footage, he appeared strong sufficient. Absolutely, his story would even be attention-grabbing and accompanied by new gear, actions and story content material.
Properly, Season of the Joker is now dwell and suffice it to say that even probably the most devoted gamers have thrown up their arms in exasperation. What occurred? Because it seems, this season…doesn’t have a lot happening. The “new” actions and story content material go away one thing to be desired with how little there’s of each.
Right here’s the way it works: that is the launch of Episode 1 of Season of the Joker, dubbed Concern. It options new Infamy Gear themed round Scarecrow, with new set bonuses centered on poisoning enemies, and a few Infamous gear from characters like Merlyn, Mad Hatter, Polka-Dot Man, Two-Face and Reverse Flash. There’s additionally the brand new Battle Move, which Deluxe Version holders can activate for some admittedly cheesy-looking WayneTech outfits.
Nonetheless, the brand new Elseworlds missions are little greater than the content material gamers have been trudging by for weeks. They vary from destroying an artillery gun by depositing Terminaut bits to killing enemies inside a time restrict in missions like Snicker Riot and – get this – killing Brutes in Impostor Syndrome. Positive, the world is dotted with Joker-themed buildings and decorations to present the impression of a “new world”, however basically, it’s the identical house. The very same enemy sorts.
Regardless of the brand new buffs you may decide up, like Infinite Ammo or a Diablo Blaze Flame Aura, there isn’t something mind-blowingly totally different concerning the gameplay. Sadly, these in it for the story surrounding this new Joker will likely be dissatisfied as nicely.
You get a brand new movement comic-style intro showcasing how The Joker wreaked havoc in opposition to Brainiac’s forces, bought captured and, nicely, stayed that manner (as he’s recognized to do). Now, you need to grind by those self same mission sorts once more to extend your Concern ranks. At Rank 35, gamers unlock The Joker and also can combat Brainiac in a brand new boss combat. Sorry, once we say “new”, we imply one other reskinned model of an present combat (on this case Inexperienced Lantern). Rocksteady couldn’t even give Brainiac some new constructs or mechanics to mess around with.
After that and an ungainly cutscene the place The Joker is formally a part of the squad, the latter is lastly playable. That’s it. No new story missions and even every other cutscenes. Just a few lame banter, and that’s it. So far as post-launch seasons go, it’s embarrassingly lackluster, even so far as failed live-service titles go.
However wait – there’s extra. The Joker is technically free – you simply must unlock him by grinding out the identical boring actions once more. Assuming you are taking the quickest mission – in my case, the one centered on killing a number of Brute enemies, which took about two minutes – and progress by 35 Concern Episode Ranks, it ought to be about an hour and a half. Accounting for some Promethium in case you run out, in fact.
Nonetheless, Rocksteady additionally provides you the choice, nay, the privilege to pay for fast entry. That’s proper – with a mere 1000 LuthorCoins, the identical value because the Premium Battle Move, you may unlock The Joker and play with him instantly. That’ll be $10, please, and thanks. It’s a scummy transfer, with the developer preying on those that wouldn’t know higher.
Then once more, there’s one other potential motive Rocksteady didn’t present speedy and free entry to the Clown Prince of Crime – the every day energetic person rely. It doesn’t need gamers to log in and play with the brand new character earlier than logging out. It desires to power them to stay round as if showcasing that the sport has some life.
In fact, the opposite motive is the utter lack of content material. If gamers logged in and noticed nothing however the identical actions, they might drop this new Season virtually instantly. Forcing them to grind however not making the grind extreme makes sticking round look extra interesting. In fact, should you can monetize those that are impatient or unaware, then even higher.
Possibly Rocksteady took inspiration from the likes of Overwatch 2 and the way they pushed gamers to grind by the Battle Move to unlock new heroes once they dropped. Nonetheless, not solely is {that a} PvP title, however if you buy the Premium Battle Move, you get speedy entry. In the meantime, Suicide Squad asks for extra money on prime of the Battle Move to play as The Joker.
Additionally, the quantity of backlash that Blizzard obtained for this strategy was so constant over time that it’s going again to creating new heroes free and instantly accessible to all gamers. We’re now on the level the place Blizzard Leisure, of all builders, is doing issues higher. Let that sink in for the second.
You possibly can argue that Season of the Joker is simply the primary season – or the primary episode of the primary season as if issues aren’t annoyingly convoluted sufficient. But for months, particularly following the controversial gameplay showcase at PlayStation’s State of Play final yr, it touted the post-launch assist and the way the story was “greater” than the Suicide Squad. How the Elseworlds strategy allowed for limitless prospects and whatnot.
Not solely did it study no classes from the likes of Future 2 and even The Division 2 when it comes to providing new story content material and actions, however it’s attempting to rip-off its hardcore gamers – the one ones which might be left – for just some extra bucks. It might be hilarious if it weren’t so unhappy. Alas, not solely are followers rejecting its practices and calling out the utter lack of content material however for all its posturing and “advertising and marketing,” Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League averaged a measly 2,717 peak concurrent gamers on Steam for Season 1’s launch.
Possibly issues will enhance in Episode 2 of Season of the Joker. Possibly Rocksteady has this intricate storyline that it’s going to inform, particularly with the grind and set-up – such that it’s – out of the best way. Nonetheless, with one more reskinned boss combat, this time with Superman, it’s a must to marvel if that’s the case. The primary impression is often the final, particularly on the subject of live-service titles – simply have a look at Future 2’s new participant expertise. Whereas Suicide Squad fumbled badly at launch, it had the chance to showcase its post-launch potential.
Sadly, if this primary “Episode” is any indication, Rocksteady’s dwell service ambitions could go the best way of Anthem and Marvel’s Avengers prior to we thought. And that’s actually the killing joke.
Be aware: The views expressed on this article are these of the writer and don’t essentially signify the views of, and shouldn’t be attributed to, GamingBolt as a corporation.
