With the recent release of theMortal Kombat 1DLC Khaos Reigns, numerous rumors have popped up suggesting that NetherRealm Studios will be the nextInjusticegame. While those rumors haven’t been confirmed, NetherRealm’s Chief Creative Officer Ed Boon did confirm that the studios knew what their next game was going to be three years ago. The third mainlineInjusticegame may still be years away from release, if it is in development, but NetherRealm should consider implementing an overused concept from other games of late.Injustice 3should feature DC Comics’ expansive multiverse.
DC Comics’ Injustice Universe Explained
First created in 2013 withthe release ofInjustice: Gods Among Us, theInjusticeuniverse is set on Earth 49 of the DC multiverse. For the majority of this universe’s history, similar events occurred in Earth Prime’s history until the Joker decided to target Superman one day. Here, the Joker killed Jimmy Olsen, kidnapped a pregnant Lois Lane, and stole a nuclear bomb with the intent of blowing up Metropolis. Superman raced to save Lois but came face to face with what appeared to be the invincible monster Doomsday. However, Doomsday was actually Lois made to appear as the monster by Scarecrow’s fear toxin. In an instant, Lois and her unborn child died, triggering the bomb in Metropolis to explode.
Enraged, Superman flew to the Joker and killed him, beginning the Man of Steel’s descent into madness and tyranny which would pit Earth’s greatest heroes and villains against each other for over five years.Injustice 1sees the Justice League of Prime Earth travel to Earth 49 to aidInjusticeBatman in taking down Superman and his imperial regime. Years later,in 2017’sInjustice 2, remnants of Superman’s regime led by Black Adam and Wonder Woman attempt to break the Last Son of Krypton out of prison just as the alien conqueror Brainiac invades, forcing Batman and Superman to briefly join forces.
The Potential Role of the Multiverse in Injustice 3
Injustice 2ends with two possible endings: one where Superman takes control and lobotomizes Batman and another where Superman is sent to the Phantom Zone while Supergirl joins Batman. Based on howMortal Kombat 11’s Aftermath DLC similarly ended with two possible endings, NetherRealm could craftInjustice 3’s narrative similar to Mortal Kombat 1’s. Earth 49 could have been split into two universes after Brainiac’s defeat, with Batman’s ending being the main universe forInjusticeuntil Superman invades from the alternateInjusticeuniverse bent on conquering the entire multiverse. Superman’sInjustice 2Battle Simulator ending depicts Kal-El using Brainiac’s ship to recruit armies from miniaturized cities and create a new Legion dedicated to conquering the multiverse.
NetherRealm could also go a different route with the multiverse inInjustice 3by having theInjusticeuniverse be recruited to help defeat a multiversal threat. ManyInjusticefans have theorized thatthe next antagonist forInjustice 3could be the Anti-Monitor, responsible for the initial destruction of the multiverse inCrisis on Infinite Earths, or Darkseid, the ruler of Apokolips. Darkseid asInjustice 3’s antagonist could potentially tie into bothMortal Kombat vs. DC UniverseandMortal Kombat 11as both feature or refer to Dark Kahn, the merged being of Darkseid and Shao Kahn. Having Brainiac powered Superman, Darkseid, or the Anti-Monitor could all lead toInjustice 3featuring several new fighters from DC’s multiverse.
Possible New Fighters in Injustice 3
BothInjustice 1and2featured several classic heroes and villains from DC Comics’, but none of them came from alternate universes, besidesInjustice 2’s Green Arrow. Various cosmetics of alternate heroes can be unlocked or purchased in both games, such as a Red Son Superman skin, butInjusticehas yet to feature a truly unique fighter from an alternate universe.Injustice 3could introduce several fan-favorite alternate characters, such as Earth 3’s Owlman, Earth 12’s Batman Beyond, Earth -22’s Batman Who Laughs, Earth M’s Static Shock, Earth 55’s Green Canary, Earth 118’s Deathstroke, Earth 2’s Red Tornado, and more. All of these fighters could play unique roles inInjustice 3and introduce new players to lesser-known worlds within the DC multiverse.
Tom Taylor, the primary writer for bothInjustice: Gods Among UsandInjustice 2’s comics, also wrote the comics of Earth 55’sDCeasedand Earth 118’sDark Knights of Steel.
Injustice 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Power up and build the ultimate version of your favourite DC legends in INJUSTICE 2.EVERY BATTLE DEFINES YOU: With every match you’ll earn gear to equip, customise and evolve your roster.A NEW THREAT RISES: Picking up where Injustice left off, Batman struggles against Superman’s regime, as a new threat appears that will put Earth’s very existence at risk.THE BEST OF DC: Choose from the biggest DC Universe roster ever and battle across iconic locations in epic-scale battles.BUILT BY NETHERREALM: Developers of the best-selling and critically acclaimed MORTAL KOMBAT franchise.
