Recently, gaming journalists and streamers were invited to Burbank, California, for an exclusive pre-release experience with the game, engaging with developers and delving into gameplay. The resulting early impressions, however, do not paint a particularly favourable picture.

Game Informer, on the other hand, expressed cautious optimism after their hands-on session, stating, “Emerging from my hands-on session, I feel much more confident in Rocksteady’s long-awaited follow-up to its critically acclaimed Arkham series, but I still have several questions.”

According to IGN’s early impressions with the game, the fun story elements of Suicide Squad give way to a less inspired combat system and an open world burdened with repetitive/boring tasks. Notably, a now-deleted YouTube video review from IGN offered an even more scathing take on the game.

VGC raised concerns, stating, “There’s nothing interesting or new being introduced in Suicide Squad,” drawing comparisons to Crystal Dynamics’ Avengers and expressing disappointment in Rocksteady seemingly following trends rather than innovating.”

Eurogamer commented on Rocksteady’s attempt to blend new elements with familiar ones, noting the game’s venture into the online shooter and live service domain. They suggested that Suicide Squad might be more trend-chasing than playing to Rocksteady’s established strengths.

Acknowledging the common trajectory of Games-as-a-Service titles launching with initial issues, critics recognize the potential for improvement over time. Games like Destiny and The Division have experienced shaky starts but evolved into must-play experiences after ongoing developer adjustments. The question remains whether Suicide Squad can follow a similar path to redemption. (Though games should work to start properly to start with!)

The gaming community’s surprise at the less-than-glowing reviews is palpable. Typically, events like these showcase carefully curated slices of a game designed to highlight its best features. If Rocksteady intended to present their best, these reviews indicate a challenging road ahead for the game’s long-term success.

Scheduled for release on February 2, 2024, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.