By Sagar V. Mankar 
The highly anticipated Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League recently lifted its alpha test NDA (non-disclosure agreements), allowing open impressions from players.
This allows tester players to share their impressions (opinions) of the early gameplay experience.
This comes on the heels of lukewarm press previews that left some questioning if the game can live up to Rocksteady’s pedigree.
After this announcement, social media flooded with reactions from fans about the gameplay.
Despite some concerns, people are still excited about this unconventional take on the superhero genre.
First Impressions Offer Cautious Praise
The select press were granted early alpha access to the game.
But the press was not impressed by the game.
While praising aspects like character abilities and traversal, some critics felt Suicide Squad didn’t demonstrate enough innovation in the superhero genre.
They questioned if the game could reach the lofty bar set by the acclaimed Batman: Arkham series.
VGC’s Alan Wen noted that Suicide Squad’s connection to the Arkhamverse wasn’t immediately apparent and felt it played too safe given Rocksteady’s pedigree.
With Arkham renowned for revolutionizing superhero games, Wen expected bolder steps from Suicide Squad.
Other early previews mirrored similar concerns, applauding fundamentals but wanting more game-changing risks.
IGN called it outdated “not clicking with us yet” and expressed frustration with tedious missions.
Reviewers praised snappy combat and diverse movesets but felt the Open Zone setting lacked personality compared to Arkham’s meticulously crafted world.
There is still promise in bringing together Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and King Shark for destructive hero-hunting.
However, some feel Suicide Squad needs more gameplay innovation to stand out in the crowded superhero space.
Developers Emphasize Story Focus
In response to tempered initial reactions, Suicide Squad director Darius Sadeghian offered encouraging insights.
Speaking to Play Magazine, Sadeghian stressed the game’s focus on impactful storytelling and characters.
Sadeghian described Suicide Squad’s narrative scope as “easily our biggest game,” promising an experience spiritually aligned with Arkham’s cinematic universe.
The emphasis on characters and storytelling should be music to fans’ ears.
While gameplay innovations remain crucial, Rocksteady’s strongest asset is crafting resonant character arcs and blockbuster plots.
Suicide Squad doubling down there is wise.
Fans Eager as 2024 Release Nears
Despite lingering questions, hype remains high as Suicide Squad’s long-awaited release finally nears.
The game hits PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on February 2, 2024, after facing multiple delays.
This launch will give players the chance to determine for themselves if Rocksteady’s unique vision for the iconic team delivers a satisfying experience.
There is healthy skepticism, but the studio’s pedigree and passion for crafting compelling worlds maintains optimism.
Does Suicide Squad Continue Arkham’s Legacy?
The question looms whether Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will redefine superhero games or merely coast on the goodwill of Rocksteady’s previous smash hits.
But with alpha impressions flooding out and launch just over a month away, we’ll soon find out if this off-the-rails adventure lives up to the Arkham name.