Why “Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League” (2024) Flopped — Inside Rocksteady’s Fall From Grace

Founded in 2004, Rocksteady Studios¹Welcome to Rocksteady Studios. (2024). Rocksteady. earned widespread praise within the gaming community despite developing only six video games, largely due to the success of the “Batman: Arkham” series. The first title in the series, “Batman: Arkham Asylum,”²Batman: Arkham Asylum. Rocksteady Studios. 2009.³ was released in 2009 and was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the “Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever” until it was succeeded by “Batman: Arkham City” in 2011,⁴Batman: Arkham City. Rocksteady Studios. 2011⁵. the second game in the series.⁶Batman: Arkham Asylum – Wikipedia. (2019). Wikipedia.org.

With each new installment, Rocksteady further cemented its reputation as a studio capable of delivering engaging narratives, innovative gameplay, and a deep respect for the Batman mythos. However, in 2015, many believed the series had reached its conclusion with “Batman: Arkham Knight”⁷Batman: Arkham Knight. Rocksteady Studios. 2015⁸. — until nearly a decade later when Rocksteady returned with “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” in 2024.⁹Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. Rocksteady Studios. 2024¹⁰. Unlike its predecessors, the spinoff received mixed reviews and suffered from underwhelming sales, becoming the studio’s first major failure.

Weighed down by uninspired gameplay, a lackluster narrative, and controversial live-service elements, the game failed to capture the magic that defined Rocksteady’s earlier works. As a result, “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” not only disappointed longtime fans — but also left a lasting stain on the studio’s once-sterling reputation.

The Key Elements That Made The “Batman: Arkham” (2009-) Games Iconic

To understand what caused “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” to fail is to understand what made the “Batman: Arkham” games succeed. When developing “Batman: Arkham Asylum,” Rocksteady was heavily inspired by Grant Morrison’s Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth,¹¹Morrison, Grant. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. October. 1989, which follows the story of Joker and other villains taking over Arkham Asylum.

Committed to providing players with an “authentic Batman experience,” Rocksteady designed the game as a third-person adventure that blends combat and puzzle-solving.¹²Contributors to Arkham Wiki. “Batman: Arkham Asylum.” Fandom, Inc. Accessed March 4, 2025. In combat, players can choose to confront enemies head-on or eliminate them one by one using stealth, while puzzle-solving allows players to utilize Batman’s gadgets to navigate challenges.¹³Contributors to Arkham Wiki. “Batman: Arkham Asylum.” Fandom, Inc. Accessed March 4, 2025.¹⁴

Being a different take on Batman at the time, Rocksteady wanted players to get a sense of familiarity with their game, which is why they cast Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, and Arleen Sorkin from Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)¹⁵Timm, Bruce and Randomski, Eric. Batman: The Animated Series. Warner Bros. Animation to return as Batman, Joker, and Harley Quinn, offering fans something “new but familiar” to Batman fans. As a result, the game was met with critical acclaim and over 4 million copies sold worldwide.

When it was time to create the sequel, “Batman: Arkham City,” Rocksteady did not change anything of what made its predecessor great but instead, they added more to it with an open world set in Arkham City; new gadgets to utilize; and additional playable characters Robin, Nightwing, and Catwoman.

The game’s story follows Batman in uncovering a sinister scheme orchestrated by Dr. Hugo Strange while infected with a virus by the Joker and adds iconic Batman villains missing in the predecessor, such as Penguin, Two-Face, and Mr. Freeze — with the latter being deemed by fans as the best boss fight in the series. When it launched, the game surpassed its predecessor critically (holding a Metacritic score of 96 over 91¹⁶Batman: Arkham City. (2011, October 18). Metacritic.com.) and financially (with six million copies sold worldwide¹⁷Goldfarb, A. (2012, February 8). Batman: Arkham City Ships Six Million – IGN. IGN.).

The final game in the series developed by Rocksteady was “Batman: Arkham Knight.” Believed to be their last installment, the studio aimed to further immerse players in the role of Batman by introducing control of the Batmobile and adding new playable characters, including Batgirl, Red Hood, Azrael, and Harley Quinn. Within the story, players must take back Gotham City from Scarecrow while fighting the Joker over control of Batman’s body.

Although the game did not hold well compared to its predecessors in reception and sales, it still performed well and was deemed by fans as a conclusion to the franchise.¹⁸Stapleton, D. (2015, June 19). Batman: Arkham Knight Review – IGN. IGN.

Breaking Down Why “Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League” Failed

So, what went wrong with their latest video game, “Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League?” Set in the same universe as its predecessors, it not only features characters from the Batman mythos but also includes iconic DC superheroes like Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Flash. Yet, despite this, the game fell short in sales and received mixed reviews.

Simply put, it’s different — but not in a good way. It strays from everything that made Rocksteady’s games great, seemingly prioritizing profit from the DC brand over quality. Since players aren’t controlling Batman this time, Rocksteady had to rethink the gameplay to fit the Suicide Squad. As a result, they settled on a third-person, gung-ho-style shooter where players can team up online with three others or play solo while switching between four characters: Harley Quinn, King Shark, Captain Boomerang, and Deadshot.

Players are tasked with taking on the Justice League, who have been mind-controlled by Brainiac. On paper, the concept sounded genuinely compelling; however, the gameplay was criticized for being repetitive — not due to the gunplay, but because of the boss battles.

In the “Arkham” series, each boss fight felt unique, tailored to the character, whether it was being hunted by Killer Croc through the sewers or strategically using stealth to outmaneuver Mr. Freeze. Yet in this game, all players must take down the Justice League to keep opening fire on them.

Even the final boss, Brainiac, felt disappointingly generic, merely rehashing a past boss fight. Upon completing the game, players are informed that Season 0 is finished, only to be told they must wait for the next season — where they’ll have to fight Brainiac again using the same gimmick as before.

The Impact Of Continuity Changes On “Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League”

The game’s narrative faced backlash for its retcons, one-dimensional characters, and inconsistent tone — likely a result of Rocksteady attempting to align with recent DC trends. While the Arkham games drew inspiration from Batman’s darker comic runs, Suicide Squad feels like an attempt to incorporate elements from the latest DC adaptations that preceded its development.

An example of this is the David Ayer’s 2016 film — Suicide Squad — where Rocksteady abandons the dark tone from the Batman comics that was set in stone in previous games in favor of comedic one-liners and gags like in the film. Although comedic one-liners and gags can be entertaining, they often clash with the game’s emotional beats.

Deadshot

Rocksteady is also guilty of altering established characters in the Arkham universe to align with the current DC landscape. The most notable change is Deadshot, who previously appeared in “Batman: Arkham City” as a white man, consistent with his comic counterpart. However, in this game, he is now portrayed as a Black man while still retaining the same name and origin story as the previous version, creating inconsistencies within the established universe.

Deadshot’s race change may have been influenced by Will Smith’s portrayal in Suicide Squad (2016)¹⁹Ayer, David. Director, Suicide Squad, 2016.. To avoid confusion with the previous Deadshot, Rocksteady attempted to retcon the change by revealing that the Deadshot players encountered in Arkham City was merely an imposter. However, many fans did not welcome this revision, viewing it as an unnecessary alteration made solely to align Deadshot with his movie counterpart rather than preserving continuity within the Arkham universe.

Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn is another character who has been rewritten to fit the game’s story. Since her debut in Batman: The Animated Series, Bruce Timm’s creation has skyrocketed in popularity, appearing across various media — including movies, TV shows, video games (beyond the Arkham series), and even her own comic book series — ultimately cementing her place as an official part of DC continuity.

Harley Quinn has undergone significant character growth across various adaptations, evolving from Joker’s abused sidekick to an antihero in her own right. Rocksteady attempted to incorporate this development into their version of the character in Suicide Squad, aligning her arc with her more recent portrayals. The issue is that this version is nothing like any of her other portrayals.

Exploring this version’s history, including her extended history in the tie-in comics, particularly Batman: Arkham Knight Genesis #4,²⁰Tomasi, Peter. Batman: Arkham Knight #4. DC Comics. 18 Nov. 2015. she assisted the Joker in numerous crimes, as well as torturing and brainwashing a teenage Robin. Even after the Joker’s death at the end of “Arkham City,” Quinn continues to commit crimes under his name that continue further in “Arkham Knight.”

Rewriting Harley Quinn’s character to align with her other versions doesn’t work in this game, as her established history within the Arkham universe contradicts her portrayal as a sympathetic protagonist.

Tone Issues & Disrespectful Character Treatment In “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League”

The comedic gags and character retcons disrupt the game’s tone; moments meant to carry emotional weight, such as the Suicide Squad mourning Wonder Woman’s death, are often undermined by crude humor.

A prime example is King Shark attempting to deliver a noble speech about the Flash’s sacrifice, only for Captain Boomerang to interrupt by attempting to urinate on the Flash’s corpse. While the game’s title implies a grim fate for the Justice League, many fans were displeased with how their deaths were handled — shot down with bullets and treated as punchlines by the very characters players control.

One death that particularly upset fans was Batman’s. Having followed his journey for over a decade, many felt it was a poor treatment of the character to have him shot in the head while being mocked by Harley Quinn. This frustration was amplified by the fact that it was one of Kevin Conroy’s final performances as Batman before his passing.

Although later seasons retcon these deaths, revealing that the Justice League (except for Wonder Woman) had actually been alive all along and that players had been fighting clones, this twist does little to undo the experience players had in the base game. The long wait for the reveal only made the fix feel unsatisfying and unearned.

How Microtransactions Hurt “Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League”

The final factor that contributed to the game’s failure is microtransactions. While the game does not force players to make purchases — since DLC characters are free — the steep prices of cosmetic items, especially when compared to previous installments, left many fans feeling ripped off.

A single legendary skin in “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” costs $20, a stark contrast to the $1.99 price tag for skins and challenge packs in “Batman: Arkham Knight.”²¹Foster, G. (2024, February 6). Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League Players Hate “Ridiculous” Classic Skin Prices. TheGamer. While DLC stories and characters are free in “Suicide Squad,” players previously paid a maximum of $40 for a season pass in “Arkham Knight,” which included eight new story missions, six smaller story episodes, two DLC characters, over 20 character skins, and more than 60 challenges — offering significantly more value for the price.²²GamesRadar. (2015, May 5). Here’s what Batman Arkham Knight’s season pass gets you. Gamesradar; GamesRadar+.

The DLC characters for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League faced criticism due to design choices, including a younger version of the Joker and a female interpretation of Mr. Freeze. Overall, implementing battle passes in a game like this doesn’t function as effectively as in titles like Fortnite²³Fortnite: Battle Royale. Epic Games. 2017.²⁴, where the model thrives. Games with successful battle passes are typically multiplayer-centric, encouraging players to return daily, which aligns with the system’s design and appeal.

Rocksteady’s game, however, is fundamentally a single-player experience with multiplayer options. While players can team up with others, the game can also be played solo, with CPUs controlling the remaining characters. Once the main story is completed, most players don’t return, leading to a decline in interest despite the release of new seasons every few months.

The Lasting Fallout Of “Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League”

Following the game’s failed launch, Warner Bros. suffered losses exceeding $200 million, resulting in nearly half of Rocksteady’s staff being laid off.²⁵Bevan, R. (2025, January 7). Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League Devs Hit With More Layoffs. TheGamer. Within a year, support for the game dwindled. Due to budget constraints, Rocksteady opted to conclude the story with an animated comic narrated by Harley Quinn rather than a fully animated cutscene.

“Lessons For The Future” — Analyzing Mistakes & The Path To Redemption For Rocksteady’s “Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League” (2024)

To avoid repeating Rocksteady’s mistakes, developers must recognize that when creating a superhero game — especially one following a highly praised series — they need a deep understanding of their target audience and what players expect. Rocksteady’s earlier titles thrived by delivering a definitive Batman experience that resonated with fans.

However, this game failed to do the same, as Rocksteady struggled to attract a new audience while alienating its existing fanbase. The reliance on live service mechanics, repetitive gunplay, and unnecessary microtransactions clashed with what longtime fans valued. Worse, the game disregarded the lore and legacy established by the Arkham series.

Once a revered name in both gaming and comic book communities, Rocksteady has tarnished its reputation with a single misstep — one that disrespects over a decade of world-building, alienates its core audience, and diminishes the studio’s legacy.

Footnotes

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  Welcome to Rocksteady Studios. (2024). Rocksteady.
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  Batman: Arkham Asylum – Wikipedia. (2019). Wikipedia.org.
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  Morrison, Grant. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. October. 1989
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  Contributors to Arkham Wiki. “Batman: Arkham Asylum.” Fandom, Inc. Accessed March 4, 2025.
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  Timm, Bruce and Randomski, Eric. Batman: The Animated Series. Warner Bros. Animation
• 16
  Batman: Arkham City. (2011, October 18). Metacritic.com.
• 17
  Goldfarb, A. (2012, February 8). Batman: Arkham City Ships Six Million – IGN. IGN.
• 18
  Stapleton, D. (2015, June 19). Batman: Arkham Knight Review – IGN. IGN.
• 19
  Ayer, David. Director, Suicide Squad, 2016.
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  Tomasi, Peter. Batman: Arkham Knight #4. DC Comics. 18 Nov. 2015.
• 21
  Foster, G. (2024, February 6). Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League Players Hate “Ridiculous” Classic Skin Prices. TheGamer.
• 22
  GamesRadar. (2015, May 5). Here’s what Batman Arkham Knight’s season pass gets you. Gamesradar; GamesRadar+.
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  Bevan, R. (2025, January 7). Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League Devs Hit With More Layoffs. TheGamer.