Story Mode: Pretty fun, was not expecting random mini-games which while were useful in removing some of my foe's health before a round giving me an advantage it was also a double edged sword in that because I didn't know it was coming nor have enough time to understand what was going on and read what buttons to press I'd more often find myself being the victim instead. Overall though the mode was a fun way of learning how to play different characters and the presentation was pretty good, giving a nice cinematic feel. I'm just a little down that, Bane, Grundy and Doomsday weren't really bosses. They were just big dudes.
4 out of 5.
Story: The story was kind of disappointing after being hyped up as "better then MK9's". It's not bad mind you, it's just not good either. It's so okay that it's so-so and does enough to keep me interested but not enough to make me not feel like I'm disconnected from the events going on. Basically it was like a dumb but fun summer block buster film in that it has enough action to keep you going but not a whole lot of depth to keep you thinking about it long after the end credits have gone by. It was just enough to get the job done.
If there is one thing I like it's that Superman came off as a villain I could believe. I know enough about comics to know that they've made him evil before but it was just the generic evil for the sake of being evil kind. Here I could actually believe it cause he isn't trying to be evil, he really thinks that he has to resort to this just to keep us safe, not realizing that ironically he has become our biggest threat.
As for killing Shazam, it's simple really he's been in total control of the world for so long that this combined with the guilt of knowing he killed millions including his wife and unborn baby he is mental unstable and when mentally unstable people have power long enough they on some level start to think of themselves as a god and may not even know that. So when you have someone with a god complex and a lot of power to back up that complex and you upset them they're gonna lash out. Especially if it involves a dead loved one or something they feel guilty about in this case both. Shazam should have kept his mouth shut but being a 12 year old he didn't stop and realize this would not be a good thing to talk about. And as for Ares I got the impression he was sort of manipulating the heroes by telling them some important info about Superman so there would be more conflict to fuel him.
Now I'll admit right here and right now I am by no means an expert on DC Comics, most of the things I know is either from the toons I watched when younger and second hand info from a friend who does read comics. I only have passing knowledge on guys like Nightwing, Raven and Doomsday and don't know jack squat about Doomsday or Green Arrow (though he became a favorite with his witty humor) so my little mini review is not from a DC Comic fan's point of view but from just a general populace point of view.
Despite not knowing who half the cast was it was easy enough for me to get into the story and game so I think that's a good sign that you don't need to be a Teen Titans fan and have an encyclopedia knowledge of who is who to enjoy it.
It could have been better but by that same token it could have easily been worse. I'd say rent it first and if you like it then buy it.
3 out of 5.
EDIT: Another thing that bugs me and I had this problem with MK9 is that at times it feels like only the fighters exist and no other people do. Sure we see signs of normal people and even see them in the background of certain stages but they're all so generic looking that they look like dolls and it just reinforces that weird feeling that only the fighters exist. I'm sorry but most of the "oh shit Earthrealm is being invaded" stuff doesn't come off as suspenseful half the time. Not to say it never does, it felt like something big was happening when Cyber-Sub save some human soldiers but just like MK9, IGAU feels like a big empty world most of the time which is a shame considering how well done the presentation is, sometimes cut-scenes come off as epic when there's a fight and you only notice in the back of your mind that no one is being killed or that the armies are small and there's no civilians running for their lives.
