Injustice 2 introduces Firestorm and micro-transactions
WB Games and NetherRealm Studios have revealed the latest addition to the Injustice 2 roster with Firestorm. In the gameplay trailer below we see Firestorm begin a fight with The Green Arrow and various other combatants, and also keep a look out for Killer Croc in the sewers as Catwoman goes for a little trip.
Also, as the heading of this article suggests, Injustice 2 will be having micro-transactions, the free-to-play premium content that has evolved from mobile games looks like it has no intentions of going away even in AAA full-price titles, sadly. Source Crystals are the in-game currency of Injustice 2 and in the games defence; they can only be used to acquire cosmetics for your favourite characters and will not give you any kind of tactical or gameplay advantage (apparently). In Injustice 2, Source Crystals are acquired using real-world money.
Source Crystals can also be used to forge gear into other pieces of gear, and can even change a Premiere Skin entirely for example, Supergirl’s iconic outfit can be changed into Powergirl’s outfit, but as WB Games likes to stress “The Premiere Skin change is only visual.”
Source Crystals can also be used to level-up characters. From what a can gather via the official forum, is that you can only level-up a character, once another character has reached an organic level via gameplay and story progression. For example “once you level a character up to Level 20, you can use Source Crystals to level up other characters to 20” Albeit, it seems that as your characters level-up, it would only give you access to certain cosmetics (maybe).
We already know that you’ll be able to customise your favourite characters move-set to make them unique to you. So if you unlock new movies via story/online battle progression, wouldn’t that be enhancing gameplay to favour you if Source Crystals are used to level-up faster? This is of course all speculation on my part and I might very well be completely wrong, only time will tell in that respect.
You can make your own mind up as to what kind of impact Source Crystals will have on the game from the FAQ provided below via the WB Games community forum.
Injustice 2 will release for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on May 19th.
SOURCE CRYSTALS FAQ
• What are Source Crystals and how do I earn them?Source Crystals are in-game currency that can be purchased for real money through the PSN and Xbox One stores. They’re used to purchase visuals or time savers for the game only.
• What can I get with Source Crystals?
You can purchase Premiere Skins for select characters, Shaders for character costumes, and the ability to take a character to level 20 after you’ve levelled up a character to 20 prior. You can also unlock Transform Gear with Source Crystals allowing you to combine and forge Gear for your characters.
• Do I have to pay for Source Crystals?
Yes, real money is used to purchase Source Crystals.
• What do you mean when you say Source Crystals can save time?
After you’ve levelled a character up to the max level of 20, you can use Source Crystals to take another character of your choosing to level 20. This can only be done if you already have a character at level 20. Also, some Premiere Skins and Shaders are unlockable in the game via gameplay or if you want to save time, you can purchase them directly with Source Crystals.
• Do Source Crystals give me an advantage in the game?
No, Source Crystals will not give you or other players an advantage in the game. They are used for cosmetic options and time saving purposes only. To be clear, we value our community and want to confirm that you cannot “pay to win” in Injustice 2.
• How much do Source Crystals cost?
Prices for Source Crystals will be communicated at a later date.