Info about Injustice™ 2 - Infinite Transforms:

Official game description:
Allows you to Transform Gear without using Source Crystals.

Release date: Mar 27, 2018

Categories: Fighting Game, Character Progression, Equipment Customization, Cosmetic Customization, Microtransactions, DLC, Multiplayer

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 40; verdict: Standard monetization with cosmetic shop and convenience DLC; summary: The game features a cosmetic microtransaction system using Source Crystals for transmogs, with prices that players find high. A paid DLC offers infinite transmogs, which is seen as a must-have to avoid spending on the currency. The monetization is standard with a cosmetic shop and a convenience DLC, but not pay-to-win or gacha.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $8.00
  - Reasoning: The community consistently indicates that the product is only worth purchasing at a discounted price, with the sale price being around $5 (R$30) or lower. The full price is considered too high, and the fair value is tied to the sale price. Thus, a reasonable fair base-game price range is approximately $5–$8 USD, reflecting the price point at which the community feels the product is worth it.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The provided reviews discuss the DLC's value, functionality, and pricing, but none report any playtime hours for Injustice 2. The only mention of hours (360+) refers to Mortal Kombat X, which is a different game and is ignored. Therefore, no playtime metrics can be extracted.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Value-Conscious Cosmetic Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: To customize character appearance without spending real money on premium currency.
    - Playstyle: Plays regularly, likely in a guild, but lacks abundant Source Crystals; seeks cost-effective cosmetic options.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Veteran Completionist (no buy)
    - Motivation: To have all content and gear; the DLC offers nothing new to them.
    - Playstyle: Has unlocked all gears and likely has abundant resources, so the DLC's transmogrification feature is redundant.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Frustrated Bug Victim (no buy)
    - Motivation: To use the DLC feature without additional purchases, but it fails, causing frustration.
    - Playstyle: Attempts to use the DLC's transformation feature but encounters a bug that still requires buying crystals.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- DLC enables free transmogrification (weight 0.97): The DLC removes the cost of Source Crystals for changing gear appearance, allowing unlimited transmogrification. This feature is highlighted as a major benefit across multiple clusters.
- DLC is a must-have (weight 0.38): Reviewers consider the DLC essential because it provides free and unlimited gear appearance changes, which saves resources over time. The value is emphasized as paying for itself eventually.

Common complaints:
- DLC refund and activation issues (weight 0.58): Multiple players report that the DLC cannot be refunded, does not activate after purchase, and sometimes requires verifying game files to work. This indicates a broken purchase experience.
- DLC not worth full price (weight 0.56): Several reviews state the DLC is not worth its full price, especially if the player lacks enough items to benefit from the transformation feature. The value proposition is considered poor.
- Source Crystal costs too high (weight 0.56): Players complain that the in-game Source Crystal cost for transforming gear is exorbitant, with specific examples like 2000 crystals for one transmog. This is seen as a cash grab.
- Skins locked behind crystals (weight 0.46): Not all skins become available after purchasing the DLC; many remain locked and require Source Crystals. This limits the DLC's usefulness.
- Transformation feature limited (weight 0.44): The DLC only allows transforming already owned items to look like other items, and not all appearances are available. This is seen as a restrictive and confusing system.
- Crystal earning is slow (weight 0.25): Source Crystals are earned very slowly, with only 200 per profile level and 3500 weekly from Guild Multiverse, pushing players to buy them with real money.
- Mod makes pack unnecessary (weight 0.14): A mod can directly modify Source Crystals, making the DLC pack unnecessary. This undermines the pack's value for some players.
- Regenerate tokens deleted (weight 0.14): After purchasing the DLC, all regenerate tokens were deleted, which is a negative side effect that players did not expect.
- Gear transformation inconvenient (weight 0.13): The process of changing gear appearance is described as inconvenient and tedious, adding to the frustration with the DLC.
- DLC only removes crystal cost (weight 0.13): The pack only removes the Source Crystal gear cost, but does not unlock all features or make the process easier, which is disappointing.
- New gear requires purchase (weight 0.13): New gear needs to be bought like paint, meaning the DLC does not provide full access to all gear appearances.

Gameplay feedback:
- DLC enables equipment appearance transformation (weight 0.38): The DLC allows players to change the appearance of one equipment piece to another of the same type that has already been collected, effectively transforming owned items to look like other items. This feature swaps appearances without altering attributes.
- Transformation costs Source Crystals without DLC (weight 0.27): The transformation feature costs Source Crystals unless the unlimited transformation option is owned, which is part of the DLC. Without the DLC, gear transformation requires spending Source Crystals.
- Transformation requires owning multiple items (weight 0.16): Using the transformation feature requires owning at least two different pieces of the same equipment type for a character. This ensures the player has both the base item and the desired appearance item.
- Transmogrification requires farming desired items (weight 0.15): To use the appearance transformation, players must farm and drop the desired item to unlock its appearance. This adds a grind element to the feature.
- Gear is replaceable and improvable (weight 0.14): Gear is replaceable as players can always improve their character, suggesting that the transformation feature is not essential for progression. This may reduce the perceived value of the DLC.

Performance notes:
No performancepoints

Recommendations:
- Buy only on sale (weight 0.48): Multiple reviewers suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing this DLC, indicating that the content may not justify its full price. This advice appears in several clusters, reflecting a common sentiment about value.
- Consider if appearance matters (weight 0.34): The DLC is recommended for players who care about character appearance and want to avoid farming Source Crystals. This is a niche but valid use case.
- Not for power players (weight 0.26): Reviewers note that the DLC is not recommended for players who focus on stats rather than appearance, as it offers no gameplay advantage. This suggests the DLC is purely cosmetic.
- Not for outfit completionists (weight 0.15): The DLC does not unlock all character outfits without significant gameplay, so players expecting a shortcut may be disappointed. This is a warning against unrealistic expectations.
- Verify game files (weight 0.14): One reviewer advises verifying the integrity of game files to ensure the DLC works properly, indicating potential installation issues. This is a practical tip for troubleshooting.

Other player notes:
- Monetization feels mobile-like (weight 0.17): Players criticize the DLC pack for adopting monetization practices typical of mobile games, such as aggressive in-app purchases. This approach is seen as predatory and out of place in a full-priced title.
- Game is not free-to-play (weight 0.16): Reviewers point out that despite the mobile-like monetization, the game is not free-to-play, making the additional costs feel unjustified. This contradiction frustrates players who already paid for the base game.
- Game is overpriced (weight 0.16): Reviewers feel the overall cost of the game, especially with the DLC, is too high for the content offered. The price point is a major deterrent for potential buyers.
- Pack excluded from packages (weight 0.16): The DLC pack is not included in either of the available game packages, forcing players to purchase it separately. This is seen as a deliberate money grab and a poor value proposition.
- In-game currency too expensive (weight 0.16): The cost of in-game currency is criticized as excessively high, making progression or cosmetic purchases feel unrewarding. This adds to the perception of a pay-to-win or pay-to-enjoy model.
- DLC often on sale (weight 0.15): The DLC is frequently bundled with the game during sales, which may indicate that the full price is not considered fair. Players might wait for discounts rather than paying full price.
- Longevity of the game (weight 0.15): The game is still being played years after its release, indicating a strong player base and lasting appeal. This longevity is a positive point, but it may be threatened by ongoing monetization issues.
- Comparison to Injustice 2 (weight 0.14): The review draws a comparison to Injustice 2, noting that it was polarizing among players. This suggests that the current DLC may face similar mixed reception due to its monetization and design choices.
- Game philosophy 'Every Battle Defines You' (weight 0.13): The game's tagline emphasizes that each battle shapes the player's identity, which is a positive aspect. However, this philosophy is undermined by monetization that can shortcut progression.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.36): Players are frustrated because the DLC often fails to activate or work after purchase, and the advertised feature to transform equipment without crystals does not function. The high cost of source crystals and the perceived cash-grab nature of the pack, combined with a tedious gear appearance change process, add to the frustration. Some also feel cheated when the pack still prompts purchases or when a free mod can achieve the same result.
- Disappointment (weight 0.21): Players are disappointed because the DLC does not deliver the expected value for its price, particularly failing to allow changing skins or gear appearance from all appearances as initially thought. Many feel the DLC does nothing meaningful, making it not worth the full price.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Players are satisfied because the DLC enables changing equipment appearance and removes the need to spend crystals for gear appearance transformation. The unlimited transmogs are seen as a long-term value that pays for itself over time.
- Confusion (weight 0.07): Players are confused because the DLC does not work after purchase, and the method of using the DLC is unclear. The lack of clear instructions or functionality leaves users puzzled about how to use it.
- Anger (weight 0.07): Players are angry because the gear did not transform as expected, and new gear still needs to be bought. The DLC also failed to unlock all skins as promised, breaking trust and causing frustration.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): Players are annoyed because the DLC does not do what they expected it to do, leading to a sense of wasted money and unmet expectations.
- Disgust (weight 0.04): Players are disgusted by the overpriced game and the micro-transaction practices, which they see as exploitative and unfair.
- Regret (weight 0.04): Players regret purchasing the DLC, indicating that the purchase was a mistake and did not provide the expected benefits.
- Relief (weight 0.04): Players feel relief because the DLC makes gear transformation free, removing the need to spend crystals and easing the financial burden of customization.
- Distress (weight 0.04): Players are distressed because all regenerate tokens were deleted after purchase, causing a loss of valuable in-game items and a sense of unfairness.}