by Laurel Queen

Created on: May 06, 2008

City of Heroes/Villains is a MMO that allows you to create a superhero out of your own imagination. Though it only caters to a small niche audience, it does well compared to behemoths like World of Warcraft. While City of Heroes/Villains doesn't have the massive playerbase like WoW, it brings other things to the table that other games just can't. First, you get to make your own superhero. Not some cheap knock-off of a well-known comic book hero-your own creation, from top to bottom. With many powerset choices, you can get pretty close if not dead on to what you imagine.

The costume creator is unrivaled in the game industry at this time. With literally thousands of combinations to choose from, the options are mind-boggling and creatively freeing. Many people will spends hours tinkering to get that perfect look for their character. With most other games giving you limited, if no options for how your character looks, the option for complete individuality is seductive.

With an easy-going game system, it is friendly to 'casual' and first-time gamers. With the simple 'point and click' system (you point your mouse at the desired target, then click the power to use), City of Heroes/Villains offers a fast learning curve, and immediate gratification. No slogging away for hours to get just a tiny bit closer to the next elusive weapon, spell or costume piece.

The playerbase of City of Heroes/Villains tends to be mostly mature, good-natured folks. A lot of parents and working people tend to play. While there are stinkers in the mix, they tend to be scarcer than in some other games.

The developers of City of Heroes remained loyal through a company hand-off, and constantly strive to improve their baby. With recent staff increases, the future for the City of franchises looks bright. With more staff, the developers are ambitiously tackling long-standing problems with the game (various bugs and quality of life issues, like typos) and adding new shinies, like more powersets and more costume pieces.

However, City of does have its problems as well. While they're working on some long-standing bugs, others still remain ingame, with no estimated time for a fix. Missions in the game are extremely repetitive. There are a set number of mission maps, and a limited number of mission 'types' (rescues, defeat all, and recover stolen goods) the missions soon blend together in a monotonous blur. But that can be offset by teaming, and new people will keep it lively. While it is technically possible to solo with any character, some definitely have an easier time of it, and leveling can be painful in the higher levels. But that's true of any game, really. And at least it's possible to just pop on, do a mission or two, then log off with no penalties.

Overall, City of Heroes/Villains is a solid game. While not for everyone, nothing beats being able to fly around, doing good (or evil, depending on your personal preference). It does have its low points, but the developers on the game are always active, and always trying to improve it. So even if it doesn't float your boat this month, I'd check back in three or four months...you'd never know what might of changed.

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