City of Heroes

"Finally.. An MMORPG that is fun."

I've been playing MMORPGs for a while now. Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies, etc... The thing with MMORPGs is once you first get the game you're addicted.. There seems to be limitless things to do and plenty of people to play with.. But that feeling passes.. Quickly.

The real fact with MMORPGs is they are NOT fun. They are very complex, and they are work. After you spend dozens of hours trying to gain up one skill by killing the same annoying alien over and over again you start to realize, "Why aren't I getting paid to do this?" Oh, that's right.. Because you're paying THEM to let you work. No matter how you face it, it's just like having a second job.. The environment just changes.

With City of Heroes you are brought to a new game entirely. There is no complex system of gameplay. All you need to know is this: Find enhancements, use them to make your powers stronger, now kill. That's it. While leveling up may seem hard past 15 rest assured it's not WORK at all. I gain levels so quickly because I'm not even thinking about it... I'm just killing things all day.. It's FUN. You're a Super Hero, with super hero powers.... THIS is how work should be.

Another unique element this game brought to MMORPGs is Pool Powers. Once you reach level 14 you have a set to choose from: Super Speed, Super Leaping, Telporting, and even.. Yes, FLYING. Soaring around the city is fun. I could pretty much do that all day. While flying the graphics are simply amazing. The game looks and plays out just like a comic book.

One unique aspect I thought was the diversity in missions. In many MMORPGs, you find yourself doing the same boring mission over and over again. Like in Galaxies, you'll go on a Bounty Hunter mission terminal to kill the Ord Mantell Bomber.. Wait.. Didn't I kill him five times today? In CoH each mission links with one another, and the best part of it.. YOU are part of the story. I was hunting some Robots and when I got to the boss I found out he was PROGRAMMED to terminate me. Pretty cool.

I think the costume system is great. There is pretty much no limit to what you can make your character look like. The only downside is I think they should have added more for the Coat section. Like a duster, or a trench coat or something. Though it is a new game, they might update it in the future.

The Role Playing in this game is better then any MMORPG I've ever seen. Of course, you have to go on the Virtue server.. But everywhere you turn RP will be going on. Also with this game, you can make MULTIPLE CHARACTERS on ONE SERVER. It's about time..

Also, you get a monthly City of Heroes comic in the mail. You may even see your character in it... Cool.

All in all this is the first MMORPG that is actually a game instead of mental labor. Even if you hate MMORPGs (As I did.) give it a try. You'll be ultimately impressed.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/12/04