Zero Punctuation: DC Universe Online

[K^2]

I really can't claim to be an expert on Superman, but based on the first two movies and a few cartoons I've seen back when I was a kid, I'm under impression that Superman only flies in Visual Flight Rules meteorological conditions, and so isn't required to file a flight plan. If the weather turns foggy, I can only assume that he either takes a break from crime-fighting or catches a cab.

 

[messy]

This made me laugh, the philosophy line was pretty good and the Da Vinci one.

 

[WilliamRLBaker]

I'll just go back to Mortal Kombat vs. DCU thank you...or I take that back I'll go to a DVD boxset of the Justice League.

If your gonna wish for something make it big...like the adventures of superman, and the adventures of batman, then the justive league since they are all tied into together and things just aren't complete unless you have them all...

 

[T0bias]

http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/02/23/dc-universe-online-interview-part-3-characters-and-heroes/

I know there are a lot of people who want to make a specific character, maybe you have a character concept in your head. There are other comic hero MMOs that create power sets that have no powers because it lets people do certain things. We are looking at it, but what it comes down to is that there are two types of people playing DCUO: those who want to create a specific character concept and that?s more important than the game play or cosmetic variety, and those who want rocking gameplay and abilities that tie together. That?s the spectrum: I don?t think players are one way or the other, you?re somewhere between that.

For us, the developers, we?re staying towards the gameplay more than anything, because adding a new Power type is the biggest change we can make in the game. A new power type affects literally everything we do. So our options are either give you a Power set that really isn?t very different because that?s the only safe way to add to it (giving you something that you already have and put different effects on it). Those character concept guys [want that sort of thing]: they?re like, ?I don?t care if it?s different, at least cosmetically, I can get more into my character.?

The other alternative (on the gameplay-leaning side) is to say, ?Hey, if we?re going to add more powers (and we will), let?s do it as totally different powers that feel different and provide different gameplay choices.? I think our weapons show how different we try to make things. Two-handed feels very different than Bow or Dual-wield and the rest. We?re trying to strike that balance [between new types and truly different types], and I think we?re always leaning on the gameplay side of those options. I?m not trying to stretch the answer out, but it?s really about different people playing the game and a lot of different points of expectation that they?re going to have. And we are always going to err on the side of things that makes the gameplay rock and gives it tactical combos and tactical multiplayer choices, rather than just trying to satisfy a player?s specific type of hero/villain concept.

This is why DCUO is the only MMO worth playing.

 

[Joshica Huracane]

I found that this game had a lot of flaws (mainly loading times, voice chat [on the ps3] and not much detail in the creation aspect) but overall, I'm enjoying it thoroughly. Can't put my finger on why exactly...

 

[Soak]

I know why i stopped playing mmorpgs (grindgrindgrind)... also my threesome would be with Catwoman and Poison Ivy, i like "bad girls" *rawr*

 

[Zack84]

Yep, this looks like pure crap. Glad I'm not some pathetic comic book reader who might actually be disappointed by this game.

Now Portal 2, there's something I'm anxiously awaiting.

 

[Sleepnir]

Wow, the sheer number of people who blindly (yet so happily) drink from the teat of Yahtzee's opinions is kind of amazing. Guys, these reviews are meant to be entertaining--informative is second on the list, if even that. Draw your own opinions instead of dumbly nodding along to whatever you're told, even if it by a hilarious though irreversibly jaded and cynical Aussie. Many times Yahtzee reviews games so quickly that his conclusions are drawn from very partial information; a lot of the complaints here are just plain wrong.

The people complaining about its costume creation: The game intentionally starts you with fewer costume parts than CoH. Why? Because you actually COLLECT costume parts from the armor you find (yes, actual armor, not like CoH where all you get are incredibly dull specific-power enhancements), so your appearance is actually a badge of what you've found or earned. And, unlike WoW or 99% of MMOs where you are forced to continue wearing the item to keep its look, you set the appearance of your armor parts separately from what's actually equipped--so if you think some level 1 armor looks badass, you can keep its look while keeping your actual armor top notch. As far as I know, no other game besides EQ2 and DCUO does this, and it's fantastic for character customization--your appearance evolves but only as you earn AND want it to.

People complaining about combat: The combat in DCUO is far more fluid and timing-based than almost any MMO out there. Yeah, in early levels you can get away with spamming the same combo over and over. Fight something harder (Alert bosses, Wanted poster baddies, endgame mobs, PVP) and you'll realize you need to time your defensive powers or blocking (<--massively underused) expertly to avoid getting utterly destroyed. Plus your energy regeneration scales up as your hit combo goes up, so you HAVE to alternate between weapon attacks and powers--stick to just one and you're either drained or putting out really poor dps. The PVP especially is amazing, because blocking and timing are CRUCIAL. Spam your attack combos against someone blocking and YOU take a bunch of damage and get knocked down, and the blocking guy destroys you while you get up. Spam powers thinking you'll get an easy kill and you're immediately drained of energy and totally useless. The game's definitely not fully balanced yet--but then again, WoW's how many years old, and still not balanced? While DCUO is <2 months old.

People complaining about lack of environment: Agreed, CoH had (and has) this same problem. Cities are pretty boring. But the inclusion of superbly crafted Races for each super movement type makes them wonderfully interactive (again, unlike 99% of MMOs out there), Alerts that take you to the moon, to Area 51, inside Arkham Asylum, etc, add a good chunk of variety. And why complain about flying over areas? If Yahtzee feels like flying takes away from the environment... don't choose flight. Stick to the ground and check it out while moving just as fast. Some of his complaints make no sense.

TL;DNR: DCUO is by no means perfect. But is a wonderfully unique and honestly fun game, especially this briefly after launch (and I don't know diddly about DC comics). What, you never played it and just ruled by Yahtzee's critique? Or stopped 15 minutes in, judging the entire game by your woefully insufficient and biased experience? Think I found your problem.

PS: That story==shitting analogy was indeed the shit. One of the best.

 

[Waif]

I really don't get the appeal of superhero based MMO's. I can't imagine what would be so exciting to play them for. Hmm...

 

[huckleberryhound]

I'm still enjoying this game, new quest have dried up of late...is there a site where i can find out how to get more?

 

[willychong8921]

I now found out that there is no point to play a game that created a hero only to overshadowed by existing superhero. Those idiot bunch who found that their own superhero is far too precious become punching bags for user create superhero. Yeah, we should have hero or villains that beat up Superman or Jokers,and have threesome with Wonderwoman and another Wonderwoman!

 

[Phoenix8541]

I would still rather see a cleaned up re-release of the 2D fighter than re-invent the wheel.