DC Universe Online is a new MMORPG from Sony Online Entertainment, released in January 2011. The game is built around the confrontation between well-known superheroes and supervillains from the comic book world. Until November 1, 2011, it was available through a subscription, and after that – through the now popular ‘free to play’ system.
So, what does the world of DC Universe Online represent? First of all, it features large areas that include several fictional, but long-familiar cities for comic book fans and gamers: Metropolis, Smallville, Gotham City, the Fortress of Solitude, Area 51, and so on. Players choose a side to participate in: If you prefer fair and relatively good characters, choose the heroes’ side. If you find the ideals and values of superheroes boring, choose the villains’ side and fight against global goodness. There are quite a lot of both, so there is plenty to choose from. Essentially, this is one of the best comic book hero games, as it features almost all characters, if not all, familiar to everyone since childhood.
From the very beginning of the game, users are given the opportunity to choose the appearance of their hero. This includes both the costume as a whole and small details that will favorably highlight your hero among others. There is a wide selection of helmets and the option to apply various inscriptions and symbols; moreover, during the game, new armor elements can be found and used to decorate your superhero.
Every player must also choose a basic ability and a role in the team for their character. The basic ability refers to the element of superpower that will practically become the player’s main non-melee weapon. For example, one superhero may throw fireballs at enemies, while another can use the power of cold to freeze opponents. The role in the team generally refers to the standard MMORPG procedure – some choose the ‘tank’ role (with lots of health and armor), some ‘healer’ (can heal teammates), and others ‘damage dealer’ (with weak armor and health but devastating damage).
Unfortunately, players cannot play as well-known characters; they can only become a pupil of a certain villain. For champions of good and justice – feel free to become a pupil of Superman. For lovers of mischief and villainy – sign up as Joker’s pupil. There are a total of six mentors in the game – three for each side.
One of the main distinctions of DC Universe Online from most other MMORPGs is character leveling. For those who love to ‘farm’ mobs, there isn’t much to do here. The most experience is given solely for completing quests. So, you will have to complete tasks anyway if you don’t want to slow down in character development.