Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Thoughts from a Veteran MMO Player.
djcincy
Member UncommonPosts: 146
This post is merely a list of my opinions about the game and is intended to give others the chance to research it for themselves. After brushing off this game as another predestined failure I decided to do research on the title and found it inspiring enough to purchase it.
Summary
Game looks to be a finished product at launch.
At launch game will have end game raid content.
First super hero MMO to correctly use loot and items.
Game at launch has zero crafting, which is a plus considering it would be hard to fit into the genre. Also consider this a plus because developers did not try to force into game to fit the mmo requirement.
Quest are put into a storyline development for your character making the grind to end game more enjoyable.
Has the real feel of creating a character in the DC Universe and experiencing that universe up close and personal.
Huge IP allowing for years of additional content and expansions.
Has the true feel of becoming a super, travel is fast and robust, flying is not limited by a fly-o-meter that only allows you to fly two blocks.
Graphics are robust and well programmed, allowing older systems to play the game.
UI, servers, and controls differ in the PC and PS3. We don't have the fail UI system of Final Fantasy forcing PC players to use a system made for consoles.
PVP content completely developed allowing for both open world and arena style combat. PVP elementals also reflected in talent builds and items.
Side note: Because this game is based in the DC Universe there has been a lot of talk from the developers about character made super heroes appearing in the comics. I find this to be very intriguing and the possibilities that this particular IP offer seems to be endless.
Full Thoughts
.............................
To be honest with you the moment i heard about DC Universe I never gave the game a chance. First the game is made by SOE, which in my opinion is almost as bad as NCsoft when it comes to their MMO's. Don't get me wrong, I have played both eq2 and everquest which was the game that got me into MMO's back almost 11 years ago. But SOE hasn't seem to adapt with times. Well it seems like now they have and I think a large reason is that Warner brothers and DC comics are behind the project. They have the financial backing and a huge IP to create a game that can easily last 10 years with yearly expansions and content updates. The fact they pushed back the release is even better because they want to release the game as close to perfect as they can. They don't want to fall into the pitfalls of previous mmo's and release a product that doesn't hold subscribers and ruin any chance of future revenue.
First and foremost I am a fantasy mmo guy. I fell in love with the genre because of everquest and have continue to love the fantasy genre today. So when I saw DCUO my first thought was, champions and city of heroes. Don't get me wrong I loved city of heroes for the bit of time I played it, but it lacked one thing that I believe is essential to a games survival. End game content and item progression. DCUO has done a great job at introducing loot to the superhero genre in a way that just works and allows multiple levels of character progression. Add pvp into that mix and it adds the final piece to the puzzle.
The last thing I wanted to comment on was the action feel of combat. Now only time will tell if this is successful but I think this is the next step in the evolution of mmo's. While it may not be suitable for every genre, I think the concept is much more sound than simply putting on auto attack and mashing buttons. In fact I think that more games would have done it previously if technology would have allowed it. Because latency is not an issue for most players today it allows mmo's to progress to real time combat. Combine this with awesome graphics that are programed well enough to run on most systems and we have a winner. In fact everyone Ive talked to that has played the game has loved the action feel of it and I have heard very little complaints.
Comments
I also preordered for many of the same reasons. Looking forward to launch
Originally posted by djcincy
Summary
the same goes for pretty much every hyped mmorpg. you simply can't know if its gonna be finished, but using common sense and taking all other mmorpg launches as example, there is at least a 99% probability, that DC will be unfinished and bugged as every other mmorpg that has been launched so far.
again, hype. you simply can't know what this game is gonna have at launch. Age of Conan praised its instances and end game content before launch, BUT 2 out of 3 end game instances were bugged as hell, or unplayble.
City of Heroes or Champions Online got loot and items. Of course you don't equip armor or weapons, just some enchantments. Because once you equip those things, your Hero will lose its unique appeareance and thats a pretty important factor in a hero based mmorpg. If all the guys wear T1/T2/Bla you won't be able differ, nor does it fit to a hero image.
Why is lack of content a plus? They simply didnt make it in time. Most, if not every mmorpg had a crafting system at launch.
Hype? Who knows? An objective view is not possible, since nobody was able to play it and review in a neutral way.
A lot of MMORPGs have pretty advanced character creation system. Its nothing special nowadays.
Huge IP doesn't mean much. Best example is Star Trek. Failed horribly, even tho its the holy Stark Trek.
City of Heroes and Champion Onlines, both have all travel powers you clould imagen for a super hero. Flight without limitation, super jump, port, underearth movement and so on and on an on..
Again: Hyped. You simply can't know how well or bad the game will run. Its not being released yet. The graphics doesn't look special for this generation of MMORPGs. Its even comparable to Champion Online, which is 2 years old now. Tera or Blade n Soul have better graphics.
How could you know that? You know what they said about Aion? The next great PvP mmorpg hope? Yeah. It failed, it failed so miserably most pro gaming clans cancled it after the first month. A mmorpg simply cant have a balanced PvP system at launch. You need a lot of tests, huge amount of player feedback to reach a state where PvP is somewhat balanced
Your opinion is not an objective one and by far nothing that a vetaran would write. If you learn something from MMORPG launches is that most start off pretty bad. They are bugged, unbalanced and not ready. It's all about the hype. But as long as you keep your expectations low, it won't hurt that bad in the end.
last note: A vetaran, would review a MMORPG after playing it for 1-2 months. He/She would compare it to other mmorpgs and define if its worth it to play this game or not. All you do in your post is "reviewing the hype" and of course nobody will tell you something negative about a game that is going to be released soon.
perhaps it was initial thoughts and didn't need to be nitpicked like a madman. good lord, it's someone's opinion. and why would someone make their own opinion objective?
Yeah, I agree. That person went overboard to some how devalue the original posters opinion. Somehow that person's opinion was much more important than the others and they're the consumate veteran that they think the original poster isn't.
Bad form.
I hope this post will inspire others that are overlooking this title to do the research themselves and not overlook this title. The last thing the mmo community needs at this point is not financially supporting games that are progressing the genre and making games we should pay for. Keep and eye out for the open beta and make your judgement of the game based off that.
I am somewhat critical to add loot and itemization to the superhero genre. You don't see superman or Batman get exited about loot, comics is more about personal development, skills and powers than items even if exceptions exist.
Not that CoX or CO did that part very well.
Of course what a successful MMO boils down to is just how fun it is, and if the game is indeed fun it might become a huge success so I am not writing it off just because how it handles items but I will try the game out before considering to buy it.
I can admit that Gotham city is an awesome setting for a MMO, if I play it I will be one of the Jokers henchmens...
I think items are a bit more critical to mmo's than they are to superhero's
. MMO's are because of layers of progression, as long as there are levels, raids, items, and achievements for players to get, they typically don't get bored. For me one of the largest turnoffs for city of heroes was the lack of end game content and meaningful loot. I played the game for about 6 months and it turned stale for me.
Superman or Batman not excited about loot!?!? Have you ever seen illustrations of the Batcave or the Fortress of Solitude? Those two guys are biggest trophy hunters in the DCU!
I was about to say...my little sister has all of batman's super powers besides his loot (she's an acrobat and a kickboxing teacher).
"Never met a pack of humans that were any different. Look at the idiots that get elected every couple of years. You really consider those guys more mature than us? The only difference between us and them is, when they gank some noobs and take their stuff, the noobs actually die." - Madimorga
How can crafting not fit the genre, but looting items from fallen villains to increase a superheros power somehow fit and be something done right?
The following is my take on the loot system:
As a brand-new hero or villian who has just broken out of Braniac's hold, you are off to make a name for yourself. For story purposes, you are taking "loot" from your conquered foes and attempting to make a name and likeness for yourself. The stats on the gear, just like aquired powers, are a representation of your growth as a hero/villian.
Would Batman take Harley's jester cap when he defeats her? No, but I would in a heartbeat.
I want a mmorpg where people have gone through misery, have gone through school stuff and actually have had sex even. -sagil
Me personally, I wouldn't feel very super having to sit around a crafting station for hours making breakfast bars and nano bots. Bat man is one of the biggest gadget hero's to ever hit the pages of a comic book, but most of the time you don't see him hand crafting batrangs and all his other goodies. This game is supposed to be an action mmorpg and while some may enjoy crafting, i still don't see how it would fit the genre. Looting on the other hand can be done correctly and add another element to the game. It just adds another element to character progression that otherwise would be lacking and gives players the ability to continually develop their characters.
Very well put.
2nd I'm all about fantasy mmorpg you say you are too I don't see how superhero mmorpg apply to you then.
3rd you said champions online and city of heroes don't have end game, how you know DCU have? You said you just got it.
Anyways I'm not hating on DCU might actually be an awesome game but can't play a mmorpg unless is fantasy one.
You are using game cannon to say one thing doesn't fit, but then overlooking that same aspect and juding another by game mechanics to justify its existance.
There are plenty of examples of superheroes who tinker, invent and create items they use. Somewhat common I would say.
I can't think of many heros that run around defeating their enemies and equipping their costume pieces in order to make a name for themselves or to become better at using their powers.
Maybe crafting doesn't fit in the game, but I think the same reasons for that apply to looting items from villains and heroes. Neither really make sense as far as theme of the game.
1st.... i can compare it to final fantasy because both mmo's ui's were created for consoles and to date are really the mmo's that were offered on consoles.
2nd... I am a mmo player who is rooted in fantasy mmo's which is 90% of the genre. I don't really see how your coming to the conclusion that I cannot have an opinon on a superhero mmo. Most of us are huge superhero fans, played coh and champs, and love mmo's... this entire 2nd point is just retarded, learn to think.
3rd... DCUO have already announced pre launch atleast 2 end game raid zones and raid size limits.
Actually, your last post turned me off to anything you have to say. When you resort to "FAIL" as a rebuttal, you have zero credibility.
And um....when did they lift the NDA? Because, posting this review is a direct violation of that. But I'm sure you have permission right?!
Of course everyone is getting hung up on everything but the reason of this post. It wasn't to debate the merits of not including crafting and the loot system. It was a post to help inform the readers of the announced content of the game that swayed my initial disregard for the game. That being said I will indulge another's opinion and rebut with this.
The majority of super heroes are not tinkers, they do exist but most of them have a supporting role that supplies the items they use. I am not trying to debate that super characters do develop items, but rather the logic of having players mass produce the items they use for powers. Crafting doesn't seem like a concept that would fit well into a action mmorpg superhero genre, some may disagree but thats my initial take on it and I personally wouldn't want to force feed it to the entire community to fill some sort of ritualistic need of mmo players.
On the topic of loot, I think that this particular addition does fit the mmo need of player progression. This particular need is more so the need of a mmo than the dc universe. But who's to say whats wrong or right in the dc universe. If I were a new superhero battling joker and upon defeat he had a set of battle armor that made me more super, logic demands that I would use it. Just because this doesn't take place on the pages of a comic book doesn't mean it makes it completely out of the realm of logic that it would take place in the mmo world.
But this boils down to shear opinions, I simply provided the information and my take on it. This OP was designed to informed someone who has not invested any time into researching this game. My opinion on these components of the game are irrelevant, But there is a list of things that will be included with the game at launch. Not your cup of tea? don't play the game or discuss, you aren't changing the developers minds, your simply wasting time.
My rebuttal was far from just the usage of fail, what was fail was having to respond to such a long post from someone obviously trolling. Altho I do applaud you for trolling in a much more time efficient manner. Everything on this post is the result of research from demo's and announced information on the game. This doesn't violate NDA because the information is readily available to anyone who wants to research this title. Nice try tho.
And just incase you missed the actual rebuttal of Goaxin I put my responses in after each of his, i just didn't quote each individually.
1st.... i can compare it to final fantasy because both mmo's ui's were created for consoles and to date are really the mmo's that were offered on consoles.
2nd... I am a mmo player who is rooted in fantasy mmo's which is 90% of the genre. I don't really see how your coming to the conclusion that I cannot have an opinon on a superhero mmo. Most of us are huge superhero fans, played coh and champs, and love mmo's... this entire 2nd point is just retarded, learn to think.
3rd... DCUO have already announced pre launch atleast 2 end game raid zones and raid size limits.
I'm entitled to my opinion to and I find all 3 points you mentioned completely retarded."Veteran" learn not to insult!!!
[1]
It all depends on how a crafting system is implemented. Craftin, just like loot acquisition, is a staple mmo feature. Just like most super heroes do not tinker, most mmo players do not craft. No one needs be forced to do anything if the system is done right and there isn't some unbreakable code the forces crafting systems to revolve around grinding hundreds of useless items.
[2]
MMO mechanic or not, looting fits the theme of a superhero game even less than crafting does by a very wide degree. If looting battle suits from enemies makes sense for a super hero to do why wouldn't that same logic apply to heros working on new weapons or whatever? Saying just because it doesn't happen in comic books,but somehow feels right in a super hero game is a strange stance to have, but go for it I guess.
[3]
We are both just expressing our opinions on the information you presented. What would possibly make you think I am trying to change the minds of the game developers by having a discussion with you? Are you really a game developer astro turfing on a popular mmo site and that is why you feel this way?
Lol...excellent point. I wouldn't be surprised if Batman had a necklace of ears squirrelled away somewhere.
Yes, just the usage of "FAIL" as a single word sentence discredited your entire rant IMO. You used it on someone who took issue with your OP - rather than explain, you went for the old "FAIL" argument. Nice lol.
guess you're right too. So much of your post was speculation, that you really haven't violated the NDA.