PC Review - Champions Online

Overview: The spiritual successor to City of Heroes, Champions Online is the newest MMO released by Cryptic. The game takes place in the colorful and robust world of the pen and paper RPG after which it is named. To be honest, I haven't read too much into the setting, all I know is it's fresh, original and awesome! Even though the Champions RPG is an established franchise, to the average gamer who's coming into it cold, it's still a wonderful experience. Everything feels new and authentic. New heroes, personalities and environs, combined with some of the most engaging and innovative gameplay in an MMO to come in a long time.

As I've said before, I'm far from being a devoted comic fan (though if my budget and space allowed I'd read far more manga than I have). However, when it comes to PC and video games, original Superhero themed titles are the ultimate diamonds in the rough. I love this theme, as it is one of the most unused and underappreciated in all the various genres. We've all played knights, or wizards, or space marines, or starship captains. But an original superhero we create with our own imagination, is a rare and awesome experience. Champion Online nails that perfectly.

Story: The story starts you off in an isolated section of Millenium City. It's under attack by an alien race called the Quelar, insectoid creatures bent on causing destruction. Your first few levels will be earned fighting them back as you make your way to a climactic final battle inside the Champions building (basically, the city's HQ for heroes).

It's a great, dramatic way to start the game. It gives you a chance to get familiar with your character's abilities, and provides a seamless, interactive tutorial to the basics.

Playing through Champions really makes you feel like a hero. Citizens will rush up to you and praise your accomplishments. Soldiers and law enforcement will cheer you as you arrive to the scene to save the day. The environment is always changing, so you'll find yourself in a variety of different locales, fighting powerful, distinct enemies. It goes far beyond the scope of the more self contained areas of City of Heroes.

There's almost a sense of worldwide chaos and urgency. Radioactive mutants and ghosts run rampant around a desert. Terrorist organizations and secret experiments are transpiring in the Canadian north. And all that before you even get to the sprawling city. After the invasion, you're sent to either Snake Gulch or Canada (you can eventually quest in both) before accessing the entirety of Millenium.

I haven't played too far into the game yet. Even the first couple of stages before the city are world's unto themselves (and I've been busy running my guild (aka Super Group) as well, not to mention getting sucked into the frighteningly awesome character creator.) so I don't know if there's an overall plot arc that ties everything together. So far, it's been somewhat episodic, which feels right. Going from place to place and solving the crimes there makes me feel like I'm living in my own comic book series. Interestingly, the story will get personal. Not only will you play as your hero, but you'll create your own Nemesis for him to fight. Which was a wonderful addition. A good hero has to have a good villain, and Cryptic hasn't overlooked that.

Gameplay: The gameplay is in a word, incredible. It is by far the most exciting, fast paced and engaging I've ever played in any MMO. The closest thing I can compare it to is the battle system in Guild Wars, and even that comparison can't do justice to the hectic, incredible pace of Champions combat. There are die hards to the tired cool down, round based system that will probably stick adamamently to that format. But honestly, I think they're missing out. Champions combat should be the new standard for MMOs to come. For once, playing doesn't feel like a light chore. Dare I say, it's actually fun.

Rather than force you into a predictable, sequential ritual that is so often the mainstay of every other MMO, Champions Online takes an almost fighting game like approach. Now to be honest, you will likely find your own combos that you'll no doubt use over and over again, as you vanquish mobs of foes. But, the way the combat is designed is always keeping you on your toes, forcing you to adapt to the situation at hand and keeping you engaged. You open up a fight by starting some light, energy building attacks. Like a rage meter in a fighting game, as your energy bar goes up, you can use more powerful attacks. Every encounter builds up from light punches or snap shots, to city block destroying super moves. It's dramatic, it's fun and it's exciting. I never felt like I was just staring at my avatar whack away at an enemy as it stood in one spot.


XP is earned at a fairly brisk pace compared to other MMORPGs. In a way, this is a good thing. The relatively light grind (as compared to that of a game like World of Warcraft). is a relief to casual gamers. But hardcore players may be disappointed. The level cap goes up to 40. And considering the rate at which you level up, at least to around 20, you'll probably want to pace yourself as you play. Maybe have a couple of alts to work on. In fact, and not to get too involved, you can choose one of three crafting areas: science, msyticism and arms. So why not create a character for each? I was adverse to having more than a couple of characters, but considering the casual friendly nature of the game, three may be just right.

In addition to the PVE content, there is an arena based PVP component. Supposedly, there is an open PVP environment, giving a no hold barred warzone for fueding heroes to duel it out. Even do gooders can have their rivalies. There's plenty to offer the competitive player. In addition there is a slew of achievements to earn, and items to unlock. There's something for everyone. Cryptic seems to have done a remarkable job at taking what they did with City of Heroes and making it better and deeper in every way.

Graphics: The graphics in Champions are top notch, and the artistic style that was taken with the game couldn't have been more perfect. Although some of the effects can be too much of a good thing. The cel shading, vibrant shades and special effects come as close to bringing a comic book to life as possible. The lighting is among some of the best I've seen in any game. However, some characters can look a little too plastic. Much of this may have to do with how you build your character. Leather and metallic textures can make a hero look a little too shiny.

For the most part, the visuals are awesome. This is probably a good section of the review to go over something that's worth the price of admission alone - the most detailed, flexible character creation system in any MMORPG ever. I don't think there is an MMO that can come remotely close to what Champions allows you to do. The only other title with this much user customization I can think of was Spore. Going over the creator in every gory detail would be worth an entire article alone. Suffice it to say, if you can think it, chances are more likely than not you can create it. I've seen everything from kung-fu warriors, to strange alien beings, and anthropomorphic characters.

Traversing the game world and seeing the creativity and uniqueness in the player made heroes is one of the game's most charming and enjoyable experiences. You really get the sense that every individual player-hero is a distinct, storied character. There are no clones here, no toons derived from a finite set of avatars laden with whatever gear they happen to pick up. The game is like one part RPG, and one part costume contest.


Music and Sound: The music is varied and dramatic, sounding like the kind of scores you hear in action movies. Sound effects feature everything you'd expect from a game as varied as this. Swords slash and scrape with a satisfying metallic ring. Guns blare out as they spit bullets at their targets. Weird sounds emanate from telepathic powers, you get the idea. There is probably as much SFX as there are powers, and there are a lot.

Superheroes battling a towering mech in a city street. I'm sold!

Conclusion: I try to be objective in my reviews, but in this case, objectively is nearly impossible. I love the new, the fun and the fresh. And I see all this in Champions by the bucket full. Playing the game since open beta has been one of the best experiences I've had in an mmorpg in a long time. You may need to explore this game and judge it for yourself, taking what I have to say with a grain of salt. For a casual gamer, who needs to break out of the worn high fantasy genre, I can't imagine a better game.

For the hardcore gamers, you may be put off by the somewhat straightforward gameplay. That's not to say that the mechanics are simplistic. There are a lot of things at play in character creation, questing and battling that was never dreamed of for it's predecessor, City of Heroes. Having said that, compulsive players that blow through the content as fast as they can may feel short changed, and are probably missing the point.

You get a lot for your money's worth, in this title. And I fully and highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the superhero genre and good games in general. It shows that Cryptic cared about taking their work to the next level. If they can pump out regular content, I think we'll have a real hit on our hands.

Status: Approved. No, not just approved, highly approved. Like, go get this game right now approved. It's fun, it's fast, it's furious, and it's not a WoW clone. What more do you want?

Pros: Deepest character creation system ever created for an online RPG (if I'm wrong, I'd love to know what game tops it, because I'm pretty sure no such game exists.) Fast, dynamic, entertaining gameplay. Freeform, classless leveling system allows for virtually any type of hero.

Cons: May not offer enough for hardcore gamers. Some may not like the shard server system. (Those who detest instances, this game is not for you.) May take a couple of tries to get characters to look right (i.e. not too shiny, plastic, bright or dark looking.)