massively multiplayer

I bought this game a week or so ago, and I have barely done anything but play it during my waking hours. I've played a couple of other MMORPGs, and I really like how City of Heroes solves the player-killers problem--there is no player killing allowed! There's a section on the publisher's Web site for an upcoming City of Villians game which claims that it will support consentual player v. player combat against heroes. Sounds like a winner to me; fight others if you want, but the game doesn't depend on it, and you don't have to if you don't want to.

Instead, for now, you team up with other players to fight computer-generated evil. And there's lots of it. I've put over 40 hours into the game, and I have yet to get to a spot where there's nothing left to do, and given that I see lots of players with a lot more experience that me still playing (and I haven't even seen over half the places there are to go), I suspect that I'll still find lots more to do. There are also two components of the game (task forces and supergroups) that I haven't even tried yet. Man, I just realized, I need to stop typing and start playing again!

The missions and story arcs are interesting, and like all good RPGs (MMO and not), it keeps you wanting to play to find out what's next. I haven't run across any nasty folks like one usually comes across in these games. A little harsh language, maybe, but there's an option to filter it out if that offends you. The character customization is fantastic. I haven't seen two players yet that vaguely looked the same.

A couple of tips if you get this game: 1) Although there's a good in-game tutorial to learn to play, do bother to read the manual. There's lots of good stuff in there, and the section on slash commands is not covered in the game, but essential if you actually want to play with other people (and you DO want to play with other people). 2) If you're new to MMORPGs, don't be afraid to approach people around the same level and ask them to team with you for a while, or better yet, help them in some non-profiting way, such as healing them in combat without them asking or holding (not damaging) their enemies. This helps the other player without sucking up experience they are probably trying to earn, and a lot of times, they'll ask you to join them unprompted. It's a lot of fun and you'll build a rapport with folks who like to game with you, something that's very helpful in accomplishing various missions.

I really do have to stop writing now, so get this game, get out there, and foil some diabolical plots!

This is the first MMPORG I ever played (well not counting MUD's) and it's been great. A friend of mine bought it for me so he could share his addiction. I've had a blast running around stomping on evil everywhere I go.

No player killing!!! Woohoo.

There's all sorts of variation and building your characters costume is very addictive.

Just a head's up, the Tanker Archtype (class) makes you think (if you're a comic book fan anyway) that you'll be like the Hulk and the Thing, or Colossus. However it's currenty designed that you're a meat shield (you don't do lots of damage).

Task Force Missions are cool (tried it once) however you have to put in a lot of time (4 hours or more) so don't join one unless you can commit to that kind of time.

Most of the other players are friendly and helpful. It's easy to team up with other people and it's a ton of fun.

If only I didn't have to work, otherwise I'd be playing this all the time.