Look! Up in the sky! It's a great, fresh idea! A virtual world in which everyone gets to be a spandex-clad superhero ripped from the world of comics. And though it sometimes feels like multiplayer lite, "City of Heroes" delivers on that premise with an enjoyable, streamlined and beautiful fast-paced world that will keep a lot of PC gamers hooked -- for at least a month or two.
City of Heroes
Platform(s): Windows PCs Company: NCsoft (Cryptic Studios) Type/Genre: Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Rating: T (For Teen)
The fashion show aspect of "City of Heroes" -- a staple of most massively multiplayer online roleplaying games -- is put on the fast track. Using a sophisticated head-to-toe character creation system, you can duplicate your favorite DC or Marvel character, or, more fun, dream up and live an original character concept.
Most online RPGs start you as a drably garbed weakling, but not here. Male or female, tiny or huge, sexy or freaky, you enter the world as a powerful and great-looking superhero. Unfortunately, the game doesn't let you upgrade your character's appearance later with found objects. Another glaring shortcoming in a superhero world: No capes!
The game makes up for that with a short learning curve, easy and sensible grouping and sidekick systems, smart and cool-looking enemies, and gameplay that is fun and addictive. All of which takes the edge off the inevitable leveling treadmill, geared toward gaining nifty skills like flying, teleporting and leaping tall buildings in a single bound. But because the game is stripped of many of the intricacies of traditional online games, it's an open question as to how long it can hold the interest of newcomers. - Joe Stafford
Now Playing in Central TexasSearch for movies playing at theaters across Central Texas, purchase tickets, read reviews from our team of critics and leave your own review.
CENTRAL TEXAS BARS AND RESTAURANTSFind a new bar or restaurant to try tonight. Search by cuisine type, distance, location and price range. Then be sure to come back and leave a review.
