MMORPG.com Champions Online Correspondent C.A. Thomas writes this look at customization in Cryptic Studios' new superhero MMO.

For anyone who is a fan of superheroes, be it through comic books, video games, movies or television, we all have that certain type of hero or power that we're drawn to. It's hard not to put ourselves in their positions, imagining what we'd be like if we had super powers.

While Champions Online isn't the first MMORPG to give us the chance to be our own heroes, it definitely offers an unprecedented level of customization in the genre. Never has the question, "What kind of hero are you?" meant so much. From your costume, to your powers, to the way those powers look and function; if you can imagine it, Champions Online allows you to create it or at least something close.

Read Have it your Way - Customization

And run out of stuff to do halfway through.

Originally posted by nekollx

And run out of stuff to do halfway through.

Run out of stuff half way through?  The only gap in content was from level 30-32 and that has been fixed already.  Learn to read patch notes that have been out for a while before commenting on issues that no longer apply.

A Noble Attempt

While I applaud Cryptic for showcasing the avatar customization system, I believe the real attraction of the game is its combat system. This is the first game where, I, have had the impression I am playing a massively multiplayer action game and not another fantasy, turn-based, RPG. 

Age of Conan attempted to iron down the action aspect of combat and failed to do so with its combo system. I think, where Champions Online (CO) succeeded was in creating the opportunity for the player base to create its own combo system via free choice of powers. I cannot begin to iterate how fun I find it meta-gaming my character to suit my play style rather than having to, yet again, conform to another person's "Idea" of one [i.e: class based systems with fixed power trees].

Here is hoping Cryptic realizes they have a real advantage here with the combat system and showcase it properly. Because, if people feel they have the power to play the game the way want rather than having to be told how they should play it, this game can hit a running stride that will carry it far into the future.

woot yup champions i agree i love being able to choose my powers but i would a little more costume customization but other than that i love it

This game has a huge potential to evolve far beyond the CoX series.

I adore the customization, but since it is a recently established game, there seems to lack some variety in costume selection. Namely, it is the patterns you can put on your costume. They are fairly limited.

Another thing is that out of the 4 postures you use, you will revert to the same basic "fight stance" whenever you use a power, until a certain time afterwards. So, a bestial character who runs on all fours, attacks something, now you walk on 2 legs for a while. Very odd, or maybe its just with certain powersets. I have yet to test it.

I also believe it could use more powersets, or more varied powers. It seems that while you can choose any power you want, there is very slim pickings, especially if you want to make a thematically sound character.

These are just my little quirks with the game. I enjoy this game, but I think there are still some gameplay issues.

No doubt is the character customization in Champions Online top notch, probably best in any MMORPG. However the game itself is somewhat lackluster for an MMORPG. As a single player game it is great but as for an MMORPG it does not cut it.

Lack of incentives to group and engage in PvP are probably what kills this game as an MMORPG.

Originally posted by Frittison

A Noble Attempt

While I applaud Cryptic for showcasing the avatar customization system, I believe the real attraction of the game is its combat system. This is the first game where, I, have had the impression I am playing a massively multiplayer action game and not another fantasy, turn-based, RPG. 

Age of Conan attempted to iron down the action aspect of combat and failed to do so with its combo system. I think, where Champions Online (CO) succeeded was in creating the opportunity for the player base to create its own combo system via free choice of powers. I cannot begin to iterate how fun I find it meta-gaming my character to suit my play style rather than having to, yet again, conform to another person's "Idea" of one [i.e: class based systems with fixed power trees].

Here is hoping Cryptic realizes they have a real advantage here with the combat system and showcase it properly. Because, if people feel they have the power to play the game the way want rather than having to be told how they should play it, this game can hit a running stride that will carry it far into the future.

Altough I agree that the combat in CO is action paced, I really wonder what that got to do with the massively multiplayer part. The game is a single player game with basically zero multiplayer elements beside a handful of missions and the arena type PvP matches.

I can see CO being more successful on the Xbox 360 (If it actually releases on it next year) than it will end up being on the PC.

Originally posted by kcypher2000

Originally posted by nekollx

And run out of stuff to do halfway through.

 

Run out of stuff half way through?  The only gap in content was from level 30-32 and that has been fixed already.  Learn to read patch notes that have been out for a while before commenting on issues that no longer apply.

my lvl 37 who has been doing +3 arcs for two weeks now would beg to differ. I have no (working) arcs left.

Originally posted by nekollx

Originally posted by kcypher2000

Originally posted by nekollx

And run out of stuff to do halfway through.

 

Run out of stuff half way through?  The only gap in content was from level 30-32 and that has been fixed already.  Learn to read patch notes that have been out for a while before commenting on issues that no longer apply.

my lvl 37 who has been doing +3 arcs for two weeks now would beg to differ. I have no (working) arcs left.

At level 38 with still a good amount of Lumeria still to do, I would have to say you failed to find a bit of content there if you're out of missions to do by 37. 

While I also have broken arcs in my journal, I am not about to use it as a crutch for not taking the initiative to go out in the zones and find missions instead of taking the theme park tour from NPC to NPC. Which is the problem with a large majority of the players complaining about a lack of missions to do.

Originally posted by Yamota

Originally posted by Frittison

A Noble Attempt

While I applaud Cryptic for showcasing the avatar customization system, I believe the real attraction of the game is its combat system. This is the first game where, I, have had the impression I am playing a massively multiplayer action game and not another fantasy, turn-based, RPG. 

Age of Conan attempted to iron down the action aspect of combat and failed to do so with its combo system. I think, where Champions Online (CO) succeeded was in creating the opportunity for the player base to create its own combo system via free choice of powers. I cannot begin to iterate how fun I find it meta-gaming my character to suit my play style rather than having to, yet again, conform to another person's "Idea" of one [i.e: class based systems with fixed power trees].

Here is hoping Cryptic realizes they have a real advantage here with the combat system and showcase it properly. Because, if people feel they have the power to play the game the way want rather than having to be told how they should play it, this game can hit a running stride that will carry it far into the future.

 

Altough I agree that the combat in CO is action paced, I really wonder what that got to do with the massively multiplayer part. The game is a single player game with basically zero multiplayer elements beside a handful of missions and the arena type PvP matches.

Really, Exaggerate much? Zero multiplayer elements? You must not be a social person if you have to be forced into social roles in order to consider the game to be multiplayer. 

Must you be rewarded with in game items (which CO does if you actually try) in order to qualify that as incentives?

Do you really need to be stonewalled with grouped instance progression in order to consider the game multiplayer?

Cite some examples, bring some evidence, rather than shooting your mouth off about how this game is not what it advertises. 

• The game has a social interface
• The game has instanced lairs with superior loot versus the world zones.
• The PvP matches are solo & grouped with costume unlocks for those that actually meet milestones
• Every week there is a patch adding NEW content to the game.
• The game is modular allowing a person to switch shards if they end up in a dry zone. Versus having to wait for a server transfer to open up should you hop on a dead server (WoW anyone?)

So, again, tell me how this game fails in your eyes to be a MMO?

Originally posted by Frittison

Originally posted by Yamota

Originally posted by Frittison

A Noble Attempt

While I applaud Cryptic for showcasing the avatar customization system, I believe the real attraction of the game is its combat system. This is the first game where, I, have had the impression I am playing a massively multiplayer action game and not another fantasy, turn-based, RPG. 

Age of Conan attempted to iron down the action aspect of combat and failed to do so with its combo system. I think, where Champions Online (CO) succeeded was in creating the opportunity for the player base to create its own combo system via free choice of powers. I cannot begin to iterate how fun I find it meta-gaming my character to suit my play style rather than having to, yet again, conform to another person's "Idea" of one [i.e: class based systems with fixed power trees].

Here is hoping Cryptic realizes they have a real advantage here with the combat system and showcase it properly. Because, if people feel they have the power to play the game the way want rather than having to be told how they should play it, this game can hit a running stride that will carry it far into the future.

 

Altough I agree that the combat in CO is action paced, I really wonder what that got to do with the massively multiplayer part. The game is a single player game with basically zero multiplayer elements beside a handful of missions and the arena type PvP matches.

 

Really, Exaggerate much? Zero multiplayer elements? You must not be a social person if you have to be forced into social roles in order to consider the game to be multiplayer. 

Must you be rewarded with in game items (which CO does if you actually try) in order to qualify that as incentives?

Do you really need to be stonewalled with grouped instance progression in order to consider the game multiplayer?

Cite some examples, bring some evidence, rather than shooting your mouth off about how this game is not what it advertises. 

• The game has a social interface
• The game has instanced lairs with superior loot versus the world zones.
• The PvP matches are solo & grouped with costume unlocks for those that actually meet milestones
• Every week there is a patch adding NEW content to the game.
• The game is modular allowing a person to switch shards if they end up in a dry zone. Versus having to wait for a server transfer to open up should you hop on a dead server (WoW anyone?)

So, again, tell me how this game fails in your eyes to be a MMO?

I will say that the concerns he has are common among the community. The social aspect of the game that serves as the "multiplayer" component of the MMORPG, while present, seems to be underutilized by not only the community, but by the developers. Yeah, it's there, and if you take full advantage of it it's great, but there isn't a strong focus on it in the core mechanics of the game.

That said, it's only a small gripe of course, but along with the other "small gripes", it's easy to be frustrated, and that's understandably where a lot of the community is right now.

In any case, I'm actually glad this came up the way it did. I think I have my next article.

Originally posted by Frittison

Originally posted by nekollx

Originally posted by kcypher2000

Originally posted by nekollx

And run out of stuff to do halfway through.

 

Run out of stuff half way through?  The only gap in content was from level 30-32 and that has been fixed already.  Learn to read patch notes that have been out for a while before commenting on issues that no longer apply.

my lvl 37 who has been doing +3 arcs for two weeks now would beg to differ. I have no (working) arcs left.

 

At level 38 with still a good amount of Lumeria still to do, I would have to say you failed to find a bit of content there if you're out of missions to do by 37. 

While I also have broken arcs in my journal, I am not about to use it as a crutch for not taking the initiative to go out in the zones and find missions instead of taking the theme park tour from NPC to NPC. Which is the problem with a large majority of the players complaining about a lack of missions to do.

i have combs every square inch of Lagmuria, Monster Island and Millinium City (yeah for TP)

So no i am not missing a contact, their is nothing left to do.

 You just answered it, Teleport.

If you are not running on the ground level then you have missed out on a lot of missions. Several missions and arcs are found by running through certain areas of the zones, and not flying overhead. If you were just passing through the areas looking for the [!] on the map then you missed these location flagged missions.

An example is the NW part of monster island. I think there were 3 missions I found just by running around on the ground level killing things and getting that little notification to open up dialog for a mission.

Originally posted by Frittison

 You just answered it, Teleport.

If you are not running on the ground level then you have missed out on a lot of missions. Several missions and arcs are found by running through certain areas of the zones, and not flying overhead. If you were just passing through the areas looking for the [!] on the map then you missed these location flagged missions.

An example is the NW part of monster island. I think there were 3 missions I found just by running around on the ground level killing things and getting that little notification to open up dialog for a mission.

you mean the ghost guy, the argent "traitor" and the guy by the atv.
 

Yeah i did all their arcs. you just need to be low enough not ground pounding

Originally posted by nekollx

Originally posted by Frittison

 You just answered it, Teleport.

If you are not running on the ground level then you have missed out on a lot of missions. Several missions and arcs are found by running through certain areas of the zones, and not flying overhead. If you were just passing through the areas looking for the [!] on the map then you missed these location flagged missions.

An example is the NW part of monster island. I think there were 3 missions I found just by running around on the ground level killing things and getting that little notification to open up dialog for a mission.

 

you mean the ghost guy, the argent "traitor" and the guy by the atv.
 

Yeah i did all their arcs. you just need to be low enough not ground pounding

No, not NPCs, I would have said such and such NPCs if I were referring to NPCs. I'm talking about hot spots in the zones that activate uncompleted missions if you're are within range of the geographical location of which it is located. Although, the missions found do eventually lead to NPCs for completion.

 which still triger under TP, and i probably already did unless you have names

Check out www.crimecomputer20.com if you think you have run out of missions.

Also checkout www.slashcry.com for a Champions Podcast.

Originally posted by nekollx

 which still triger under TP, and i probably already did unless you have names

EDIT: I see someone else beat me to it, heh.

Originally posted by Ghostmind

Originally posted by nekollx

 which still triger under TP, and i probably already did unless you have names

EDIT: I see someone else beat me to it, heh.

that site is bunk, jsut tried it, it listed a lot, including several from Gidion H Jones. I'm standing at gidion right now. The only missions he has is broken (save stan)