It should be pointed out that the game is set up for use by both Keyboard / Mouse, and Gamepad. This is part of the UI/ chat issue.  There is no cursor in the game. At this time you can't resize the chatbox. As for the grouping issue, most all betas I have been in were the same. I am hopeful they will fix this.

I did a big write-up and posted here if ya want a gander: http://babo-monkey.blogspot.com/

The game is simply awesome. Takes abit of  getting used to the controls coming from CoH and other MMOs. Once u do it feels good and smooth, I'm starting to prefer it to other MMO control set-ups. The enviroments are incredibly sweet and detailed like u stepped into a comic. The combat is fast and fun, I like the combos and occasional use of powers set-up. All in all when it is released I will be there the first day. With the way powers/speacials/combos/movement powers are done u can create ur hero/villian lots and lots of differnent ways, enough to make me happy and I'm a long time comic reader and CoH player.

EDIT: I'd also like to add I am playing with a mouse/keyboard and like it. Never used a controller.

Like others have said, I had no high hopes for this game becasue of SOE. But, I think this game is going to be a big hit if SOE pushes the advertising before its launch. I really think it is an amazing change from the ho hum MMO's of today. I can't wait until it is released.

I think one unique perspective I could offer on this is:   Playing a Villain actually feels villainous.

If you're interested in playing a cartoon villain, this is the best MMO yet to enable it and not just b/c Jim Lee was coincidentally on-hand to lend flavor...  It's not like previous games where you're a villain in name only. The quality of Dialogs and tasks really supports and maybe even prefers villains.  Unfortunately the rewards system doesn't but that's getting me off-track.   Look, I'm a prick in general and a big fan of black comedy but there's been a few options available to me as a villain that even I hesitated to pull the trigger on.  

Yeah you've got your "Aliens -> who are mutual Enemies of Both Side", aka Brainiac...   but those encounters are so rare I'm actually finding myself wondering why I'm even doing all these other petty psychotic deeds just to troll the Heroes when there's clearly looming extinction for all mankind on the horizon.  ...Then it dawns on me: this is total Nihilism...  And suddenly I really do feel like the enforcer for an obsessed man who "just wants to watch the world burn".

I don't think a lot of concerned Parents are going to be happy about it.  But who knows, maybe that'll actually make it MORE popular? 

You know I must say I am a bit irritated. Many seem quite happy with DCU, but what I read sounds like something that usually would be highly critizised.

Like ony 6 powersets, or 3 travel modes or how fast you level and then only endgame raid. How can it be so great if this is all the case?? Sorry to sound SWTOR-ish, but MY hope as comic reader would have been to have "endless" story, via many levels and a long time to reach max level. I mean, isn't getting more powerful something of the most interesting things? I just can't imagine to enjoy gear raiding all too much tbh. (Read: I never cared about gear raiding ONE BIT.)

I've played for a few weeks now  and here is a few of my thoughts about DCUO.

1) Yes  there is only  3 travel powers right now, which is ok  maybe they will add Teleport  or a super jump or somthing like that but those 3 powers are the most used  travel powers in comic books.

2)The powersets  really need some work. Right now  there is Mental, Ice, Fire, Nature,  Gadgets and Magic. I know they  really need to add a few more power sets, like a pure strength, electricity, energy  and a few others. There is just too many players running around with the same powers right.

3)  The game is fun,  to me that's a reason to  play  any game rather it be an MMO or a SPG. Seeing the different  heroes and villians around the cities  make u  feel like  u  are really a part  of the DC  Universe. I've seen  Zoom, Joker, Flash, Batwoman, Scarecrow, Cyborg, Nightwing, Starfire, Parasite, Power Girl, Bane, DeathStroke, H.I.V.E, Raven, Brother Blood, Felix Faust,  and many others just  in the first 12 levels I have played so far.

4)  I have not teamed up with one, except for one  alert mission and that was pretty fun. I'm  not sure  but I don't think there is a LFG  option right now and I don't see too much action in the chat windows either.

5) I'm wondering what other cities and places they have planed, you can  only go thru Gotham City so many times.

I don't think a lot of concerned Parents are going to be happy about it.  But who knows, maybe that'll actually make it MORE popular? 

Yeah, I meant to mention something about this...as iller notes above. This is NOT a game for kids. If you have seen the cinematic intro you know what I am talking about. (I think Superman gets impaled on a kryptonite spear?) As a parent, I would NOT let a preteen play this game, so unless DC/SoE have a "Clone Wars Adventures" equivalent planned, they are going to have to be careful with their marketing. Younger audiences who want to be Batman and Superman are going to have some pretty surprised parental units.