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DC Universe Online: Staff Impressions
SBFord
Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129
This week marks the final weekly column devoted to DC Universe Online. While Bill Murphy gets the byline, the article is authored by several of our major site contributors. They have a few words for our readers about DCUO and how they personally feel about it. Check out the MMORPG.com Staff Impressions from the likes of Jon Wood, Mike Bitton, Garrett Fuller and Drew Wood. Be sure to add your impressions in the comments below.
Now that DCUO has officially launched and planted its feet firmly in the industry as a live product, our weekly column on the game is coming to an end so that we might turn some attention to other unreleased games. That doesn’t mean you won’t be seeing DCUO coverage anymore around these parts, because as long as there’s something to talk about we’ll be typing it out. But before we wrap the DCUO Weekly series up, let’s take some time to offer the rest of the MMORPG staff’s opinions on the game. I know I’ve certainly written my fair share about the game, and there’s more to come when my review hits in the next couple weeks as well. But to close out our weekly DCUO column, let me hand it over to my cohorts to tell you what they like and dislike about DCUO thus far.
Read more DCUO: Staff Impressions.
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Comments
I pretty much agree with everything you guys said. They just need to keep their promised of monthly updates, fix the UI/chat, and targetting. Otherwise it's a very fun game.
Yes. thank you, great reviews and exactly what the community has been saying! Please SOE, hear OUR cry for help! DC Online, I found a home in you...
I like the format of this article. You guys should do this more often.
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+1
I can't see this game lasting long in the P2P market.
It is fun but having hit level 30 hero and a level 27 Villian in around 10 days with no extended period spent playing its clear the game is set for end game content. Only there isn't much and what there is turns out to be rehashed levels from the earlier game. With only 4 DUO's (2 man end game) and very little single player end game it all comes down to getting in groups. And given how truely aweful the chat system is that isn't the easiest thing to do.
In the end of the day there isn't enough to keep me paying 15 bucks a month, I can get my fix in the first 30 days and maybe come back in six months to play through the additional content. But realistically DCUO has done Rift a major favour by March 1st there wont be too many gamers not ready to move onto the next big thing unless SOE unleash a master stroke and make this game into a real MMIO.
I'll steal an old Jerry Garcia quote here: "It's like licorice. Not everyone likes licorice, but the people who like licorice, really like licorice."
I can see the game's flaws as well, and some of them drive me batty at times...but I can't stop playing. Mike Bitton's point about this game being alt-friendly is spot-on; I've yet to get a character to 30 for the simple fact that I keep rolling alt after alt.
Playing: FFXIV, EVE
I am sure that if SOE were paying them, they would not have mentioned any negatives as clearly as they stated. I also think people say the site is getting paid by the big companies just to aggrivate the staff of this website.
Work hard Play Harder
Out of curiosity, did any of you staff writers play the PS3 version or have you all been playing the PC version?
I've been playing PC MMOs sporadically for the last ten years, but decided to buy the PS3 version of DCUO as I've been looking forward to trying out a console MMO. The interface certainly, and not surprisingly really, feels rather clunky in that version as well compared to typical PC MMOs - combat and combat targeting however feel quite effortless and natural with a gamepad, particularly if you're already used to 3rd person console action games.
PC version here. I should try the game out with the gamepad (on the PC), Bill always tells me it's better with the gamepad, but I've been playing with the mouse. I will give it a try next time I play, thanks!
"...there is no system in place to prevent massive ganking on PvP servers..."
Not true. Since this is a game based on skill and not gear, get some buddies together and beat on the gankers. 15 level 3 lowbies beat on level 30 gankers in this vid. Instead of whining, these players did something about it via socializing (gasp!) and using the game's combo/skill based combat mechanics (another GASP!). Or you could just roll ona PvE server and stop whining there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M605TXs5zU
I make spreadsheets at work - I don't want to make them for the games I play.
I'm using the 360 controller on PC, and while it works great for gameplay, it annoys me in menus. It is also pretty slow to load (you could scroll to the section you want and press the OK button, but even then it feels clunky). Another thing that bothers me with the gamepad is, you can't bring up the map quickly. Not only that, but navigating the locations on the map with the controller sucks. I always go for my mouse when clicking the options on the map. Not a big deal, but definitely annoying.
When you switch stances on the PS3 does the menu that pops get stuck? Almost everytime I press up on the digital pad and go to switch stances the menu gets stuck and you can't navigate it at all. I have just been pressing T. Oh well. I hope they fix these things! Otherwise it's a real fun game.
SOE is definitely moving in the console direction with this game. The UI design is a clear reflection of this; much about it is not intuitive at all if you're using a keyboard and mouse, but conceivably with a gamepad's simplified control scheme, it would be a non-issue.
I never found the UI to be that bad even on the PC...
Yea good revirews if looked at as a whole.
Classes broken, there are broken peices in every skill tree. Some you need to hit a few times but all repeatable.
PVP on the pvp server death and glory, is an absolute blast, its dirty pvp. Like it use to be a half a decade ago.
UI sucks, the targeting system blows, and is bugged. If you dont lock on things you wont do the full damage.. and it likes to stick to barrels and toons further out then the ones in front of your face.
PVP IS HEAVY GEAR BASED.. yes i said it.. pvp gear has hundreds and hundreds of tougness. some one posted on the forums he had it up to 1600 -1800 tougness.
PVP IS ALSO VERY SKILLED BASED. Even though these kids have the big gear from playing safty pvp in arenas caping that flag... we who have been killing and scrapping in open world have been able to out play these noobs. cause we know how to pvp in a full city setting not a small arena where you know what to expect everytime. but this will only last so long as these kids will get better and since there is no open world pvp rewards, except 145xp and 2 cokes for killing 5 people with in 5 lvls on me... sucks that an arena kiddie can safty pvp or afk in these arenas and even if he doesnt kill anyone, get 25-50 renown, and medals to buy that pvp gear but me who has to wade through the jungle of the city to get my fat 145xp and 2 cokes gets nothing except the thrill of it..
yea what ever.. (super click the cancel button)
Its a month game.. so take it as such.
Check out the link for posts abuot the pvp open world rewards.
http://forums.station.sony.com/dcuopc/posts/list.m?topic_id=6243
FoE Fist of the Empire
The GiantBomb guys mentioned that the best way to play this game is probably with a gamepad on the PC so you have the mouse for menus, game pad for fighting, and keyboard for typing. Though that just strikes me as being poorly designed UI. Then again that's what everyone is saying so.
Current Game: Asssasins Creed 2(PS3, Gamer Tag: Happy_Hubby)
Current MMO: World of Warcraft and World of Tanks
Former Subscribed MMO: Star Trek Online, Aion, WoW, Guild Wars, Eve Online, DAoC, City of Heroes, Shattered Galaxy, 10six.
Tried: Too many to list
I fully agree with what the staff says. I'm enjoying myself só much with this game. It's been quite a while since a mmo got me this hooked.
One of the smoothest launch titles (if not best ever?) is definatly helping this cause, and the content is well done, even at level 30, the alerts (dungeons) on hard mode are REALLY hard. They're sometimes a real gear check.
Then again, buggy chat and clumsy UI are a downside, but to let this game go? No way. I've seen worse. MUCH worse. Anyone played FFXIV? Yeah. Thought so.
The initial enjoyment for those looking for something a bit different from the standard mmo seems to be a proven fact. Time will tell if the enjoyment factor goes away either due to lack of future content or lack of bug/annoyance corrections. Or via the obvious end content gearings.
All of which brings us back to if it is a go to game for an hour or two or a game alt - is it in fact worth the purchase cost and the monthly sub after say the first few months? Like I said, time will tell.
Early descriptions of the game as "niche" seem to be holding true as told by the sales numbers going past week 2. Its niche has come forth and purchased. The rest will have to come by SOE performing as promised and thus by word of mouth.
I love to see posts like this guys! Great piece. I like hearing everyone's personal take on the game. Great write up!
Imagine that, everyone you highlight here loves the game. Shocking /sarcasm.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/7300033012
I'm sort of tired of people saying "there's no crafting". There are several different kinds of collecting' and you combine the things you collect into objects-how is that not crafting?
Because the nodes don't respawn you actually have to go out and look for things which is more fun then alot of crafting in games.
So basically if you are a Open World PvP fan (which of course everyone is, why the hell would you ever play on a PvE server is the message the MMORPG staff seems to be sending to me) and can just ignore a terrible UI and chat system (even though these are "baseline" features which are just expected to be good at this point. A massive step backwards is unacceptable) then DCUO is for you!
Well cool then. I'll sit this one out, and see what a few months of development bring. I am so tired of settling and making due with MMO's, and hoping that things will "get better". The Guild/Legion system is also a huge turn off for me, especially after Chris Cao talked about how he worked on the EQ2 guild system and you could bet that he was going to be bringing elements of that over here. What elements? The Chat system? Couldn't even swing the guild list element?
The combat is fun, I will give it that. I'm not a PvP player so I can't be dazzled by the fun of Open World PvP and distracted from other issues. The combat is fun, and it probably feels more like a Super hero game than CoX of Champions. Hopefully in 6 months time things will get better and the game will be worth a second look.
Chat sucks, UI is more than a little wonky, but the game is fun. Fun on a level I haven't seen in a long while regaurding MMO's. Obviously I do find MMO's fun in general but not like DCUO, there is something special there and as long as SOE backs this new flagship of theirs I think it will have a long and wonderful future.
Oh noes, people actually like the game!!
Its a great game, just becasue you dont like it dosent mean others can. Sure it has some flaws, and those were all mentioned in this article.
This is one of the better MMO's i have played recently. Been a long time since i was so drawn into a MMO, been playing every hour im awake since launch, got about 10 days /played allready.
Now if only they fix the UI and chat, keep adding content i will be playing this game for years to come
Currently Playing Path of Exile
Thanks for the "honest" review (or "thoughts" or whatever this was). Any idea why it's not selling better given mmorpg's staffs enjoyment of it?
Smedley has said that the prime focus for DCUO is to convince PS3 players that they should get used to the subscription paid model of MMOs from the PC world. Go look thru interviews with him to see him state exactly that.
I would imagine that most improvements are going to be forthcoming for the PS3 version with the PC version getting just enough to get by. In other words, don't look for the PC controls or chat system to get major fixes anytime soon. The focus for SOE right now is to retain and grow this for PS3 players.
Everything said here is more or less true, the game can be fun and the PC controls and interface are nothing short of irritating. Some powersets are broken and others probably over powered compared to others (although they are super powers...they need to power up the low ones, not nerf the powerful ones) and the travel powers are wonky. It's all designed for flyers and speedsters or acrobats are just trying to get where they are going. Lack of documentation for travel powers (and really everything in the game) stands out.
The article also didn't address the huge problems SOE and it's partners had on getting any of the pre-order bonuses right (unless you ordered from Gamestop or Amazon, you probably didn't get everything you were supposed to or get it on time for sure.) This is par for the course with SOE who has phone company level of customer service (that is to say nearly non-existant and at times antagonistic.)
SOE admits this is meant to be a 'snack' game, i.e. not life consuming as some MMOs are designed to be, so we will see how much content and when we get it. I'd be ready to buy a Green Lantern themed expansion to coincide with the release of the GL movie (he's conspicuously absent for the most part in the base version so far) with new mentors and powers etc....
Played: Asheron's Call(still the best fantasy MMO!), EQ1, EQ2, Vanguard, DAoC, Horizons, City of Heroes/Villians, WoW (crap), LOTORO, D&D Online, Eve, Anarchy Online, and still playing SWG daily.