E3 2008: A Quick Peek At DC Universe Online

[Susan Arendt]

E3 2008: A Quick Peek At DC Universe Online

Sony provided us with a very quick peek at DC Universe Online, which lets you take your own superhero or villain into the world of Batman and Superman.

First, the good news: The little we saw looked good, damn good. The trailer was chock full of familiar faces like Batman, The Joker, The Flash and Green Arrow, and they all looked fantastic.

Now, the bad news: We didn't see much else. A few city environments, but nothing terribly distinctive or impressive. We also saw a few custom characters, but the trailer didn't go into depth about your abilities when creating them. Essentially, it just threw a few tantalizing visuals at us while asking, wouldn't it be cool if you could help the inmates of Arkham Asylum storm the Bat Cave?

Well, duh, of course it would! You don't have to sell us on the concept, show us more of the game! Unfortunately, that was not the plan for today, so we were left with appetites whetted but far from satisfied.

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[Thais]

Was there a realease date given, S? I may have to put aside a bit more a month and buy my 3 sooner rather than later.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Was there a realease date given, S? I may have to put aside a bit more a month and buy my 3 sooner rather than later.

Sadly, no. But start putting those pennies away, because oh, this looks sooooo goooood.

 

[SaintWaldo]

I want to know if I can help Jim Lee do more than three one-armed push ups!

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Now, if they only bring out the Vertigo patch...

Bags me being Dream. I'm sure there's going to be a fight over who gets to play the little goth girl.

 

[Virgil]

Here's a copy of the trailer in question:

Spoiler: Click to Play

[gametrailers=36413]

The characters look great, the world looks good, but the animations could use some work. It'll be interesting to see how they work around the 'everyone is a hero' problem in an established universe.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Well, they had all the Villains; there was different techniques and very soon, you realise that you can't save all the people...Just when you find Dr. Vahzilok.

 

[SaintWaldo]

Add in the ability for both sides to give Aquaman and Robin savage beatings, and we may have the ultimate game.

Yeah, but which Robin? Dick, Jason, Tim or Stephanie? No one in their right mind would ever want to hit Carrie.

Yes, I'm on a first name basis with the Robins.

 

[Archon]

I am always suspicious of games that refuse to release details about the gameplay systems and just rely on their brand.

What I want to know is it class-based or level-based? How customizable are characters? What is the PvP system like? What are the main activities you take in game? Are there gadgets? What's the overall power level of characters - Teen Titans or JLA?

 

[Thais]

I am always suspicious of games that refuse to release details about the gameplay systems and just rely on their brand.

What I want to know is it class-based or level-based? How customizable are characters? What is the PvP system like? What are the main activities you take in game? Are there gadgets? What's the overall power level of characters - Teen Titans or JLA?

Are you kidding me? Who cares? I get to dress up like Harley Quinn and beat fuck-all out of Batgirl and Lois Lane! I don't care if I have to jet-ski to Planet-X and blow Bill Clinton and Dick Cheney to level up!

 

[Virgil]

How'd they work around it in City of Heroes?

City of Heroes built their entire back story around the fact that there were thousands and thousands of costumed superheroes. It was original IP, they didn't have to try to explain it, it just was.

The DC Comics universe, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be as well suited for "LFG @ Daily Planet". The Justice League wasn't thousands of heroes in size.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

i was kind of underwhelmed. i mean, with someone like Jim Lee at the helm i expected a little more from the quality of the character models. Batman was the only character that looked well made.

why didn't they just model everything off of Jim's art style?