E3 09: DC Universe Online
I've just returned from a hands-on demo with a pre-alpha build of DC Universe Online, where the lovely Colette from Destructoid and I witnessed first-hand the awesome awesomeness of becoming a fledgling superhero/villain and fighting alongside your super-powered idols.
As I wandered through S.T.A.R. Labs with my flight-enabled ice-based supervillain, Slice, a streamlined UI at the bottom of the screen let me access the traditional MMO toolbar via the PS3's L2 and R2 buttons: your offensive powers are mapped to L2, support items and powers to R2 - and then further mapped to the face buttons. In other words, you'll hold down L2 and press X to launch, say, a volley of ice spikes, or press O to encase an enemy in a block of ice. Or whatever your super-customizable powers may be: Colette played an earth-based hero bruiser who caused earth spikes to erupt from the ground and wielded an enormous mallet.
Likewise, hold R2 and tap X to heal or O to activate a shield, and so forth.
The missions seem truly comic book worthy: a mutagen outbreak at the S.T.A.R. Labs had both heroes and villains out in full force: Superman and Green Arrow leading the charge to contain the mutagen (and the infected brain of a super-infected boss), while the Joker directed me to retrieve the same sample for his nefarious purposes. After I'd accomplished that, I joined Bizzarro and Solomon Grundy in kicking the glowing green tights off Green Arrow Lantern. Suck it, Jordan.
At mission's end I received some loot (of the phat variety) - a visor that automatically skins itself to match the character who's wearing it - as all wearable items do. It's a great way to preserve character integrity and avoid looking goofier than a fella in tights already looks.
Also at the end of the mission I was rewarded an achievement in the form of a Daily Planet headline: I ruined the day and wreaked mayhem on the citizens of Metropolis, Keystone City, or wherever I happened to be wreaking my ruinous mayhem.
As it's still pre-alpha (and looking better than many released games), DCUO still has no release date. Just a lot of very excited comic fans and gamers who are beyond eager to adventure with their childhood/adulthood heroes. And I'm one of 'em.
tiny dancer
Posted to E3, Hot Stuff, MMOs, Video Games on 4 June 2009
· Comments (2)
Other stuff like this: dc comics, dc universe online, e3, e3 09, ps3, soe, sony online entertainment, super heroes
Jordan? As in Hal Jordan? Did you mean Queen instead?
I've been geeking out about this game for ages now. Color me jealous that you got to play.