DC Online vs. Champions

In the coming months, the superhero MMO market will become much more crowded. Cryptic studios will be releasing Champions Online sometime this year. Champions Online is based on the table top, pen and paper role playing game. Cryptic went ahead and acquired this IP when Cryptic and Marvel parted it ways. Champions Online thus has a legacy of having much of the original development staff of City of Heroes, having worked on the Marvel Universe MMO (before the game was shelved) and finally representing the Champions universe as the game’s final incarnation.

DC Online will be based on the super hero world of DC comics (Superman, Batman, et. al.) I haven’t paid much attention to this title mostly because it’s being developed by Sony Entertainment. Sony’s legacy with Star Wars Galaxies colors my perception of them to this day. However, upon seeing recent game play footage of the game, I’m willing to give them another chance. The game looks great and the PvP action shown in the trailer appeals to me. The game play is fast and it features interactive environments. PvP also seems to be more objective based (e.g., capture the flag) rather just fighting against other players.

Recently, game play footage of both Champions Online and DC Online have surfaced at the NY Comic Con to enable a head to head comparison. I haven’t been all that impressed of what I’ve seen from Cryptic’s offering. I’m not a fan of cell shading (see the picture at the top of this post for an example; Champions Online is on the left), but if the game play is good, I’ll give the game a try. Cryptic has been known for allowing for some incredible character customization so that’s something that will be a plus. I don’t know much about DC Online right now, but thumbs up to what I’ve seen so far.

Anyway, take a gander at the videos below, and judge for yourself.

Champions Online

Part I

Part II

DC Online

A quick poll for those of you in the market for a superhero-based MMO.

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