Every hero needs a good villain to really shine. Who would remember David if he hadn’t faced Goliath? The valiant players of City of Heroes have been alone in their online world since the critically acclaimed title was released. Now they have some competition. With the release of City of Villains the developers at Cryptic Studios (along with publisher NCSoft) have unleashed a new wave of fun and excitement into their game world. Capable of being played as a stand-alone title or as an expansion to the ever-popular City of Heroes, City of Villains is definitely worth the purchase price. Building on the solid foundation from the first game, City of Villains brings new ideas and concepts to the online role-playing genre. Any player who has ever wanted to live by the motto, “Evil is Good,” will enjoy City of Villains.

The gameplay within City of Villains is quite a bit of fun. The traditional model for role-playing games has been thrown out the window in more ways than one. Players are encouraged to indulge in their dark sides. When you enter an instanced mission you’ll be treated to evil humor and sarcasm. Lines like, “They don’t have much security. Don’t they know this is a city of villains?” will keep players amused throughout the game. The standard class-based design has also been altered. City of Villains lacks two of the standard building blocks of a fantasy role-playing game- the dedicated healer and the tank. Several classes, called Archetypes, have the ability to soak up damage or heal themselves or their allies. But who needs to heal? You are a villain. It is all about how quickly you take down your opponents! Standing tall and getting beat on is for heroes and other suicidal fools.

The Archetypes of City of Villains are all unique and fun to play. These classes run across several styles of gameplay, offering many different experiences for players. The devious masterminds lead their hordes of summoned minions into battle. The violent brutes charge headlong into their enemies. Stalkers creep through the streets, hunting the unwary, and dominators revel in their ability to lock an opponent down, rendering them powerless. If you have ever wanted to be an evil genius there are many different ways to indulge your imagination in City of Villains.

The graphics of City of Villains are obviously very close to those found in Cryptic’s original title, City of Heroes. There are some small upgrades, but there area also some small problems that come along with the new game. City of Heroes ran smoothly and had crystal-clear graphics. Most of the time City of Villains can boast the same. With the upgrades to the graphics occasionally you will encounter areas where the framerate takes a hit. Even with this occasional problem the graphics for City of Villains are remarkably clear. Textures are clearly visible, colors are vibrant, and even minor details are easy to spot. Every ability found in the game has its own unique animation and special effects. After playing for a few hours its easy to tell which power sets and what type of enemy you are facing just by watching them in combat for a few seconds. Considering how the different powers interact this is crucial when choosing your strategy.

The soundtrack is equally impressive. City of Villains boasts an assorted array of techno, rock, and heavy metal themes used throughout the game. Each area has its own unique soundtrack to listen to. New players can often be seen exploring the game world much sooner than they should just so they can see the new sights and uncover more music. The character sounds are very well done. Every action, from running to jumping is unique. Players can hear every power triggered around them, a definite plus. Combat, especially player-vs-player combat, can be fast-paced and frantic in City of Villains. Thanks to the sound system in City of Villains players can tell what’s going on around them without “looking” around.

With the addition of a dedicated “evil faction” to the City of Heroes world an entire player-vs-player system has been introduced. Players of both titles will be able to engage in base raids. Player guilds can use their combined power to purchase and design their own bases. Everything from lighting to the floor texture is available for players to customize. Rooms can be created, stocked, and put into use with ease using the intuitive and simple base construction tools included in City of Villains. Since warding off attacks on your base will be a fundamental part of the player-vs-player scene guilds can choose to place strategic items throughout their lair. Healing items that restore the vitality and power of any nearby players can be purchased, defensive turrets, and other traps can be placed at will, although they can carry a hefty price tag.

With the large focus on player-vs-player battles many gamers could be worried that the entire world of City of Villains will be nothing more than a frag-fest against human opponents. This couldn’t be further from the truth. There are dozens of storylines scattered throughout the game for players to enjoy and explore. It is entirely possible to have a thrilling, enjoyable journey through the game without ever attacking another player. The best rewards are also granted to players who can cooperate. Experience and treasure come the fastest to players who can work well in teams. The most difficult and most rewarding quests available to players require a large group just to survive.

City of Villains offers a wide variety of features and areas for players to explore and enjoy. The diverse Archetype system allows players to find the right play-style for them. The world of City of Villains is rendered in outstanding detail, even if there are occasional moments where things slow down a little. The entertaining soundtrack and innovative gameplay will help keep players interested. Any gamer who has ever wanted to walk on the wild side will enjoy this city. The designers have put a lot of effort into this title and it shows. Dark humor, fun stories, and daring heists all await for those willing to don the mask and accept evil’s call. Do you have what it takes to survive in a City of Villains?

Tips:
When in doubt, dust off and nuke the site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure, after all. The Archetypes in City of Villains are built around destructiveness and speed. Don’t worry about outlasting your opponents. Take full advantage of your power. The best defense really is a good offense, especially in large groups.

If you find yourself on a team with several masterminds try and work from the rear. Ranged attacks can be your friends in these situations and the class is popular. Masterminds excel at calling in hordes of disposable minions to do their fighting for them. Take advantage of this. Minions are cheap and easy to replace. If one of them dies instead of you - good!

Gameplay: 9.3
City of Villains offers everything that City of Heroes brought to the online world with several new features. The addition of bases for players to construct and enjoy is a definite plus. The Archetype system that forces players to think outside of the box may take some getting used to, but City of Villains is a fun romp on the dark side.

Graphics: 8.5
Most of the time City of Villains is a treat for the eyes. Everything in the game world is rendered in wonderful detail. A few times players will run into slowdown as the world puts a little too much onto their screens, but it is a rare problem.

Sound: 8.7
The music and sounds for City of Villains are always entertaining. Everything in the game has its own unique sounds, each one distinct and crystal clear. The variety of musical styles found in the game is also well done. Each background track helps set the mood for the areas you will travel through.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
Like all online games City of Villains has a learning curve. New players to the genre will find it easy to learn through the tutorial and beginners’ missions. More experienced players might have some trouble without their staple “tank-and-healer” tactics. Once players have learned to embrace their versatile (and destructive) natures combat becomes quick and fun.

Concept: 9.0
Introducing change to the age-old style of gameplay for online MMO’s can be risky. City of Villains has introduced changes that are extremely fun and entertaining. Player-driven “housing” for guilds is a definite plus along. The unique class design is another feature players will enjoy exploring.

Multiplayer: 9.0
Players might run into the odd individual who insists on making a pain of themselves because they are “evil,” but don’t let it discourage you. These players are the rare ones. The fan base for City of Villains is energetic, knowledgeable, and helpful. There are many different missions to run with the help of a few friends.

Overall: 8.9
City of Villains is an outstanding game in many respects. Its flaws are minor compared to the fun it brings. Players can indulge in the dark side just as easily as they can help another player complete a mission. City of Villains has a detailed world with rich stories, wonderful plot lines, engaging game play, and all the makings of a successful MMO.