World of Warcraft versus City of Heroes
I'm doing the unthinkable.
I'm playing both City of Heroes AND World of Warcraft.
They're two entirely different games really, but it's pretty unusual for anyone to play more than one MMORPG at a time, mostly because these games are so immersive. The costs per month are nothing to sneeze at either, although both are reasonable, it does add up (mind you, as addictions go, MMORPGs are one of the cheapest).
On one hand, we have City of Heroes: A game where everyone's personality can be as bold as the moon and as bright as the sun. After 8 months of playing the game, I've never seen two players look alike, unless they had planned it that way (ala Agent Smiths). Character creation is almost a worthwhile game unto itself, rivaled only by The Sims in the sheer amount of choices and roleplay value.
City of Heroes also has the best action I've ever seen in an MMORPG. The collision detection is excellent, something that every other MMORPG does very poorly. The controls are reasonably responsive and most things feel immediate. You actually feel like you're whooping ass on the baddies.
Teaming up with players of different levels works well, thanks to the great sidekick and exemplar features. Overall, the team tools work excellent, allowing the sense of comraderie to prevail.
They have also done a great job at Cryptic when it comes to adding new content. The level cap has gone up since I've started playing. I've seen new levels, new artwork. They added fantastic looking capes and special effects and apparently there's even more content still on its way. I'm really not done with this game.
On the other hand, we have World of Warcraft: A game that cultivates Blizzard's impressive sense of style and substance. It has the depth of Everquest & Ultima Online, there are tons of things to do. Skills. Trades. There's a war going on, with two distinct sides, allowing Player vs Player action in both limited and open ways (depending upon your server selection). The storyline and adventuring is fantastic, the world is huge and the different factions are distinctive.
What World of Warcraft doesn't have is much uniqueness in character. You can't select height or width of your characters, so everyone in your race has the exact stature. Want to play as a thin Elf mage? Nope, if you're an Elf you can only be of the 7 foot buffed muscle-bound type. On the other hand, much like Ultima Online, you'll go through a variety of clothing, so your personality can either shine there or you may get stuck with the looks of your best affordable armour.
I love the pets in World of Warcraft, they have both combat and non-combat pets (I can get a parrot! Well, if I could afford one). I adore the seamless travel (fly on a Gryphon over other players) and the massive world, although it can get tedious sometimes to go from point A to point B.
All in all, I have to reiterate, these are two very different games. I'm going to play both for awhile and it remains to be seen which one will hold my attention the longest. At the moment World of Warcraft is shiny and new, so expect to see me there (I'm predictably "Rog" on the Silvermoon server, Alliance side).
Dec 16, 2004 1:35am
for the record...
WoW is my first MMORPG and one of my first video games, save Zelda and Mario. =P I found it amazingly user-friendly (as in, I didn't have to ask for help every three seconds, unlike that one ill fated time I attempted Everquest...) but that doesn't take away from the depth of the game. Rog is right, you can play it forever and ever and still find more exciting adventures to do.
also for the record...Hyjal server (horde side,) Zarine--(at the moment)lvl 27 undead . =) Someone come play with me!
Dec 15, 2004 11:55am
ewww.
well, if I buy it, it won't be til January. But if I can convince someone else to buy it... hell, I don't care how much it costs. ;)
Dec 14, 2004 10:56pm
Okay scratch that, I just stopped by the Future Shop downtown and they've got it in again. Looks like they have a new strategy to keep it in stock, they've upped the price. So you can either wait to get it at EB or Toys R Us for $54 or you can get it now at Future Shop for $70.
Dec 14, 2004 5:39pm
Oh yeah a note on that, good luck in finding the game before Christmas. It took me a week to track down a copy in the entire lower mainland (found it in Langley EB but they're sold out again). Your best bet is to reserve a copy somewhere. I do NOT recommend Future Shop for this, they didn't bother calling me at all when I had a copy reserved and sold it to the next guy (Future Shops "in stock" status is screwy too).
Dec 14, 2004 11:43am
I am Ponpoko on the Frostwolf server. Just started myself and I really love the game.
Dec 14, 2004 1:10pm
Donna:
That depends on what you're looking for. If you want to be able to jump in for 15 minutes, have some quick action fun, then City of Heroes is the choice. If you're more the type to enjoy adventuring and/or want to live inside the world, it's World of Warcraft.
In the long run I think World of Warcraft will be more satisfying, there's more to do, but for sheer visceral "OMG I'm Flying" thrill, it's hard to top City of Heroes.
Dec 14, 2004 2:43pm
Thanks. hmm. May have to make a request for christmas. :)
Dec 14, 2004 10:52am
If someone were to start playing fresh, and had to pick on... which would you recommend?
Feb 1, 2005 5:44pm
grumble cant decide. I love the carecter creation but i dont know how the gameplays going to be. I want to "live in the world" I want it to be extremly fun while being a great experinace. But on the other hand.... World of warcraft is on back order for who knows how long.Blizzard make more servers!!!!
May 10, 2007 1:29pm
I have been playing city of heroes for about a year and a half now...to me, it pretty much beats guild wars and WoW. I only say this because i love the non stop action city of heroes offers. I have only played WoW for a couple ours and I would like to play it longer, but it just lacks the action I need. Guild wars is pretty cool...but I got lonely going into the Wilderness part by myself...and it seems pretty hard to get someone to help you out with it. Just leaving my comment on the whole thing. Thnx =)
Jan 16, 2007 9:28am
Having played both games i would say city of heroes is much better main points are for your 9 quid you get both games per month ie city of heroes and city of villains where's in wow you don't.
in city of heroes you get free upgrade to the game ie issues we are now in to issue 8.
the other main thing is the creation aspect of city of heroes you can create a multitude of different heroes ranging from male, female and huge male different heights shapes and sizes every aspect can be changed wheres in wow you only have a predefined selection in which to work with this makes your characters very sameie and not unique at all
having tried wow i was disappointed where i was used to playing in a team this however was not the case in wow many hours spent on my own doing missions, graphicley the game is very pleasing on the eye but lacks the point of online gaming ie to team with your friends if you want great teaming and a fulfilling game i would recommend city of heroes how ever if you want to go online and be alone then choose wow.
Feb 9, 2007 4:54pm
i have been playing coh for 6 mounths my subscription has just run out and felt like a change is it worth it shud i just renew my coh acount? and shud i buy the expantion strait away?
Sep 29, 2007 8:15pm
Having Played WoW for 2 years myself (i just quit) it was a good game for the time being but u get bored to easy and when u do get to lvl70 (pretty soon lvl80) u will get bored, as i have i am doing the lil 14 day trail on CoH and ill check it out but other than that i am playing no current MMORPG because WoW is too boring for me
Oct 12, 2007 9:51pm
City of heroes kick ass
Nov 29, 2007 11:13pm
If u can play WoW, on ur computer, will city of heroes work too?
Dec 12, 2007 6:30pm
I think so. I can play WoW and City of Heroes/Villains, but maybe I just have a good computer. WoW graphics are really not the best, but there is virtually no lag, whereas on my computer, City of Heroes/Villains has some lag, but better graphics. Maybe the lag is just because it is a big MMORPG.
Jan 4, 2008 9:12am
as mentioned above, the team aspect of COH is much easeier and more abundant than WOW. all you really have to do in COH is push F9 and someone will contact asking if you want to join their party. its also easy to join forces and use class to your advantage.
for instance:
My controller can hold a large group of foes in place and stun them for a short time, then i can activate a storm that deals damage over time.
although im not doing a whole lot of damage to the group, they cant move. which gives an opportunity to a blaster to hit them from long range, while the two of us hang back and take minimal damage. and thats not including the tanks that could be in face to face whoopin on the bad guys.
also, transportation is awesome. i fly, and i think its awesome. i upgrade the speed as much as i can, and you can also have teleport, super speed, or super jump. (like the new hulk movie, clearing buildings in a single bound, that kinda thing.)you
and in case you ever get bored, team up with higher levels! lvl 50? make a new character!
Feb 16, 2008 10:08pm
I have played WoW before and I think its great, now im trying CoH inhhope it will be great...I will compare and cotrast later
Jul 24, 2008 3:37pm
I have been playing CoH for over 3 years now...i have played a little bit of WoW and personally I think CoH blows wow out of the freaking water.
Docter Death- lvl 50 blaster freedom server
PL Beast- lvl 50 controller freedom
PvP Bro 1- lvl 50 tanker freedom
Aug 13, 2008 7:20am
It depends how into your MMORPGs you are. Personally I prefer CoH, it's one of the few unique titles in the genre. WoW is popular because it was the right game at the right time, and Blizzard know how to retain gamers (they do just enough to keep you playing).
I'm keen to see how DC Universe does when they, by the sound of it, try to replicate what City of Heroes has acheieved.
Sep 20, 2008 1:26pm
I have played wow for 6 months and have played every race and class there is. My best was a lvl 62 dwarf hunter. I have yet to play any others but am making COH my newest one as i find getting into the higher tiers of wow and finding help is getting hard as you else have to have your friends playing or pay for runs to get the endgame gear needed to continue on...........i hope COH is as much fun as wow has been for me the last 6 months.
Oct 30, 2008 9:44pm
I just got CoH vs. CoV, via the buy option on the website, and just finished downloading it, as I am typing this. I am about to try the game out, by making a villian (Hell yeah, I like evil shit.) Anyways, I'll let all you curious people out there know what the game is like, seeing as though I've played WoW since Closed Beta. My WoW characters are a level 70 warlock, 61 druid, and 49 rogue, on Burning Legion (Alliance). I'll report back soon, to let you guys know. Cheers!
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