City of Villains

City of Villains
Developer(s)	Cryptic Studios, Paragon Studios
Publisher(s)	NCsoft
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Release date(s)	October 28, 2005
Genre(s)	MMORPG
Mode(s)	Multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: T PEGI: 16
Media/distribution	Optical disc
System requirements Internet connection; Windows 2000/XP; Intel Pentium III 800 MHz or AMD Athlon 800 MHz; 512 MB RAM; CD-ROM drive; 4 GB available HDD space; GeForce 2 Series or ATI Radeon 500 Series video card; DirectX 9.0c; 16-bit sound card; 56k modem; keyboard and mouse

City of Villains is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the superhero comic book genre, developed by Cryptic Studios and published by NCSoft. Released on October 31, 2005 (Halloween), the game is integrated with their previous release, City of Heroes. The gameplay centers on defeating a variety of computer controlled opponents within a three-dimensional world using various powers and attacks, sometimes with the help of several other players.

On July 16, 2008, NCsoft merged the two games' content together; thus a player who only owned City of Heroes could now play City of Villains, and vice versa. Prior to this, a purchase was required to access either game's content, but they were linked by one account and subscription fee.^[1] While both games are considered the same title after the merge, City of Villains still enjoys many improvements from the merged features while still receiving improvements on its unique zones and player features that are not accessible on City of Heroes.

The expansion City of Heroes: Going Rogue released on August 17, 2010, which allows characters in City of Villains that are at least Level 20 to switch sides to City of Heroes and continue play as either a Hero (with the same villain archetype abilities), or as a Vigilante or Rogue with limited access to both sides as a single character.

Differences between the games

As City of Villains was an expansion to City of Heroes as well as its own standalone title, it introduced several changes that are unique to the game. One of the primary changes to the game was the ability to play as a supervillain, with new Archetypes (classes) and powers unique to Villains. Other changes to the game include:

• An instant-access mission system, the Newspaper. Players look through the newspaper for noteworthy articles, such as a valuable item being kept in a museum, then act upon them.
• Player vs Player areas for Hero vs. Villain conflict. This addition was an expansion on CoH's Arena areas, which allowed for Hero vs. Hero battles. Villain vs. Villain is also available in the game.
• Sharper and more detailed graphics, ragdoll physics, and other visual improvements.
• Ability to create/access Super Group bases.

These features have been implemented into City of Heroes. Initially, the use of Super Group bases in City of Heroes required an account with City of Villains access. Later, NCSoft gave subscribers to either game access to both games, allowing all players to use Super Group bases. Any account or game code which gave access to only one game now grants access to both games. The instant-access mission system has been ported to City of Heroes as the Police Band radio, where heroes listen for crimes in progress and act to prevent them.

Missions

The player's initial tutorial is "Breakout" (the name of which is the inverse of City of Heroes tutorial, "Outbreak") where their character must escape from prison (specifically Zigursky Penitentiary, "The Zig," located in Brickstown) to go to the Rogue Isles, where the majority of the game takes place. After this point, the player gains missions both from the new Newspaper system and from more traditional contacts.

The game has diverse missions which have objectives such as bank robberies and kidnappings, in addition to the mission types currently available in City of Heroes. Players are able to choose between the different types of missions offered by the newspaper. Another type of mission is the Supergroup mission, where your entire Supergroup will be able to take on a difficult challenge. Also, since the release of Issue 7 'Destiny Manifest', players can participate in Mayhem Missions, where villains travel to instanced areas of Paragon City and harass citizens, rob stores, destroy property, and cause general mayhem for a limited amount of time.

Player vs. Player

One major focus of City of Villains is the expansion of Player versus player (PvP) combat. Although PvP was introduced to City of Heroes prior to the release of City of Villains through the Arena combat system, CoV substantially expands the variety and importance of PvP combat.

Three new modes of PvP are included in the expansion:

• There are specific PvP zones which both villains and heroes are able to enter in order to fight each other. These zones contain special objects which provide certain benefits to whichever side is in control of the map. Warburg allows open PvP, where players can attack any other player, while the other zones (Recluse's Victory, Siren's Call, Bloody Bay) allow faction-based PvP, where heroes can only attack villains and vice versa.
• For a short time, Items of Power were available after a supergroup completed the Cathedral of Pain trial. If a Supergroup's base contains an Item of Power, the lair is open to (scheduled) raids by any other Supergroup which owns fewer Items of Power. Items of Power confer modest stat bonuses to all members of the owning supergroup. The Cathedral of Pain trial, along with the Items of Power system, have been disabled for some time.
• Players may earn gladiators by accumulating gladiator badges. These gladiators act as proxy fighters for the new gladiator mode of Arena combat.

Bases

A base foyer.

Players can create bases for their villain groups. These allow the player to meet-up with other players privately and gain access to useful game facilities. From a base, players can travel directly to specific zones, buy Enhancements and Inspirations, or acquire missions, for example.

"Items of Power" can be stored here. These items provide the supergroupgroup with stat bonuses, but also opens up the base for raiding (see also "Player vs. Player" above). The bases can be equipped with traps and other countermeasures to help fend off these raids. During scheduled base defense time periods any other supergroup will be able to raid the base and attempt to seize an Item Of Power. The trial to acquire Items of Power was disabled shortly after its release due to the presence of a game-breaking exploit. This left player-scheduled Base Raids with no rewards beyond bragging rights as the only avenue for base combat, until the Base Raid system was disabled in Issue 13.

In order to construct a base, the members of the supergroup must acquire in-game currency known as Prestige. Prestige is earned by members of the supergroup when they play their characters in "Supergroup mode." It is then spent to buy rooms, place items, and pay upkeep expenses for a base. Additionally there is a form of crafting using "Salvage" acquired from defeated NPCs. With Salvage and a worktable placed in a base, players can create various items such as more powerful hospitals or turrets. These placed items can make your base less vulnerable to attack, provide additional functionality for your Supergroup, or increase the visual appeal of your base.

In game items

There are many different types of items available for use in City of Villains and Heroes. The items mentioned here are all in both associated games.

Inspirations

Inspirations are used by players in the game as temporary power ups for different stats or abilities. They are acquired by killing enemies, or buying for a small price from a Quartermaster. They are very common, but some are rarer and more expensive than others. The different stats that can be modified using these 30 to 60 second power ups are:

• Damage of all abilities, making your character deal more hit points worth of damage
• Accuracy of all abilities, making your character hit more often
• Resisting all status effects that could prevent you from attacking/moving
• Defence, making your character harder to hit
• Resistance, making your character take less damage

There are also inspirations that can boost other things than stats. Such as:

• A boost to your health
• Resurrection after death, penalties for dying will still apply

Power ups in this regard are used to get out of tough situations, or just to complete a mission faster, or easier.

Enhancements

Enhancements are permanent bonuses to specific powers. They are obtained by killing enemies, or buying from a Quartermaster, and are more rare and expensive than Inspirations. They get more expensive the higher level your character is. When an enhancement is applied to a power, it is locked into that power, and cannot be moved. It can, however, be deleted or overwritten. When overwritten, the enhancement previously locked into the power is lost, and cannot be recovered. Enhancements can alter all different stats and are permanent, but can only affect one power, and until the higher levels, do not affect them as much as Inspirations.

Salvage

There are 2 main types of salvage. Invention salvage allows you to craft recipes with it to make an Invention Enhancement. The other type is Special salvage. The main types being Merits that you gain after completing a Task Force to be turned in for Recipes. The other being Rikti War Zone (RWZ) Merits that allow you to turn in merits you gain from killing Rikti, into costume pieces and temporary powers. Other Special Salvage you can gain are only available during some special events.

Invention system

The invention system is used by players to make advanced enhancements, inspirations, and salvage that can be used for personal gain, or sold for profit. All invention items require a recipe and an assortment of salvage (listed on the recipe itself) to complete the creation.

Invention Enhancements

Invention Enhancements increase the single power by more of the respective stat, and can also modify multiple stats with one enhancement, and with limited space on powers for enhancements, that can be very useful.

Invention Powers

Invention Powers are created by players, and can be used by the player that creates them. They are usually a type of gun, or short range combat weapon used by the player in addition to his normal powers.

Invention Salvage

Invention Salvage is used to make all types of invention items. There are many different types of invention salvage, and they all are used in different amounts, making invention items. You must also have the recipe to create the item, though.

Invention recipes

Recipes are needed, along with Invention Salvage, to create invention items. Recipes can require:

• Invention Salvage
• Infamy
• Level

Invention items can turn the tide of any battle, and are a must-have for high level players.

History

Main article: History of City of Heroes and City of Villains

Beta testing for City of Villains began in August 2005 and ended a few days before release with an event where the developers played famous NPC heroes attacking the Rogue Isles. The update history of City of Villains mirrors that of City of Heroes and starts at Issue #6 "Along Came a Spider" where the content of both games were linked. Issue #7 titled "Destiny Manifest" introduced electricity powers and the "Mayhem Missions" in which one can invade CoH's Paragon City and rob banks and cause mayhem as well as a new player versus player zone known as Warburg. Issue #8 titled "To Protect and Serve" did not influence CoV as much as it did CoH. Issue #9 titled "Breakthrough" introduced the Inventions and auction house systems. Issue #10 "Invasion" focused on the Rikti villain group that is central to the backstory of City of Heroes, and the Rikti War Zone was, so far, unique in that it is designed around the concept of the heroes and villains working together against the Rikti, whereas in player vs. player zones, villains and heroes are on opposing sides in any conflict which occurs, save for Warburg, which is described by the City of Heroes website as a 'free-for-all' zone where it's every character for themselves. Issue #11 "A Stitch In Time" introduced the Ourobouros group and time travel. This issue also introduced two new power sets for melee characters, weapon customization (on drawn weapons) and the Flashback system. Issue #12 gave Villains the chance to get their own Epic Archetype (after leveling a Villain to 50) who have a career tree style leveling, unique to these two Archetypes.

Also, just like City of Heroes, City of Villains shares holiday-themed events, such as the Christmas and New Years Eve-themed Winter Event, a Valentine's Day event, and a Halloween event. The various games' anniversaries are also celebrated by rewarding players with items for signing on.

Character creation

Creating a character consists of several steps. First the player selects an Origin, an Archetype and a primary and secondary power set. Next the actual avatar with its costume is created. Lastly, the player chooses a name and can optionally write a background story to add some flavor to the character as well as creating an individual battle cry.

There are five Origins a player can choose for his/her character that dictate what type of enhancements the character may use, affect a single short-ranged power and can influence the various hero groups that the character goes up against; these origins are Natural, Magic, Science, Mutation, and Technology.

There are five basic Archetypes (or classes) in City of Villains that affect a character's Power choices throughout the game. Brutes are primarily melee fighters with some defensive powers who do more damage the longer they stay in combat. Corruptors are primarily long-ranged fighters who deal moderate damage and secondary powers that either weaken their foes or strengthen their allies. Dominator primary powersets focus on preventing foes from moving and attacking while their secondary set consists of moderate offensive powers. Masterminds are able to summon various Henchmen to do their bidding and can bolster their Henchmen with powers from their secondary set. Stalkers are melee specialists who rely on the power "Hide" to increase their damage potential.

A sixth "Epic" character Archetype was added in Issue 12: Soldiers Of Arachnos. This Archetype allows players to play as stronger versions of Arachnos minions encountered throughout the game, discover many secrets about the inner workings of Arachnos and its secret societies and achieve high ranks. They are also unique amongst CoH/CoV characters to date in having branching career trees. At level 24, Blood Widows can choose between the Fortunata (Dominator/Ranged Psychic attacks) and Night Widow (Stalker/Ranged Psychic attacks) paths, while Wolf Spiders can pick the Crab Spider (Corruptor with summons) or Bane Spider (Stalker/Brute with summons) paths. These are unlocked by reaching level 50 (later lowered to 20) on a Villain character, similar to the method of unlocking the Kheldian Archetypes in CoH.

Setting

Main article: Universe of City of Heroes

City of Villains takes place on the fictional Rogue Isles off the coast of Bermuda in the Atlantic ocean, which used to be a French colony and later a pirate haven. The Rogue Isles have acquired United Nations status. The Rogue Isles are under the control of a new and powerful villain group, Arachnos, led by Lord Recluse. Unlike City of Heroes, the zones in City of Villains run in a linear pattern; as your character levels higher, they progress to the next zone. These zones also lack the "War Walls" to divide them, and require the use of ferries or helicopters to traverse between islands.

General references

• City of Villains Binder, PRIMA Official Game Guide, Eric Mylonas, Prima Games (2005). ISBN 0-7615-5206-5
• City of Villains Exclusive Binder Update Content, Issue 7: Destiny Manifest, PRIMA Official Game Guide, Jack Emmert and the Cryptic Studios Design Team, Prima Games (2006). ISBN 0-7615-5350-9

References

1. ^ "It's All Access for City of Heroes and City of Villains | City of Heroes". 2008-07-16. http://www.cityofheroes.com/news/news_archive/its_all_access.html. Retrieved 2009-05-12. 

External links

• Official website