Summary

• Release Year: 2004
• Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
• Platforms: Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
• Developers: Cryptic Studios, Paragon Studios
• Publishers: NCSOFT

City of Heroes: A Retrospective

City of Heroes was a superhero-themed MMORPG developed by Cryptic Studios and published by NCSoft. It was released in April 2004 and ran until November 2012. The game allowed players to create their own superhero and fight crime in a persistent online world.

City of Heroes was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, deep character customization, and engaging story. The game won numerous awards, including Game of the Year from IGN and MMORPG of the Year from GameSpot.

In April 2019, source code capable of running a City of Heroes server was distributed widely. This made it possible to create City of Heroes servers outside the direct purview of NCSoft and revived interest in the game, which by then had been out of development for more than six years.

As of January 2024, NCSoft has not moved to have servers based on this source code shut down. On January 4, 2024, NCSoft officially granted Homecoming Servers LLC who operated the rogue server Homecoming: City of Heroes an official license to host the game.

Gameplay

City of Heroes was a superhero-themed MMORPG. Players created their own superhero and fought crime in a persistent online world. The game featured a deep character customization system, allowing players to create unique heroes with their own powers, costumes, and backstories.

City of Heroes was also known for its innovative combat system. The game used a tab-targetting system, but players could also use a variety of powers and abilities to control the battlefield. The game also featured a unique power system that allowed players to combine different powers to create new and devastating effects.

Setting

City of Heroes was set in the fictional city of Paragon City. Paragon City was a modern metropolis that was home to a variety of superheroes and villains. The city was constantly under threat from crime and chaos, and it was up to the players to protect the city and its citizens.

Characters

City of Heroes featured a wide variety of characters, both heroes and villains. Players could create their own hero and choose from a variety of powers, costumes, and backstories. The game also featured a number of pre-made heroes and villains, including fan favorites such as Statesman, Miss Militia, and Lord Recluse.

Story

City of Heroes featured a deep and engaging story. The game’s story was told through a series of missions and cutscenes. The story revolved around the heroes of Paragon City as they fought to protect the city from crime and chaos.

Reception

City of Heroes was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, deep character customization, and engaging story. The game won numerous awards, including Game of the Year from IGN and MMORPG of the Year from GameSpot.

City of Heroes was also a commercial success. The game sold over 2 million copies worldwide and generated over $100 million in revenue.

Legacy

City of Heroes is considered to be one of the greatest MMORPGs of all time. The game’s innovative gameplay, deep character customization, and engaging story have left a lasting legacy on the genre. City of Heroes is still played by a dedicated community of fans, and the game’s source code has been released, allowing fans to create their own servers and continue to play the game.

The Future of City of Heroes

The future of City of Heroes is uncertain. NCSoft has not announced any plans to revive the game, but the game’s source code has been released, allowing fans to create their own servers and continue to play the game. It is possible that NCSoft will eventually decide to revive the game, but for now, the future of City of Heroes is in the hands of the fans.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots