See also: Mygamer.com’s City of Heroes standard edition review.
The question is on your lips; it’s almost audible: “I’ve been hearing a lot about this new DVD edition of City of Heroes, and I’m wondering, you know, should I get it?”
Your feverish need for a worthy and reliable answer is palpable: “The forums are jumping with info about the new Prestige Power Slide ability, and the new semi-transparent Spirit Cape, and hey, they say that a Hero Clix statue of none other than Statesman himself is in the box! And I hear that everyone that registers the DVD edition gets a special VIP badge, too! So, come on, Mygamer, tell me, is it worth it?”
To sum it up in one, clear cut, definitive, all encompassing word: Depends. Should you purchase the DVD Edition when you already own the game? Well, we hate to say it, but no. However, if you’re new to City of Heroes, and are wondering if the extra content combined with the gaming experience is worth the asking price – then, in that case, probably, yeah.
Don’t be mistaken, the new stuff is pretty cool (what you actually receive in the DVD edition, over that of the standard game, is outlined later), but if you already own a copy of the game it’s probably wisest not shell out $45USD to buy it all over again for a few extra in-game goodies and an updated map. Also, bear in mind that Statesman and the other CoH developers have been talking about the possibility of allowing current users to purchase the DVD extras for a small fee at some point in the future. But now, let’s talk specifically about what you get in the DVD package:
The Prestige Power Slide ability: This power (which becomes available to all your existing characters, as well as any new ones you create) allows you to slide across the ground instead of Sprinting – ala Ice Man from those old Spider-Man and Friends cartoons we watched in days of yore. Read that feature note carefully: “Instead – of – Sprinting”. It is not a travel power like Super Speed, but merely an alternative way to run. One thing that is cool about it, however, is that the graphic effects – groovy purplish haze drifting about the feet as well, as a surfing stance that replaces the standard run animation – stack on top of Super Speed, Leap, or Fly, meaning that, if your character has that travel power, he’ll slide super fast, and fly with purple glowing feet, etc. This is a great-looking power for any character with cold-based abilities, but other than that is merely something to make the newbs exclaim: “How are you doing that?!” Special note, however, must be made for the sound effects attached to the power, an unpleasant screechy, scraping noise reminiscent of rusty steel roller skates on concrete. After a few hours of listening to it you may be more than ready to turn the sound down, or even the power off.
The Spirit Cape: Characters that have reached Level 20 can choose to wear a cape (check out any in-game Icon Shop for details). The DVD edition gives you the ability to choose this semi-transparent cape as well as the long and short varieties offered in the standard game. It’s not a bad effect and perhaps looks better than you’d imagine, but the option to choose a differing pattern, over the single one you’re limited to (or even just plain) would have been a nice addition.
The VIP Badge: As far as this reviewer can tell the VIP Badge gives you nothing more than bragging rights. The badge appears in the ?Accomplishments’ area; the section that’s usually reserved for the best badges. You’d have to assume that the developers wanted to duly reward those consumers that shelled out the extra cash.
But wait, there’s more! In addition to these in-game items, the City of Heroes DVD Edition is also packed with other goodies, including the entire contents of Add-on packs Editions #1 and #2, the CoH Movie Competition winners for Best Action Film and Best Comedy, and an updated city map (Edition #2 added in some new game zones); there’s also a small comic book produced by the guys over at PvPOnline.com, a preview of the upcoming City of Heroes novel, and even, for those of you that collect them or are just interested in a monitor toy, a special Limited Edition Hero Clix statue of none other than Paragon City’s premiere hero, the Statesman.
Granted, most of the DVD’s extra content can be downloaded for free, but the addition of the Edition #1 and #2 content will definitely spare you a very long patch download (this alone is worth the extra $5 or $10 over the standard City of Heroes – especially if you’re on analog dial-up), and the updated map and PvP comic are credible additions, too. Personally, I’m not a Hero Clix player, but it is fun (and handy) to have a tiny Statesman on my monitor for those times when I get Map Server disconnections and need to slap something across the room.
So, if you’re new to City of Heroes and are wondering if it’s worth splashing out for the DVD edition, then I’d say, yeah, go ahead. The Power Slide ability could just be the perfect ?defining touch’ for your new character, and you might love the Spirit Cape. If you already have the game and, despite this review, still insist on buying the new edition, know this: all you need to do to get the new in-game content is go to your CityofHeroes.com membership area and Upgrade to the DVD edition with the enclosed activation code – you do not need to reload the game. I tested this and had the new content available within five minutes.
See you in Paragon City!
