DC Universe Online

Like 50% of people, I say pass. As far as appropriateness goes, it should be fine for most tweens and teens I think, but haven't played much of it. I'm not just saying that because I'm 14, I'm EXTREMELY picky about what I let my brothers play or watch or read, or other kids I have influence over who are younger. I am a little wary of even the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid for them. Now about the game: This is a button masher for sure, like most super hero games. It's full of glitches and flaws, and very very boring. The whole create a super hero/villan and play is a pretty good concept (that I actually made a very convincing Bucky Barnes, just with a kinda weird shirt with ;)) which I have been wanting in a video game literally FOREVER. Like lots of years. They executed that pretty well. But when you get to the game (which by the way took many attempts to load after the several hour setup, and takes long loading periods anyway) it's just quite frankly one of the worst games I ever played. On the 'tutouriol' level where you're escaping from a holder, it was kind of hard (mostly on account of my tiny screen) to figure out what to do. I had to fight HORDES of guards, and never once came near dying, despite having to figure out controls and such (it was a download, had no manual). The bad guys took MANY hits (even basic ones) with my automatic rapid fire rifle to die. Not always a bad thing, but on this game it adds to the button masher effect. After beating this, you go to the headquarters type of place. It's pretty hard to figure out all the stuff there, such as merchants you have to get in good with to buy stuff from, 'banks' to view inventory, and lots of other stuff. It kept telling me to go to gotham to continue my mission, but I had no idea how, and it sure wasn't telling me. I tried the map, but it did nothing. Finally I found something (out of the HUNDREDS of different things to do that are mostly just different looking ways to launch the same type of merchant/menu or whatever) and it happened to be a portal type thing. It took me somewhere (it didn't tell me where it would take me. In fact, it didn't even tell me what it was. Like everything else, it just said 'hold circle' and when I did, it did it's thing), and I later found out it was metropolis a metropolis police department. I tried to find another portal thing, besides the one that I guess would have taken me back, and wandered into the streets. There were more pointless menus and stuff, and some badguys. I thought "hey, more button mashing that lasts forever". I was in for a suprise. I couldn't take down 1 basic thug without dying, and after that not more than 1, even though they had, well, fists. And I had my rapid fire rifle. I started exploring, going to the ONLY thing on the map besides what I thought was the teleporter back. I finally got close, and there was an invisible barrier that was the end of the map, so I couldn't really go over there. Then I went over a little, and then I couldn't find EITHER arrow or dot on the minimap. There were a few 'distressed civillians' and thugs randomly placed on top of skyscrapers or on the streets, and apparently some kind of brawl going on. One distressed citizen was saying something about losing his horse. He said 'now what do I have left, my wife?' and then I held circle, and he said something like 'it's alright, I'll get a new horse' and I got some XP. A little more aimlessly wandering, and I gave up. This game is just frustrating. Also seems pretty pointless right now. I may try again later (maybe it'll start me somewhere where I'll know what I'm doing, I didn't save), but I don't know. All this with the glitches, and just overall boring effect of the game, it seems pretty pointless. Any Batman or Superman etc. fan in they're right mind will want it, and may enjoy it. But coming in neutral (as far as DC, MARVEL or whatever, but very excited about the game mind you), I wasn't for or against it, so the problems shone more. If you're on the fence or aren't sure you or your kid can play it as far as content, just skip it and don't waste the time or money. I only have it because my brother got it free. He says he likes it, but that's just because he likes DC (Batman addict ;)). He can't argue with what I say. Hope this helps. EDIT: Sorry, can't really space it, it takes it away. But I have some edits, and some extra notes. It gets worse. All the people, even with can climb walls and it half the time looks like they're running up it, half the time poorly animated climbing that doesn't change angle with bends in the building. Also, anyone who doensn't fly can do this poorly animated double jump with super fast sprinting (not quite as fast as if you chose 'super speed'), and glide, barely dropping, almost like flying. Not neccasarily bad, just unrealistic. The whole 'ONLINE' part does nothing to add to the game really. Almost NO interaction, you just kinda see others. All it does is add that several hour inintial load time I mentioned, add to the load times, and add the 10, 15 dollar a month fee. And like they said, the controls are simple. My hero (who has a rifle) has 2 combat animations. Press triangle, and he will slowly walk around shooting (and if you hold L1 to lock on, then he hits even if he's backwards sometimes, but not often) and press square to use secondary attacks, which is basically melee, he will hit people with his gun a few different ways. Not neccasarilly the most advanced combat they could have given a game where you create a super hero. I hope the other powers are better made. That's all for now, but as I remember more, I'll add it for you. I had some more to say, but forgot by the time I got around to posting. Thanks for taking ALOT of time to read my review, or even just skim thru it. I know it's very long, and it didn't let me really space it, and with the combination of me being very long winded as far as talking AND as fast as I type (upto 60 words a minute, average 50_yes that's up to a word a second_when typing for speed, and a good 45 casually) I can and do say alot. Thanks for your patience and I hope this helps!