DC Universe Online Previews
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The demo we tried let us get a taste of what to expect from this feature, and we have to say it's a pretty cool addition to an already-compelling package. The batcave map let us engage in a two-on-two match that pit The Joker and Harley Quinn against Batman and Nightwing. Each character had unique abilities that fit him or her well. The Joker was equipped with a jetpack and an assortment of zany firepower, while Harley's attacks made use of an oversized hammer and explosives. Batman had a mix of gadget-based attacks and stealth, while Nightwing had a unique set of fast, acrobatic attacks--some of which resembled the combat style of his former teacher. While the dark knight and his former partner obviously have the home-field advantage in the cave, the arena featured plenty of interactive elements that could be used to deal with the opposition. Quick-thinking fighters can activate turrets that blast enemies, toss explosive barrels, trigger a health-regenerating effect within a specific area, set off freezing effects, and--our personal favorite--use robotic bat drones, which are powerful weapons that also look pretty cool in action.
The match we played lasted 10 minutes and focused on holding an area for the longest amount of time while fending off our foes. The capture location sat in the center of the area, which featured three different area levels. Between each area, we could move on our own volition or be smacked around by our enemies. Aside from the slick interactive elements peppered throughout the level, there were plenty of fan-service touches that Batman aficionados will appreciate, such as the dinosaur, the giant penny, and giant playing cards--artifacts that the caped crusader stores in his lair--in plain view.
Before proceeding into what was learned during a panel discussion with the SOE team, comic artist Jim Lee, and Joker voice actor Mark Hamill (including that the game will ship on November 2nd):
Lee said it's "a little surreal" to see the game nearing its release date as he's been plugging away on the project since 2005. It's also rewarding that he can finally tell people the game is set to launch November 2.
On reprising his role as the Joker, Hamill said it's "fun to get behind the wheel of that crazy car." Acting for an animated feature is liberating in some ways, Hamill said, because it lets him take more chances knowing nobody can actually see him. He also added that he's been pleased with the sporadic nature of his work as the Joker over the years, likening it to an excellent seasoning in a stew. Doing a few episodes and projects here and there has helped keep the character special, he said.
Hamill isn't the only familiar voice in the game. Kevin Conroy is also stepping under the cowl of Batman once more, and Adam Baldwin is taking up the role of Superman. Gina Torres rounds out DC's heroic big three cast as Wonder Woman. While the game does feature iconic characters like those three, Lee said he's happy the game features Ambush Bug, Egg Fu and other lesser-known characters that fans of the comics have never seen in games before.
And then IGN does their own thing:
See, the battle I was in tasked Batman and me with protecting the Batcomputer in the Batcave from the Joker and Harley. Every time one of us was knocked out, that team lost points. If the Batcomputer was hurt, we lost points. The first team to run out of points lost the match. Simple stuff.
However, I wasn't really able to focus on the mission at hand. Instead, I found myself running all over the cave and exploring. Back when I first met Jim Lee, he talked about the iconic stuff he and the developers were bringing to this game to make it feel like the world you knew. Jump ahead two years, and I'm leaping around the Batcave and scoping out the T-Rex, the giant penny, the docked Batplane and the oversized Joker card. It looked exactly like I'd expect the Batcave to look although I didn't see Robin costumes under glass and that's pretty rad for a DC fanboy like myself.
