I Am Batman

With DC Universe Online’s November 2 release date firmly set and San Diego Comic-Con on the horizon, we had the chance to check out one of the last public demos of the game before it’s released into the wild. The ambitious massively multiplayer game, set for release on both the PC and the PlayStation 3, has made favorable impressions with both game players and comic fans since it was first shown off in 2008. The chance to create your own hero in the DC Universe and fight alongside the likes of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of DC’s diverse stable of superheroes in locations taken straight from the comic universe has definitely contributed to the game's appeal. While we’ve seen quite a bit of the game over the years, Sony Online Entertainment’s Austin studio, which is in the final stages of polishing the game, has a few surprises left for those counting the days until the game is released.

The Comic-Con demo is designed to showcase a new feature being announced during the convention: the chance to play as the iconic heroes of the DC universe. The feature will be possible in the game’s player-versus-player arenas in the context of a “simulation” to fit the story. Functionally, this means you’ll be able to play as Batman, Nightwing, The Joker, Harley Quinn, and other notable heroes and villains. To top things off, some arenas will be based in fan-favorite environments, such as the batcave, which was playable in the show demo. Before you start making plans to have a lengthy career as The Joker or Batman, be aware that you’ll have to do some work to unlock this feature. The simulations will be unlocked by using currency you earn in the game's standard PVP modes. The bigger the name you wish to play, the more it will cost you, so plan on investing some time to earn the funds. That said, Batman will be a bonus freebie for those that preorder the game, so anyone with a fiendish need for some dark knight action will want to give that some thought.

Why so serious? The Joker and several other iconic DC Comics characters will liven up DC Universe Online's player-versus-player battles.

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.

The caped crusader himself, and many more, will make appearances in the game's PVP arenas…and more characters will be added to the game in later updates.

While we’ve been playing DCUO at least once a year for a while now, we have to say we’re still anxious to get into the game. The game’s art style fits its source material, and the gameplay seems solid and accessible. We also have to point out that the gameplay seems to have been tightened up in this most recent version. The addition of iconic characters in PVP helps fulfill one of the most common requests from fans since the game was announced, so it’s definitely a good thing. And we’re especially pleased to hear that this kind of content that draws upon DC Comics lore will only grow after the game launches as SOE is planning on making more available as downloadable content. DC Universe Online is slated to ship this November for the PlayStation 3 and PC. Look for more on the game, including coverage of the upcoming beta, on GameSpot in the months to come.