Coming Home to City of Heroes Homecoming

City of Heroes was the first MMORPG I played. After I found my online gaming home in World of Warcraft, I only dabbled in it briefly in 2008, and I never really went back before it closed around 2012 or whatever. But a year ago, the developers of a fan server worked with the original developers to bring it back. I finally gave that a try.

Alright. I installed it early in the day because I thought I could just let it do its thing while I went about my business, but it only took a few minutes. I suppose because it’s still essentially a game that was meant to run on low grade 2003 computers? I went to the character creation screen to see what was up before I reminded myself that I shouldn’t even give it the 15 minutes at that point in what was going to be a busy day.

I went on later in that night to make a character and realized that morning’s restraint was especially wise because the creation did not take 15 minutes. It was probably closer to an hour. I knew the customization system was deep, but I didn’t think it would take me that long. Satisfying though.

Then I played for a few minutes and chose the villain alignment purely because I like the Rogue Isles better than the early hero zones. But because my chaotic neutrality skews towards positive ends, I’ll switch later on because that’s an option now and enjoy the later game’s more interesting hero zones.

Whenever I actually decide to play. Not in a rush. A taste was fun.

Back in the Paragon City Groove

Despite the fact I hadn’t really spent much time in it since the mid aughts, I never lost my appreciation for the setting of City of Heroes. It captured my heart to an extent most fresh superhero worlds don’t quite reach. I knew there was a novel that took place in its early years, but I was unable to find it in any digital format, which is how I read since I don’t like carrying books around. But I did find an old paperback copy and bought it just in case. That was years ago. 

When quarantine began, I pulled it out since more time at home meant more time to read in a place where the book was anyway. Then I got to the end and discovered there was another book, which I ordered immediately. Of course, in the current situation, it took months to arrive, which actually worked to my taste in the end since the story took place in an era long after that of the first book. 

Anyway, it’s been fun to revisit the world of the first big online game I ever played.

Bonus Question!

Best city for heroes?

If Marvel’s taught me anything, it’s the magnetic pull of New York for anyone with a superpower.