Champions Online

Free-to-play limits player choice and hurts the games longevity, but Champions remains a pretty, if passable MMO.

"Champions Online" is a Free-to-Play MMORPG that lets you become a superhero and defend the world from villains. The game offers total customization of your character's appearance, as well as depth and fast-paced action that challenges both new and experienced players. The "Shadow of Destruction" update introduces a new end-game zone for veteran players to explore and battle evil forces.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

55%

Audience ScoreBased on 160 reviews

story5 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Champions Online offers one of the most extensive character customization systems in any MMO, allowing players to create unique superheroes with a wide variety of powers and costumes.
The game has a vibrant community and is still receiving occasional updates, making it a fun experience for those who enjoy role-playing and creative character design.
Despite its flaws, many players find the core gameplay enjoyable, especially for those who appreciate the superhero genre and the ability to mix and match powers.

The transition to a free-to-play model has resulted in significant content being locked behind paywalls, making it difficult for returning players to access their old characters and powers without spending money.
Many players express frustration with the lack of new content and updates, leading to a stagnant gameplay experience that feels repetitive and unengaging over time.
The monetization strategy is seen as aggressive and exploitative, with players feeling pressured to spend money to enjoy the full range of features and customization options.

story
37 mentions
14 % positive mentions
76 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the depth and customization options for character backstories, while others criticize the repetitive nature of quests and lack of engaging storytelling. Although the game features a vibrant, comic book-inspired world with a variety of missions, many feel that the overall narrative has diminished over time, particularly after a significant takeover that removed much of the original content. While there are moments of enjoyable storytelling, the grind and lack of meaningful progression detract from the overall experience.
- “The character creation system and storyline was awesome.”
- “It was amazing storytelling.”
- “The comic book and tabletop inspired world of Champions is brought to life in a game full of character customization, developed story, and a steady flow of new content.”
- “In terms of gameplay, even as a wallet warrior, you still need a supporting cast to live up to the massive part of MMORPGs. However, there isn't much role-playing in it. Ever since that fateful takeover, much of the story in this once-promising title has been taken out.”
- “For the first many weeks, I enjoyed this game, but like with any MMO, it lost my interest when quests basically became the same thing over and over again, with egregious glitches preventing certain instances from working properly.”
- “The quality of the missions is very lackluster and can hardly be called engaging.”
gameplay
23 mentions
17 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this MMORPG is characterized by a deep character customization system and a solid, medium-paced battle mechanic, appealing to both free and paying players. However, many users express frustration over the lack of new content and powers since the game's acquisition, as well as a clunky interface and limited controls. While the game offers a variety of gameplay experiences and regular updates, the free-to-play model is criticized for locking significant customization options behind paywalls, leading to a perception of overly grindy gameplay with minimal depth.
- “I left City of Heroes for this game because of its superior gameplay, and DC Universe Online felt creatively constrictive by comparison when it came to character creation.”
- “At its best, it's a game with a solid medium-pace battle system that boasts some of the most in-depth character mechanics in any game I've played to date.”
- “I find it refreshing to find a game where the gameplay contents are free, with regular updates, monthly events, and a thriving community; a free-to-play game where paid content is never necessary but always welcome.”
- “One problem I have with it is that, since it was bought by its current owner, there's been almost no new powers, costume sets, gameplay elements, or new content at all for years.”
- “Subscription changes, out-of-touch developers, and, in general, overly grindy gameplay with no actual depth.”
- “After the fun of creating a character, I encountered a kludgy gameplay interface, limited controls, no walkthrough of any kind (to introduce you to how to manage your character, find/accomplish any goals, or even read your UI), and so far the actual content seems written for an 8-year-old comprehension level.”
monetization
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game has been criticized for being aggressive and outdated, with many players feeling it has turned into a cash grab focused on microtransactions rather than meaningful content updates. New players are particularly warned about the heavy reliance on monetization features, which can limit gameplay unless they are willing to spend significantly. While some players appreciate the customization options available through these transactions, the overall sentiment leans towards dissatisfaction with the current monetization strategy.
- “The game was one of the first to have microtransactions in it.”
- “Although limited by the free service in some aspects, through the use of microtransactions or the subscription, the customization is limited only by your imagination (and your wallet). If you're looking for a new MMO and enjoy playing the role of superhero/heroine, Champions Online is a great start, and you can take comfort in knowing it's only getting better and better.”
- “It just needs updates and better monetization.”
- “First and foremost, if you are a new player, be warned: this game has some of the most aggressive monetization I’ve ever seen in an online game.”
- “The game hasn’t had a content injection for a very, very long time, and if the last few years are indicative, do not expect any new content outside of new monetization features.”
- “Outdated gameplay and now a cash grab; it's just not worth it to get pulled into, nor any other PWE game.”
graphics
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game's comic book-inspired graphics are vibrant but can be visually overwhelming for some players, leading to discomfort over time. While the art style is colorful, it has been criticized for feeling inferior to other titles like DC Universe Online and Star Trek Online. However, the graphics are smoother on PC, allowing for better character customization.
- “The graphics are smoother, and you can still look like your DC or Marvel characters!”
- “I know it's supposed to look like a comic book, but the graphic style hurts my eyes after a while.”
- “The graphics, while bright and vibrant, feel inferior to DC Universe Online and Star Trek Online.”
- “Add to that, the game is pretty goofy, both in art style and scripting.”
grinding
5 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players criticize the grinding aspect of the game as excessively tedious and lacking depth, with many feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. While character customization and community engagement are praised, the repetitive nature of grinding, especially during seasonal events, is a significant drawback for many users.
- “Subscription changes, out of touch devs, and, in general, overly grindy gameplay with no actual depth.”
- “The almost unlimited character customization (there are premium for-pay character appearance parts) is nice and so is the game's community, but I didn't like the grinding and the glitches.”
- “The seasonal events demand a high bar of grinding, so if you want a specific costume part be prepared to spend hours doing the same missions until the end of the event.”
stability
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been criticized for being plagued with numerous bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in quest instances. While players appreciate the character customization and community aspects, the repetitive nature of quests and technical issues have led to a decline in interest over time.
- “They then treat the game as more or less done, buggy as all hell and no content.”
- “For the first many weeks, I enjoyed this game, but like with any MMO, it lost my interest when quests basically became the same thing over and over again with egregious glitches preventing certain instances from working properly.”
- “The almost unlimited character customization is nice and so is the game's community, but I didn't like the grinding and the glitches.”
music
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the option to play their own music from platforms like Winamp and iTunes while engaging in gameplay, enhancing their experience as they battle enemies. This feature allows for a personalized soundtrack that complements the action.
- “The ability to play my own music from Winamp/iTunes while I slam evil.”
- “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous.”
- “The sound effects are poorly mixed and often drown out the music.”
character development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-300 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the freeform character design system, indicating that it enhances their engagement and interest in character development. This flexibility allows for a more personalized gaming experience, catering to individual preferences.
- “I installed it because I'd heard they created a freeform character design system, and I really wanted to try it out.”
- “I installed it because I'd heard they created freeform character design, so I really wanted to try out the system.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices that impact the story.”
- “I was disappointed by the limited options for character customization; it felt like I was just picking from a preset list.”
replayability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing multiple paths, varied character choices, and dynamic environments that encourage exploration and experimentation. Many players appreciate the inclusion of different difficulty levels and unlockable content, which adds to the incentive to replay. However, some note that certain aspects may feel repetitive after several playthroughs, potentially diminishing the overall experience.
- “The game offers a multitude of choices that significantly alter the storyline, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
- “With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back to this game time and again to try something new.”
- “The dynamic world and random events ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the experience exciting and unpredictable.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back. The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying feel pointless.”
- “The game offers a linear experience with no real variations in gameplay, which severely limits its replayability.”
- “After finishing the main story, I found that there were no new challenges or content to explore, making it hard to justify a second playthrough.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its funny missions and extensive cross-references, contributing to an engaging and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the great customizability and the variety of adventure packs that enhance the comedic elements throughout gameplay.
- “Great customizability, nice gameplay, funny missions, thousands of cross-references, awesome adventure packs; the list goes on.”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever writing and hilarious character interactions that keep you laughing.”
- “I love how the game incorporates humor into its quests, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”