Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

City of Villains flips the script from its predecessor by putting you in the shoes of the nefarious mastermind rather than the altruistic hero. Character creation offers the same robust archetype-and-power-set system that City of Heroes fans will recognize, but with a twist: you can choose from new villain-specific powers like the destructive Obliteration Blast or the fear-inducing Terror Aura. As you progress, your villain gains infamy, unlocking high-stakes criminal operations like armored car heists, bank raids, and Syndicate turf wars.

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The game world of Paragon City and its surrounding islands feels alive with law enforcement NPCs, rival villain factions, and patrolling hero characters that respond dynamically to your crimes. If you shake down a convenience store or blow open a vault, cops will sprint into action and heroes may intervene, leading to impromptu PvE battles that feel unpredictable and rewarding. This reactive system keeps each mission fresh, since you never know whether local authorities will arrive on foot, in armored vehicles, or with backup from a hero patrol.

Cooperative play is a highlight—villains can band together into Strike Forces to pull off elaborate schemes, such as kidnapping public officials or raiding classified research facilities. Working with fellow rogues not only makes tougher missions more manageable but also unlocks group-only content, including raid-style encounters like the Shrunken-Head Brigade hideout. Managing your own Villain Group lets you set up war rooms, assign roles, and carve out your presence on the server’s criminal underworld leaderboards.

For players who crave open conflict, there’s also the Corridors of Power PvP zone, where heroes and villains clash in short, arena-style battles with unique objectives. Victory here can yield exclusive cosmetic rewards or temporary buffs back in the main world. While PvP isn’t mandatory for progression, it offers a welcome change of pace and a chance to test your build against live opponents rather than scripted NPCs.

Graphics

Although City of Villains launched in the mid-2000s, its art direction has aged better than many contemporaries thanks to a stylized, comic-book-inspired aesthetic. Characters are lean and colorful, with bold outlines and exaggerated animations that emphasize superhuman powers in spectacular fashion. Whether you’re summoning bolts of dark energy or unleashing a fiery tornado, the visual flourishes remain satisfying and distinct.

The environments bring the darker side of Paragon City to life with gritty back alleys, neon-soaked nightclubs, and heavily fortified hideouts. Lair customization allows you to decorate interiors with ominous sculptures, cartoonish torture devices, or sleek high-tech control consoles. Even if you’re not the lair-hoarding type, visiting a friend’s or rival group’s base offers a peek into creative possibilities and can spark inspiration for your own secret headquarters.

Performance is generally solid on modern hardware, though you may notice occasional texture pop-in or less-detailed character faces at long draw distances. The game’s flexible graphics settings let you dial down shadows or particle effects to maintain smooth frame rates during intense group battles. Overall, City of Villains strikes a comfortable balance between visual flair and accessibility for players on a wide range of systems.

Story

City of Villains weaves an engaging narrative that positions you as a rising star in the criminal underworld. From humble beginnings robbing armored vans to plotting against the city’s protectors, each mission feels like a chapter in your ascent to infamy. NPCs such as the enigmatic Crime Lord and the power-hungry Baroness Terrah draw you deeper into schemes that range from galvanizing stolen plasma energy to controlling the very flow of information in Paragon City.

Missions are peppered with witty banter, moral ambiguity, and unexpected twists. Allies can become liabilities, and rival factions may unknowingly aid your progress—only to betray you when it suits them. This shade-of-gray approach to villainy adds depth and keeps you guessing about who to trust. Even the most one-dimensional thugs have backstories that enrich the game world, making simple PvE tasks feel part of a broader tapestry of intrigue and power struggles.

Although the overarching plot occasionally falls back on familiar MMO tropes—collect X items, eliminate wave after wave of foes—the clever dialogue and well-paced mission structure prevent it from feeling rote. Story arcs culminate in memorable set-piece encounters, like breaking into a high-security fortress or sabotaging a hero stronghold from the inside. These moments underscore that you’re not just a criminal; you’re a villain with ambition, flair, and a laser focus on toppling Paragon’s finest.

Overall Experience

City of Villains stands out as a compelling expansion that doubles as a standalone title, inviting both veterans and newcomers to explore the criminal underbelly of a beloved MMO universe. The blend of mission variety, group content, and emergent hero-versus-villain interactions makes for an experience that keeps you coming back for just one more heist—or one more bank vault to crack.

The community remains a major draw, with player-run events, in-character roleplay, and friendly rivalry fueling the game’s long-term appeal. Though the monthly subscription model may feel dated compared to today’s free-to-play norm, the steady stream of updates and dedicated server population justify the ongoing cost for many fans. Regular balance patches and power-set additions ensure that villain builds stay fresh and competitive.

With its distinctive art style, satisfying gameplay loops, and a storyline that celebrates the art of scheming, City of Villains offers a unique twist on the superhero genre. If you’ve ever wanted to cut loose from the moral high ground and see how far your criminal mastermind can rise, this MMO expansion delivers an entertaining, cooperative, and thematically rich playground where villainy truly pays.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10