Having played this game now for well over a year now, I have enjoyed many things about being in Paragon City or the Rogue Isles. First off, the character creation system is wonderful. The only time you really see two characters look alike is if either they are in a Super or Villain Group or the players did it purposely.

A Taste Of Character Creation


Once you create your costume you are not stuck with your look forever. At anytime if you have the Influence or Infamy to spend(the game's currency depending on which side one is on) you can visit a tailor. At levels 20, 30, 40 you can do a mission to open up additional costume slots so you can have various looks. Also the fifth and slot can be gained by using Halloween Salvage items and turning them in to the appropriate NPC.

The archetypes of the game on both sides are:
Hero Side
Scrapper (Melee DPS)
Tanker (Melee Meatshields)
Blaster(Ranged DPS)
Defenders (Healers, Buffers and Debuffers with a small bit of Ranged DPS underneath Blasters)
Controllers (Crowd Control and various buffs and debuffs)
Epic Archetypes - Warshade and Peacebringers, each Unlocked at level 50 hero side and are jacks-of-all-trades. Also called Kheldians due to the fact they are aliens inside of a host body.

Villain Side
Stalkers (Assassin type of DPS Melee, performs best when hidden)
Brutes (Melee DPS with Meatshield capabilities)
Masterminds (A Pet Class that can get up to 6 pets at one time around level 32. Also have some secondary powers for aiding their pets and/or team)
Corruptor (Ranged DPS with Healer capabilities as a secondary.)
Dominators (Crowd Control based primary powers with DPS based secondaries)
Epic Archetypes - Arachnos Soldiers and Arachnos Widows. Again, Unlocked at level 50 but villain side.

One of the features that this writer enjoys is the fact that no matter what level you are, you can always team with your friends. The way that it works is that say Player A is level 8 and Player B is 47, the level 47 player can invite the newbie character to be their sidekick or lackey, depending on which side they are on. That makes the newbie while in that state a level beneath their mentor. Or if a newbie needs help completing a mission, their powerfrul friend or ally can exemplar down to the newbie's level.

With Super Groups or Villains the leadership can build a base and decorate it. Again this adds for more creative play. Though to get the best items for the base the members of the group must enter what is called Super Group Mode which makes the player generate Prestige which is basically Super Group currency though the player will still get good experience and funds for themselves.

The game also has various challenges for heroes and villains alike called Task Forces or Strike Forces which each have a level requirement and if you are above the level limit for the task force/strike force you will be put at the max level allowed for it while on it. Each task force awards Badges, Enhancements, Salvage for Invention Enhancements or base items not to mention great experience and prestige if in a Super Group or Villain group. Some even unlock more costume pieces to add to the hundred of pieces you have to select from.

Another feature I like is how no one needs to worry about buying new armor or weapons unlike most MMORPG's out there. The only "items" in the game are Inspirations(provide various bonuses to luck, defense, damage, heals, break from being stunned, etc.) and Enhancements which increase your power's potency.

Combat is also different from alot of games. There is no running up to a mob and hitting autoattack. You have to make each attack with your powers.

An example of gameplay in a mission (Not my character, fraps hates my computer.)
 

There is PVP in the game but it is not mindless. It happens in warzones or arenas so no worrying about being in a area that isn't a warzone and getting ganked randomly. The developers do alot to try to keep the game balanced for both PVP and PVE alike.

One thing that players love is that the developers talk to us often and even come into the game alot on signature heroes or villains of the game. They actually help people and take care of troublemakers. Every beta for a new Issue(issues are basically expansion/updates) is open to it's players and can bring your live game characters to the test server and there is always more content coming out to make this game better and more fun for new and old players of the game alike. Also, every expansion is free.

Another thing players get addicted to in the game is the process of getting Badges. These are gained while exploring an area, defeatling a number of enemies, collecting badges to gain Accolade power badges, accomplishing task forces or strike forces, attending special events and other various methods.

Over all, City of Heroes and Villains is a great game with alot of content to it. Yes it is pay to play but with how often the game gets new content it is very much worth the price. Also, NCSoft now calls both games a single now. So when you buy one you get both of them now! So, just try out the game for yourself and see what I mean. You won't be disappointed!