Champions Online - Preview @ MMORPG

MMORPG played Champions Online and have a hands-on preview up.

Once you select your instance, you'll enter the game world and be treated to an in-engine intro that depicts the carnage and destruction taking place in Millenium City as the camera weaves through the buildings and eventually centers on your character. Millenium City is being attacked by the alien Qularr (Rikti anyone?) and is in desperate need of a hero. With the Champions being the first targets in the Qularr assault, they are nowhere to be found, so the responsibility lays on you to save the day.

The tutorial consists of some pretty basic quests that will aid in acclimating you to the various game mechanics, including combat and blocking, open missions, instances, object interaction, etc. Once you've completed the tutorial, you'll have a choice between two starting zones: The Desert or the Canadian Wilderness. Whatever your choice, you'll be stuck there until around level eight or so. Once you arrive at your destination of choice, you'll be around level five and you'll be introduced to an area of the game you are sure to spend a lot of time in: the Power House.