An underrated oldie, Puzzle Pirates!

This is a game that has had a huge impact on my life, my relations and experiences. While a lot of gamers avoid this game due to it's childish look, it is actually one of the most well developed games I've ever encountered. The game is called Puzzle Pirates!

Found at http://www.puzzlepirates.com/

Puzzle Pirates is a free Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG), where all your actions impact other players' gaming experience. The main object of the game is to sail the seven seas in player owned ships. The captain of the ship hires other players onto his ship and together they pillage brigands and barbarians (bots). In order for the pillage to be successful, each player on the ship needs to take on a role. One repairs the ship, another catches the wind with the sails and a third reloads the cannons. Each role has its own puzzle that needs to be solved successfully, for example a unique version of tetris, a type of jigsaw puzzle and more. It is also possible to hunt ghost ships, atlanteans and more, which rewards the participants with unique loot that can either be used or be taken home.

The most interesting and unique aspect of the game in my opinion is the fact that almost everything is player controlled. The islands, where players can buy houses and purchase items, are controlled by other players that have conquered these islands. The shoppes are owned by other players that earn a profit from selling items and the raw materials needed to create the items are bought either from other players or bidded on at markets with other shopowners as competitors.

Unfortunately this is a game that has lost most of it's players in the past few years, which I think is a shame, because it is a game that has a lot to offer. Whether you just want to relax and chat with other people of very different nations over a game of cards or want to make a name for yourself as a notorious captain, a merchant with ties to every part of the ocean or even a king with an island or two within your grasp.

The game contains a lot more material than what I've mentioned here, so if you're interested in giving the game a chance, you can either download an application to your desktop or just play the game from your browser at www.puzzlepirates.com