I have a new addiction. It's more of an old addiction in a new environment - that matters. You see, I've spent far too many nights of late playing Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates. It's an MMO-doesn't-have-a-acronym. It's an RPG, you definitely play a pirate; you have sailing and battles and commodities trading and drinking! But, you perform all of your actions through puzzles. Yes, puzzles.
It would be very easy to dismiss this game as a shallow means of playing puzzles. But then, you'd be missing the whole game. The puzzles are simply a means to an end. Let me give you an example…
You've taken a job aboard a pirate ship (Naval vessels are an option but they don't have sword fights!) The ship has several duty stations - bilge pumping, carpentry, sailing, navigation, and gunnery. Each station has a puzzle associated with it - matching squares in a group of three or more, Tetris-like filling of holes, etc. - and accomplishing them will make the ship "go". What this means is, if you don't sail well, the ship moves slowly across the oceans. If you aren't a good carpenter or bilger you may end up with a ship underwater. A bad navigator can get you lost at sea. And all of this is determined by your skill at completing the puzzles. Poor carpenters make it hard for the bilgers to keep the ship dry. Poor sailors make it difficult for the captain to make maneuvers. And poor gunners not only assure you have holes blown in your ship (making the carpenters and bilgers just thrilled) but also that you may be boarded and a sword fight will break out!
Sword fighting too, is based upon a puzzle. In this case, you can team up against your opponents - 4 on 1. But your sword will make a difference in your ability to complete the puzzle. Meaning…you get to buy and design swords.
This is where the true depth of Puzzle Pirates is often overlooked. You earn "pieces of eight" (PoE) as your currency for your work aboard ships (and crafting). This can be spent on upgrading your weaponry and clothing - both of which deteriorate over time -as well as buying a ship and building a crew or buying and selling commodities for trade. Beyond the ability to sail and trade there is also the ability to own a shop where you create your wares and hire other sailors to help. Another means of earning PoE! And, thankfully, you need not be at your workstation 24 hours a day - simply visit it occasionally and you will earn your keep - if there are orders to be had.
You find ships to "job" on the local bulletin board. Every island has one - even the uninhabited ones. You can view crew standing and reputation before applying for a job. Then, once you've chosen, a carrier pigeon is sent off with your application. If accepted, you could be part of the Navy - or a profiteer! You can view blockaded islands here as well if you're "looking" for a fight. Having paid my Doubloons, I have spied the trade jobs available on each island. I'll speak about those in my next review (after having done them!)
All of your PoE are stored in banks wherever your ship lands. You can get off the ship, withdraw them, transfer funds from other banks (at a charge) and go shopping. However, beware of getting off on small islands. My first night I disembarked on an uninhabited island and had to bury my treasure - I've not been able to get back to that island since.
You gain rank in your skills and renowned in both your archipelago and the ocean. You can choose to sign on to a crew and have the ability to see their standing before doing so. The community is always bustling. I've yet to log in and not have more jobs - both sailing and working - than I could choose from. The community is also one of the most polite and involved I've ever experienced. Everyone role-plays - it's ye, not you; Cap'n not Captain and Yarr!
Did I mention Carousing? Until only a few days ago you could enter any Inn and challenge the patrons to a sword fight or a round of drinking. There's nothing more embarrassing than losing by passing out drunk! It's a good place to practice those sword skills you'll need when jobbing aboard a pirate ship. But…as I was tossing back a few with the locals we received a notification - a patch! 15 minutes after the servers went down they came back and now the game of Spades is available. I haven't slept since.
This is only my first review of YIPP. To date I've only played the free content and should I have had a paying account from the beginning, my skills would still be nowhere near good enough to get a job or buy a ship! I'm going to spend the next month working on them, buying a ship or a market stall and get involved in the commodities system. Perhaps I'll make rum….or hoard sailing charts….or sign onto the Navy. I do know I'll pass out a few times at the local Inn while playing cards.
I'm a mother of two boys, ages 7 and 10 and live in the chaos that ensues. I've a permanent disability that keeps me homebound, so books, kids, games and books are my constant companions. Oh, and books, too. *grins*
My children both play games so I often play them first, getting to know exactly how something may effect my sensitive and easily stimulated older child vs. my stoic and imperturbable younger.
I like games for games; for the pure enjoyment of them and believe that no game is wholly bad, though some are real stinkers.
I also have the dexterity of a camel in mittens so find playing FPSs difficult (and I also don't like the gore) and RTSs at times can stump me. I just can't seem to move quickly enough to keep up with them. Some of my favorite games are arcade games and I'll spend 3-5 years on the same 5-6 levels because I just never get any better. But, I have fun.
