In a previous posting, I was a bit harsh to Free Realms. All this sugarcoating, it had me close to vomiting.
Since then, I’ve read a few more hands-on reports, a few more first looks and pages upon pages of forum comments all over the web. It seems that yes, grown-ups are playing it. No, it doesn’t cater to the hardcore MMO crowd. And yes, that’s intentional.
I only just wrote about how I barely have time to play MMOs in the first place, so I was shocked to discover that Free Realms might actually be targetting people like me as well. Even if it doesn’t want to. So I decided to try again, and I’m slowly seeing how someone could enjoy themselves in the game. I’m not saying I like it, mind. So don’t quote me.
The biggest issues I had with the game were superficial so far, and are quickly remedied. I didn’t like the inane music and the horribly overacting voice actors. The solution? Switch off the game sounds, put on some black metal and imagine that every single overdrawn pixie you meet turns into something grotesque at night and hangs around at BDSM clubs.
That way, the whole game suddenly became bearable to me.
Also, I think my character’s groovy old-school pimp credibility will make sure he’ll be down with dem ho’s. Observe:
