Browser Game Review: Adventure Quest

Adventure Quest.

This browser game is free with an additional charge for optional content. Most of the quests and classes remain intact for the free game, however the availability of powerful items and skills greatly improves with the "Guardian" registration, thankfully similar to a shareware game the registration is a one time fee.

This game is set in a fantasy realm with several sci-fi elements. The setting is quite refreshing in the fact that the game is laced with a light, campy humor that shines through most of the quests. The Non-Player Characters are memorable and fun.

Game play is typical of single player role playing games. The main character is a blank slate with a number of classes to train for as well as customizable attributes. The game is shown from a first person point of view that switches to a third person point of view during combat. Combat is a turn based system that allows you to cycle through your equipment without wasting any turns. Activating items requires skill points, a resource that refreshes quickly during combat while magic depletes your magic points which can only be refreshed outside of combat, or through the use of items and skills.

Adventure quest is very dynamic. Every few weeks new content is added to the game. You can count on a few permanent additions as well as temporary quests that give great rewards.

Pros. Very dynamic, Quests are frequently updated. The option to have a single battle allows you to get a quick game in without the time investment of doing quests. The ability to switch armors (Classes) to access new skills on the fly helps keep combat interesting.

Cons. Simple graphics with limited animations, there are no mini-games.

Bottom line: This game feels surprisingly deep for what could be described as a casual RPG. If you enjoy RPGs and you are looking for a change of pace from overly serious settings you should check out Adventure Quest. 4/5

How I drastically cut my video game budget (and still had fun)

I consider myself an avid gamer, however I am also interested in pinching pennies and saving some money. How can I enjoy what can be a very expensive hobby while saving some cash?

Let's start by going over my spending. I was once the type of gamer that would have to own all the latest & greatest games. I would impulse buy bargain bin games with alarming regularity, justifying the purchase due to the low cost. My wife and I began to notice that I would rarely finish games, sometimes it was legitimately because I lost interest in the game, other times it was simply because I was distracted by my latest and greatest game. This was my wake up call, I was buying games faster then I could finish them.

I have come up with a rules to live by when it comes to my video game spending.

Console Games

1) Do not buy a system when it launches. History has shown that many systems have issues that have not been resolved in testing, the high rate of failure among the first generation of XBox 360 systems is a fine example of this.

2) Consider buying a video game system when it has five or more games that you want to own, a video game system is a long term investment. If a system has many enjoyable games you will have greater opportunity to stretch your dollar by getting years of enjoyment from the system.

3) Trade games. When you are finished with a game that you will no longer play consider trading it with friends or trade it in for credit towards new games.

4) Think of the expense vs the entertainment value. When I buy a game I would like to get at least an hour of entertainment per dollar spent. If I buy a $50 game I want to feel like that I am going to get at least 50 hours of entertainment. If I suspect that a game is fun, but short with little to no replay value I won't buy it. If a game is long and engaging, or if it is short and has a high replay value it may be a great deal.

5) Have a library cap. I will own up to a specific number of games, once I have reached that cap I can only buy a game only if I trade another game in. This forces me to carefully analyze my purchases so I will not impulse buy any games.

6) Consider Renting. If there is a game that you expect to play only for a week or two, or if you want to try it before you buy it, spending a small amount on renting the game could be a good investment.

Computer Games

1) Play Free Games. If you own a computer and you have an Internet connection you can find a massive number of freeware and open source games.Freewaregames.net

2) Play "Mostly Free" Games. In addition to free games there are many games which are free to play but they have extras that you can pay for, often times the extra content is inexpensive and well worth the investment, the trick to this is simply making sure that you don't spend the small amounts frequently. Sample site
PuzzlePirates.com

3) Look for Dynamic Content. Many online games have frequent updates that add adventures and new features, this greatly boosts replay value. Sample Site Adventure Quest

4) Play Casual Games: Many of these games are inexpensive, have a high re-play value, and you can often try them before you buy them. Sample Site Big Fish Games

My final tip for all situations is to keep an eye out for great opportunities. Sample Site GetRichSlowly.org

The bottom line is this, a tight budget can still be fun as long as you are creative.

PC Game Review Puzzle Pirates

http://www.puzzlepirates.com/

Puzzle Pirates is a free down loadable massively multi player puzzle based video game. The piracy on the high seas concept is played to the hilt and even players are prone to using "piratey' language during game play.

As a player you controll a pirate with a customizable appearance. You will be given a modest home and some rags to wear. As you play the game you may take ship based jobs sailing, bilging, navigating, or more. Each job is a unique puzzle that earns a modest amount of currency called Pieces of Eight (PoE) this currency is combined with another called Dubloons that you can buy with real world cash or a slew of PoE. As the PoE & dubloons start to roll in your options begin to expand, buy some clothing, build a house, by a labor badge that unlocks land lubber puzzles.

Pros. Free! There are a very variety of puzzles to play. You can play solo by sailing with the navy or you can take up challenges with a crew. The rewards for earning currency are quite nice as badges unlock more games, and ships allow you to lead your own pillages

Cons. Puzzles can get interrupted by status reports. Simple but cute graphics may turn off hardcore gamers.

The Bottom Line: Do you like puzzle games? If so you'll be needing this game ya scurvy dog! 4/5

Welcome to the Proud Gamer blog

Hello and welcome to Proud Gamer.

I am an avid fan of role-playing games and video games. This blog will be dedicated to several aspects of gaming; video game and role playing game reviews, the business of gaming, the politics of gaming, and gaming on a budget.

I'm in my mid 30's and I have been a fan of video games and role playing games for as long as I can remember, starting with Atari 2600 and Dungeons & Dragons and the respectively.