As a videogame addict, I find the current skyrocketing prices of both games and consoles upsetting, as I’m sure many of you do as well. I simply have no money to spend on these new games! Again, I’m sure that this is a situation that many of you have experienced as well. Well, I have some advice for you: GET A JOB!
Actually, that’s not my advice, but I’m sure you’ve heard it many times when lamenting your lack of money for videogame and other purchases. However, there is hope, even for us poor slackers and those of us who aren’t slackers but still remain poor. That hope comes in the form of: Online Gaming!
There are hordes of sites where you can play games for free. Sure, they may not have the amazing graphics that most games out now have, but they’re at least good for a distraction now and then. Also, they usually hearken back to the old school days when videogames were actually hard—and even if they don’t have amazing stories or soundtracks, they are still addicting. They are also free! What more could you ask for? Well, actually a lot, but online games will take the edge off that insatiable urge for gaming without the high price tag attached.
I want to talk about a group called Artix Entertainment, which currently has two online RPGs released. Their main game is called AdventureQuest and can be found at battleon.com. This one has been out far longer than the other game, DragonFable, which is actually a prequel to AdventureQuest.
Anyway, AdventureQuest has actually developed a storyline of some type. I warn you: The story is not the most original, but it is engaging enough, though just barely, that you want to find out what happens next. The story is divided into chapters that you can unlock at certain levels. This leads to massive farming to gain enough experience to get to the next chapter, which is frequently irritating to one who is used to RPGs that let you progress freely. Seriously, I’ve wanted to stop playing at some points because of the repetitiveness of fighting random creatures for hours on end. The attack sequences take forever to get through and the only sound in the game comes when you hit the enemy or are hit by the enemy.
There’s one more major flaw with AdventureQuest, which is, even though you can play it for free, it is actually not designed to be a free game. Depending on the number of people currently playing the game, you may not be able to access it because of the limited number of slots given to free players. Also, free players are not given access to many features of the game, which also limits the enjoyment one can garner from playing AdventureQuest. However, the fee is only a one-time payment, so if you are truly that addicted to finding every secret in the game, go ahead and pay. As for me, I think I just talked myself out of playing the game from now on….
Now I want to talk a little about DragonFable, which, in my opinion, is far superior to AdventureQuest, despite not having a discernible storyline as of yet. The graphics are superior to those found in the other game. In addition, one can associate more freely with the main character, about whom is given far more information than in AdventureQuest. The standard enemies are more easily defeated, which gives the advantage of easing the boredom factor of the massive farming, which is currently the main part of the game.
The biggest advantage it has over AdventureQuest, however, is the ability to log in freely without paying for the upgrade, which also unlocks numerous areas and weapons in this game. I highly suggest playing DragonFable. It looks to have a lot of potential—moreso than AdventureQuest, at least.
Well, I hope these games help satisfy your urge to play videogames until you can afford something better. If not, I’ll try to be back next month with some more free online games for you to play, assuming Paul allows it….
