**Author Note**
The following game review was done on a Dell Inspiron-1720, wide-screen, system with the following basic system information:

Dual Intel 1.60 gHz
4GB RAM
Windows Vista 32-Bit
GeForce 8600M GT at 256 Dedicated
DirectX 10.

Screenshots are actual gameplay captures.  Screen shots are property of the author.  Contents within are property of Sony Online Entertainment.

The review reflects only the authors experience and may not reflect the opinions of others.

Free Realms!

After much anticipation and waiting, Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) released their web based Virtual World RPG, "Free Realms", on Tuesday.  During the leadup to Free Realms release, little buzz was generated on the surface of this upcoming game, but behind the scenes, many were talking and many were itching to get into the worlds.  So far, Free Realms hasn't had much disappointment.

Geared and designed for the much younger audience, Free Realms isn't exactly what one might call an MMORPG.  In fact, calling it such might be somewhat insulting.  To be completely honest I'm not sure what genere label you could stamp on Free Realms, unless you create a new genre called "A mix of Everything".

The "MMO" portion remains true.  A mostly persistant world has players running and bumping into each other, communicating, and interacting in many different ways.  There are also some mild "RPG" elements in regards to levelling your jobs and outfitting your character in different equipment to boost stats.  However, World of Warcraft, or Lord of the Rings this is not.

In this review article we will discuss just what you'll expect to see, experience, and discover in Free Realms.

Registration and Downloads.

Free Realms, at its very first glance, is simplistic in its design for, what I'm sure, are a few obvious reasons.  First; Because Free Realms is aimed to a younger audience, ease of access seems appropiate and it is just that.  Easy.  Registration takes only a few moments and you're set to begin your downloads.

It's important to note that the downloads are very simple.  It requires a single activeX install and the game itself will download right within the browser.  That download is also minimal and will allow you to check out other sections of the web site while you wait.

As you'll notice, Free Realms is a standard Free to Play (F2P) game with the optional Cash Shop (Station Cash).  The free level membership offers plenty of content for you to involve yourself in.  So if you're worried you'll be missing out on too much if you don't open your wallet...well...don't worry.  However, purchasing Station Cash does open up Membership only quests, some content, and options. 

To be more specific, here is what you can get for $4.99 a month with a membership status:

• Access to 5 additional jobs such as the Wizard and Archer.
• Get Ranked on Leaderboards.
• Play up to 3 Characters (as opposed to only one on the free membership)
• 400 Extra Quests and items.

So far it's worth noting the following.  First - The price is afforable (Thank you, SOE) and does provide the content worth the purchase.  However, and this is the Second - There have been some bugs in upgrading.  This is most likely due to mild new release hiccups that most games go through.  While many haven't had problems, it wouldn't hurt to give the game an added week before you decided to upgrade.  Don't worry again.  You'll have lots to do on the freebie membership.  Remember?

Once your game is downloaded and ready to play, you'll begin by creating your virtual self.  Starting options are somewhat limited, which is unfortunate, but there's enough variety at least to make yourself rather unique.  The naming process provides you with an automated slot reel that allows you to pair together last names to your first, providing plenty of options for you to explore.  Or, if you have a name in mind already, just type that in! Just note the following: Once you create your name, you'll be asked to create a second "Temporary Name" while your original clears SOE's naming policy.  The wait is short and typically not longer than 24 hours.

The Gameplay

I don't think this can be stressed enough to readers.  Free Realms is not, in any way, designed for the hardcore, mature, RPG gamer. If you're looking for slaughter, PvP ganking, skills and armor, you're in for a shock and you're an idiot for expecting all of that.  Therefore, don't act shocked when your first moments in the tutorial world you hear the young woman talk to you as though she's a grade 4 teacher. 

The tutorial zone you start in gives the basic functions of Free Realms.  WSAD keys for moment, space for jumping, and how to begin quests.  It will also introduce the player to their first two jobs; Chef and Brawler.  As you progress into the normal world you'll have more access to these jobs plus others including the following:

• Ninja
• Kart Driver (My personal Favorite)
• Post Man
• Demolition Derby Driver (My other personal Favorite)
• Pet Trader
• Card Dualist
• Miner

So what do these jobs entale?  Here's just a few examples.  Kart Driver allows you to do exactly what you're thinking.  You drive a race cart around some wicked tracks against AI, or Human opposition.  Simple movement controls that, much to my surprise, react very well with keyboard controls, and powerups along the way in a Mario-Kart style. It is fast past, high flying action, and is truly a fun experience.

The Demolition Derby is even more fun.  Again, it's exactly what you're thinking.  Strap yourself into your Kart and prepare to hit, slam, ram, and wreck your opponents in an often brutal metal twisting match against AI, or human players.  I tell you now, it's a blast.

Being a card dualist will give those Pokemon card players something to swoon over.  Dual AI, or other players in card matches to win cards, lose them, and advance to build your decks with more powerful cards to play.  Easy to learn and hours of enjoyment for you card happy folk.

Being a Chef will have you playing mini games similar to the popular web game "BeJeweled" to harvast ingredients.  Cooking those ingredients involves mouse-play games, such as pounding your left-click to chop, stirring motions to stir, and click-drag to place your food in pans.

There are plenty of quests available for all your jobs and the ones you choose to focus on are up to you.  The higher you go the more rewards you get in regards to clothing, equipment, and coins.

So how do you summarize what Free Realms is now?  It's simple.  Think of it as a standard virtual world, mixed with Puzzle Pirates, Mario-Kart, mini game madness, and Magic the Gathering.

Game Aspects:  Graphics

It is clear - Free Realms does look and feel, in many ways, like World of Warcraft, but it is fitting given the target audience.  The colors in the game are vibrant, the environments are cartoonesque, and the models are certainly out of proportion to reality.  Yet, to repeat, it fits the game perfect and overall they are very, very, well done.  Anyone who appreciates multiple styles of art work, even if it's not their preference, should at least be impressed with the overall artwork.

On my system, which is beginning to show its age, I had some minor lag issues in areas where a lot of players were located in a single place.  Overall though, my system (which you can use to compare to yours) handles the graphics and frame rates very well.  Much older systems may experience more troubles, so before investing money into Free Realms, be sure you can experience the game without having hardware slowing you down.  Newer systems shouldn't have any issues with the game visuals.

Graphics also include how the interface is designed for the user.  In Free Realms it's not much different than any other online MMO-style game.  You have your chat box in the bottom left, radar/atlas in the upper right, quest trackers on the right, and your overall menu at the very bottom.

It can take some getting used to the bottom menu in regards to remember where everything can be found.  However, you will get used to it if you play around for awhile.  Hey, even in a kids game, we adults have learning curves.

Game Aspects: Controls

Controls in the game are very simple.  If you're a WSAD user, you'll be fine.  If you're a keymapper, you're in trouble as there are no key mapping options.  Space is your standard jump, and your mouse controls camera movements.  Depending on what job you're involved in and the game surrounding that job, most things don't change.  Brawling still involves WSAD movements and your number keys assign your skills (which are, by the way, 1-hit 2-special move) which you just mash to cause damage.  If you're cooking up a storm, your mouse acts as your guide and it doesn't get any more simplistic as that.

I will admit; Going into Free Realms I was expecting some clunky movements.  I wasn't expecting to be overly impressed.  There could be no way a kids game could have more stable controls.  Well guess what?  They Do!  I am amazed that the animations are so smooth and responsive to the controls and especially, when it comes to the derby racing, how smooth it can be.  Other game developers could learn a few lessons from Free Realms.

Game Aspects: Music

I'm a bit biased on this probably due to age.  Again, Free Realms is geared to the younger audience and therefore the music represents that.  While the music does fit into the environments and games involved, well..being 30, it doesn't do me any justice.  However, for a moment, I'll be objective.

The music isn't anything outstanding.  Don't expect Jeremey Soule soundtracks here.  But it's also worth saying that you're not going to expect 1990 Midi-Quality tunes either.  For what the game is, the music does its job and is average for what it is. I think you'll find though, no matter what age you may be, your Ipod will serve you better.

Overall Thoughts and Final Notes

Have I mentioned Free Realms is more for the younger audience that your average standard MMO player?  I have?  Well, I said it again.  Yet, for what it's designed to be, I find myself continuing to play.  I can't help myself and I'm not sure why.  Perhaps it's the world I can't help but explore, or the mini games I can't get enough of, or the total car wrecking destruction I can do in the Derby.  Maybe it's the freedom?  I don't know.  What I do know is this - Free Realms, for what it's desgned to be and targeted to be, is GREAT.

For you parents out there, who have been looking for a game for your younger ones, it's worth looking into Free Realms for them.  For starters, it's simple to learn and provides plenty of enjoyment.  The community is very friendly, very safe, and heavily enforced by SOE to enure a safe environment.   That means those people who are simply out to cause trouble will find themselves out of Free Realms really quick.  Furthermore, SOE's added Parental controls and limitations for users under 13. 

Strange enough, Free Realms also seems to be some casual entertainment for the grown ups as well, providing an easy going atmosphere away from the slaughter of Orcs and Demons and almost returning us to our early roots of gaming that included Paper Boy, Double Dragon, and Mario Kart.

The bottom line is this.  Free Realms is a breath of fresh air in an online gaming world where things have been feeling stale lately.  No, this isn't anything action packed, or really anything innovative and never done before.  However, Free Realms seems to have brought a lot of simplicity from multiple sources into one, single, online game experience that can be enjoyed for all ages.

So if you're always on the look out to try something new, or just need to get away from Heavy Armor, Mounts, dungeons, fireballs, and grind, I'll highly recommend giving Free Realms a go.  I'm sure you'll have a good time as I have.