The Kingdom of Loathing. A nifty web-based game that relies on humor and quirkiness, instead of graphics and music. This is nearly the exact opposite of todays games… where graphics are king, and gameplay takes second fiddle. Sad, really.

Graphics: Okay, take the graphics with a grain of salt. Stick figures and poorly hand-drawn monsters. You can tell that Assymmetric Publications doesn’t put a lot of time nor effort into it. Then again, that’s really part of Kingdom of Loathing’s (or KoL) charm. The goofy little monsters, and stick figure heroes. The main guy’s poorly drawn sword in one hand, and a martini in the other.

Gameplay: Well, it’s a web-based game. There are menus. Turn-based RPG combat, too. You click around the kingdom, selecting where you want to go… like the Seaside Town, the Gnomish Gnomad’s camp, or the Misspelled Cemetary (Yes, it’s supposed to be spelled that way). Depending on the area, you can be brought into a combat, another map to “explore”, or there can be an adventure with no combat. Combats themselves are simple. You encounter the foe (which often has a humorous name and description), click on if you want to attack, use an item, use a skill, or run, and go at it. Next round of combat, and so on. Really, it’s quite simple.

Ah yeah, I mentioned adventures up there, didn’t I? Adventures are your “turns”. Most actions take them. Going into an area that has combats or other such events will take an adventure. Exploring non-combat areas like most of the Seaside Town, though, will not. Buying from the Market and Mall won’t, either. Making booze and food will, though… unless you get some certain items. All in all you should have a certain # of adventures that starts you out for a day. Once you run out of adventures, your day is over and will have to wait until tomorrow.

Booze and food! Ah, the lifeblood of any adventurer. Now, you don’t have to eat or drink. Not at all. Doing so, though, gives you more adventures. Some booze is better than others, and some food is better. Some… do bad things, too… so be careful.

Combat. Back to combat. When you fight something, you lose an adventure. However, when you kill something, you gain Meat (the local currency), experience for one of your three statistics, and possibly items. The higher your statistics get, the stronger, more magical, and more moxious (ability to hit, not get hit, etc.) you shall become. Also, more quests open up the stronger you get.

Now, you can also interact with the other members of the Kingdom of Loathing… though not as much as in your standard online game. You can enter the chat (provided you pass the Alter of Literacy’s challenge), and speak to other members there. Also, you can send messages, items, or beneficial spells to other members. There’s also a clan system, where you can get bonuses and go through automated clan combats. While the interaction isn’t as rich as a standard online game, it’s simple, and effective. Theres also PvP or Player Vs Player. In your camp there should be a stone called the Magical Mystical Hippy Stone. Break the Stone to enable PvP.

Sound: Nonexistent. This is a web-based game, and a very simple one at that. It’s nothing to worry about, though. It’s not like you can’t turn on some music and listen while you play. As has been stressed, this is a simple game… so don’t expect a lot of bells and whistles (or any sounds, for that matter) from KoL. Just play, and enjoy.

Story: You are… an adventurer. A weak, wimpy little adventurer with nothing but your class specific weapon and other item. You’re pathetic! Anyhow, apparently, the Naughty Sorceress, who is the bad-girl supreme in the lands, has kidnapped the wise and noble King Ralph XI. She’s taken him into her tower, and imprisoned him in some sort of crystal, no less! What lack of respect!

Anyhow, the Council of Loathing, which is led by presumably the wise minds of the Seaside town, wish you to help them out. Sending you on many quests and missions, it all comes to a climax when you come face to face with the Naughty Sorceress herself. There, you fight for the fate of the Kingdom. Sally forth, adventurer.

Fun Factor: Incredible. I have had a great time with this game.(note the past tense for I no longer play it) It’s updated very often, and there are so many quests and different places to explore. Play differently, depending on your class. Do as many sidequests as you want, or none at all. Take your time and enjoy the game, or try and blow through it as fast as possible. You can play it your way. It’s fun, funny, and all around enjoyable.

I’ve rambled on through this a lot longer than I thought I would… but I hope I’ve conveyed that the Kingdom of Loathing is an entertaining, funny game. it’s not as complex as it may seem, and it’s very deep at the same time. Extremely satisfying, without a doubt. Enough reading!  Go complete some quests, join a clan, and get your butt kicked by a Ninja Snowman.

Rating 16/20

[ Graphics | 3 ]
[ Gameplay | 4 ]
[ Through | 4 ]
[ Fun Factor | 5 ]

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Second Opinion – By Codanon

Ahh, Kingdom of Loathing.  This game is quite a gem.  I’ve been playing for several months and still enjoy it after all this time.  This is not a game for everyone.  While it’s seeminly a simple and entertaining game, it is quite clever.  It can be sometimes subtle and quirky, but a good sense of humour and sarcasm will leave you quite satisfied.  While the quests you have to complete aren’t always as easy or obvious, there are plenty of walkthroughs which can help you if you get stuck.  Definitely a must try!