Free Realms
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Game
Reviewed: Free Realms
Publisher: Sony
Online Entertainment
Developer: Sony Online Entertainment
Reviewer: James
Trevillian
Platform: PC
Category: MMORPG
ERSB Rating: E10+
Game
Description:
Free
Realms is a massively multiplayer online role playing game
(MMORPG) that was released on April 28th, 2009.
Although it was
released without much publicity, the game has earned publicity through
the
response it has received. Eighteen days after its release, Free Realms
hit the
million-user mark. After a month, the game boasted two million members
and as
of the time of writing this review Free Realms now has over five
million
players. So what is Free Realms, and why are so many kids logging on?
Free
Realms is a game designed specifically with kids and
families in mind. The colorful, cartoon-styled world of the game
reflects this,
as even gloomier areas of the game still feel whimsical. The game is
available
for free with no subscription costs. Most of the game is accessible to
people
playing for free, but there is a $4.99/month membership option
available. As a
member, players gain access to some jobs and areas of the game reserved
for
members. Members are also able to use some items that free players do
not have
access to. There is also “Station Cash,” which is a special in-game
currency
that is purchased with real money and spent in a Station Cash store in
the
game. Station Cash allows the player to purchase in-game clothing,
weapons, and
items that have special effects or that just look cool. Station Cash is
also
the only way to permanently own a cat or dog with one of your
characters.
The
emphasis in Free Realms is not so much on killing things
and fighting other people as in many other MMORPG’s, although there is
the
option to go on quests and fight monsters. The game has a wide variety
of
mini-games to play and quests to do. Each player has the ability to
take on
many “jobs” that can be categorized as combat jobs, crafting jobs, and
freestyle jobs. These jobs are leveled up as you play so that you can
unlock
new skills and use more advanced items. Combat jobs are for your
traditional
role-playing monster-fighting action. Players without a membership can
be a
Brawler or a Ninja. Members are also able to be a Warrior, Wizard,
Archer or
Medic. Combat takes place only when the player chooses to enter a
combat area
or accepts a duel from another player. The crafting jobs are for
collecting
materials and making items and weapons. Non-members can be a Chef or a
Miner,
while members also have access to the Blacksmith job. To collect
materials,
players must complete a matching mini-game that is essentially the same
for all
of the crafting professions. To craft items, a second mini-game is
played that
requires players to make certain movements with the mouse or to
accomplish
certain tasks in a limited time. Freestyle jobs are available to all
players
and include everything else the game has to offer. The Adventurer job
is for
those who simply want to explore the game world and collect items in
their
travels. The Postman job requires you to run around areas of the game
and
deliver mail. The Pet Trainer has to feed and care for a cat or dog
that is
able to perform tricks. The Card Duelist specializes in playing the
Free Realms
Trading Card game against the computer and against other players. The
Kart
Driver and Demolition Derby Driver compete in racing and smashing their
vehicles in the game’s racetracks. Aside from the jobs, the game also
offers
several quests and mini-games that can be played regardless of your
job.
In
keeping with the commitment to kids and families, the
game has a set of parental controls available on every Free Realms
account.
Currently, these controls include restrictions to the in-game chat and
the Free
Realms forums. A player can be restricted from using the in-game chat
window.
If this is activated, players can still use a set of built-in emotes
and
phrases to communicate very basic things. Players can also be
restricted from
viewing or posting on the game’s forums. Any player under the age of 13
is
automatically restricted with all of the above options. The developer
is
working on an option to restrict the amount of time a player is on the
game,
and an option to restrict the times of day a player can be online.
What Parents Need to
Know
Violence:
The combat jobs
listed above involve beating on monsters and other players with the
skills and
weapons available to your profession. Players wield swords, hammers,
arrows,
and magic. There is no blood, and any enemy who is defeated looks like
they are
knocked out and not really dead. When your player is defeated they are
simply
knocked out and can either jump back into the fray after a few seconds
or must
return to the main game world.
Language:
The game
itself has a smattering of some crude humor,
although it is not prolific. As with any online game, however, there
are no
guarantees that there will never be any offensive language coming from
other players.
The great news here is that the game has as many barriers to prevent
offensive
content as are reasonable. The chat filter did a marvelous job of
blocking
offensive content. I got the impression that most of the players simply
refrained from using anything that could be blocked anyway. The
parental
controls also allow a player to be restricted completely from in-game
chat.
Sexual
Content:
A few of
the outfits available to female players show
midriff.
Spiritual
Content:
Free Realms has the usual
dose of fantasy-based magic. The Wizard job is based on casting spells
that
shoot fire, ice and lightning. One of the Wizard’s abilities is called
“chaos,”
which affects your target’s mind to confuse them for several seconds.
The game
contains a usual lineup of magical items, such as potions and orbs that
have
various effects. Players can also equip shards and jewelry that have
various
effects. Some of the enemies you fight include ghosts and goblin-like
creatures.
Misc:
One of
the regions of the game is called Wuguchug, and is
represented by two mugs clanking together. Though the mugs look like
beer mugs,
they are filled with a bluish liquid that you discover is Sweetwater
Sarsaparilla (which is totally non-alcoholic).
Reviewers
Thoughts:
The
creators of Free Realms have done an excellent job in making
a kid-friendly alternative to other online games. As an older gamer, I
got
bored of the mini-games and very simple quests and combat areas. That
means
that the game has done a good job targeting kids in its simplicity. The
other
great thing about the simplicity of the game is that hopefully parents
will be
able to take a peek for themselves and see what their kids are playing.
There
is a good variety of things to keep you coming back to the game, even
if it is
simple. And the price is unbeatable. Since the game is based online,
keep in
mind that future updates may introduce new content that this review has
not
covered. In conclusion, if you do not find the above mentioned content
offensive then Free Realms is a great alternative for younger kids who
desire
to plan an online role-playing game.
