The Kingdom of Loathing is a browser-based RPG from Asymmetric Publications.
This type of game has no system or graphics requirements and has no subscription fees. The characters, enemies and locations are all hand-drawn stick figures and the storytelling’s humor borders on the ridiculous. All those elements combine to make a very fun and addictive gaming experience.
Players choose from six character classes each centering around one of three main stats, and each has a different set of skills to use. In the Kingdom of Loathing, or KoL, as it has come to be known by its player base, Muscle, Mysticality and Moxie replace the more traditional Strength, Intelligence and Agility seen in nearly all RPGs. Right there you get an idea of this game’s sense of humor.
After creating a character players are given a brief tutorial on game mechanics and combat. This takes the form of a quest taking place on Mount Noob where you meet the Toot-Oriole…yes the Toot-Oriole. This also explains the turns system which are called adventures. Nearly every action you take uses one adventure and when your adventures run out, you’re done for the day (adventures are replenished each night at 10:30pm EST). Eating food or drinking cocktails can restore a few adventures per day as well.
There are two basic types of adventure: combat and non-combat. Fighting the Kingdom’s myriad foes earns both Meat (KoL money) and treasure. The enemies are cleverly silly and range from the Sabre-toothed Lime to Ninja Snowmen.
There are a multitude of things to collect in the game from weapons and armor and familiar creatures that aid you in combat to ultra rare items that increase stats or in-game rankings. Other inventory options include combining items, smithing new weapons, cooking new more powerful foods and mixing more potent cocktails.
The multiple areas to adventure in are as wry as the rest of the game as the tongue-in-cheek humor permeates the entire game. There are the Nearby Plains which includes areas like Degrassi Knoll and the Misspelled Cemetary; The Distant Woods with it’s White Citadel (a White Castle rip) and Crackpot Mystic’s Shed, and many others to explore as well as a large town where players can buy and sell items, find new quests, and generally cause trouble.
One of the best aspects of the game is the community of players to interact with. Upon reaching level 3 players can join a clan that offers many bonuses to their game: more turns, free Meat from the Meat tree, etc. The game also has a built-in chat pane for talking to other players and clan members.
In summary, the depth of the character classes, simple interface, open-ended gameplay and crazy popular culture references make this is an excellent game that anyone with a twisted sense-of-humor will enjoy.
I definitely recommend this one to all gamers.
The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You!
Gamer Hero Score: 9/10
Hile, Kol Ka-Tet!