(Rated E 10+. Free for basic; $9.95 per month for unlimited access. ) A Disney
Online presentation of a game developed by Disney Online Studios for the PC.
Tremendously accessible in its design
but virtually unplayable due to major technical problems, Disney's
"Pirates of the Caribbean Online" lures even the most casual of
players and then stabs them with a cutlass. Given that it's based on a huge
movie franchise and is free to start playing, the Mouse House shouldn't have trouble
convincing players to try the game out. Once they've set sail, however,
frequent lag issues and clunky combat sequences will leave would-be Jack
Sparrows feeling like they've drunk one too many rounds of rum in this subpar
addition to the "Pirates" canon.
Many massively multiplayer online games based on megamovie franchises, such
as "The Matrix Online" and "Star Wars Galaxies," have had
trouble competing against industry behemoth "World of Warcraft." At
first glance, Disney seems to be sidestepping that problem by going after a
much more casual audience just a bit older than those who play its successful
"Toontown Online."
With overt hand-holding in the first few stages, "Pirates Online"
sets out not to intimidate. (Those who have trouble coming up with a good
pirate name will appreciate the game's numerous suggestions for appropriate
appellations like "Davy Squidrat" or "Jeremiah Pugmorgan.")
Onscreen interface is simple and easy to manage. Though the graphics are far
from hi-def, it appears at first that lack of detailed art is the tradeoff for
a game designed to work on even a cheap PC.
But even those with a relatively new PC and a high-speed Internet connection
will experience frequent lags that freeze the game up for five or 10 seconds
every few minutes. It causes jumpy movement, buildings and characters to
disappear and re-appear, and lines of dialogue to repeat or be skipped over.
Online games can be updated, of course, and it's possible that Disney will fix
these technical problems. But for now, they're so severe that they pretty much
ruin the experience.
Combat sequences are particularly infuriating, whether against the computer
or another player. Even when running smoothly, they too often come down to who
can click the mouse faster. Throw in the game's regular freeze-ups and the
experience becomes clicking a mouse while watching an indiscernible morass of
swords swinging and cannons firing.
Game consists primarily of quests on which players are sent by main
characters from the film, like Sparrow, Barbossa, Will Turner, and Elizabeth
Swann, all of whom are convincingly voiced by celebrity sound-alikes. Most
quests are relatively simple, such as sinking a Navy ship on the high seas or
smuggling rum to Port Royal. Experienced vidgamers won't find themselves too
challenged. As with all such games, accomplished tasks lead to higher skill
levels, more weapons and bigger ships. Those looking to relax in "Pirates
Online" will also find several enjoyable parlor games like blackjack and
poker.
While in the "Pirates" universe, the thousands of people playing
together can talk, fight or set sail together, unlike "Warcraft,"
most of the quests don't necessitate teamwork, though it can be helpful. Result
is that while it's possible to form "guilds," they're not integral in
most parts of the game and the overall experience is significantly less social
than other genre competitors. It's easy to play "Pirates Online" for
hours without ever talking to anybody else, which might make some players
wonder why "Pirates" needed to be "Online" at all.
When they're not winking in and out, graphics are varied between different
islands and characters, if not very detailed. Background music and sound
effects are of the highest quality, from the cannons blasting at the Navy ships
to Tortuga's tavern doors creaking open. Score, some of which is borrowed from
the movies, is appropriately thrilling, if somewhat repetitive.
Free version of the game is surrounded by two banner ads and limits the
player's quests, equipment and skill level. Ads aren't too obtrusive, however,
and even with all of the game's problems, it's a decent value, considering it's
free. Despite the added benefits, those looking for an experience worth the
$10-per-month subscription fee for unlimited access will feel like they paid to
walk the plank.
Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/story.asp?l=story&r=VE1117935586&c=1023