Perhaps a bit o' pirate fun, savvy?

On Saturday I downloaded a game called Puzzle Pirates, figuring that I'd open it up, see what it was all about, play it for a little while, then give up and go back to my normal life.

This game is FUN. And, I might add, a good cure for boredom. Are you listening, Scott? :)

It's an online game that is comprised of several smaller games. You are a pirate who interacts with other players in different situations. There are "jobs" that you can do in order to earn money, both on ships and on shore. Some jobs are actually puzzles or Tetris-like games that, once completed, earn you money. There is a set of "parlor" games as well, including Hearts, Spades, a board game, and something like Plinko on "The Price is Right".

There is also a whole game economic system that I haven't even begun to explore. It looks like you can open your own store on an island (with a significant investment), that not only sells items like clothing and swords, but provides opportunities for other players to earn their own money making your goods. There is a commodities market that you buy raw goods from. There are different items that many players can bid upon.

In all, this is a huge game, a huge online pirate world that one can easily lose themselves in.

The best part of this game is that, unlike so many other massive multiplayer games that are too dark and violent, Puzzle Pirates is much more family-friendly*, and doesn't leave you with a sick feeling after playing it.

I forgot to mention: The players all look like LEGO people.

*There is a "drinking game", but it's a board game, not really a see-who-can-hold-the-most-liquor game.