Accessible to both Windows and Mac users

Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates is a themed world chock-full of puzzles and games. This virtual world is an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game) which means participants are encouraged to play "in character" rather than engaging in off topic chatter about real-world topics. While some might find this restrictive, the pirate theme offers a surprisingly robust array of activities and gives a unique focus to the world with a lot of room for ingenuity and creativity within the bounds of the pirate theme. One of the fun things about Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates is seeing how standard virtual world features are translated into the pirate-speak, for example "buddies" are called "hearties" and "inventory" is called "booty." Indeed, the folks at Three Rings seem to be able to turn anything and everything into a clever pirate metaphor.

In addition to several core games like team puzzle challenges (called "brawls") and parlor games like spades, the Puzzle Pirates world allows for a variety of member-created activities like scavenger hunts, paintball, and murder mysteries along with creative endeavors like poetry and song parody contests. A dynamic in-world economy allows players to buy, sell, or trade everything from cloth and grog to whole ships.

The site's screenshots offer a glimpse into the world's beautifully rendered 2.5D design. This may not agree with those who prefer more realistic 3D-style virtual worlds, but the charmingly executed visuals effectively convey the world's emphasis on a light-hearted, adventure-themed interpretation of pirates a la Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean, rather than the violent, unsavory reality of historical piracy.

While this world's animated visual style might give the impression that it's suitable for children, you actually have to be age 14 or older to enter. Other than the minimum age restriction, this world should appeal to a variety of ages and is one of those rare worlds that is amenable to both short-term casual play and long-term marathon sessions. For those willing to give themselves over to the way of the pirate, Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates offers an upbeat, creative, and fun virtual world experience.

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