Battle On

[Sethran]

So... Internet Flash Games.

With this being the peak of our age of technology, video games have evolved even further to being more than something that you have to free up some old space on your computer or PS2 memory card to enjoy. Something as simple as a web-browser based flash game, marketed as a 'lunch break RPG', has stirred up a craze that has generated thousands upon thousands of fanboyish delight ranging from little kids who just want to have fun to adults who are just starting to realize the attraction of escapist gaming.

I am, of course, speaking of Artix Entertainment's AdventureQuest, and it's offspring DragonFable, MechQuest, and the soon-to-be in beta AdventureQuest Worlds. In just a few short years Artix and company have evolved from a pet project to the pioneer in flash-based industry, going even so far as to create an MMORPG entirely contained within Flash and a web browser, while still remaining so fast and easy to play that it can be marketed as a lunch break RPG.

In my ever continuing quest for knowledge, I've discovered that I want to know the opinions of those here within The Escapist Magazine's forums.

What do you think?

Do you actively play Artix Entertainment games? Do you look forward with baited breath similar to WoW players for each and every update and new innovation?

Do you have a lvl 100 Werepyre on AQ?

The Doom Weapons on DragonFable?

Are you a Star Captain with the most pimped out starship in existance?

Feel free to share, discuss, and theorize about Artix Entertainment and Flash-based gaming, and while doing so reflect on the following question --

Is Flash-based gaming the future of casual games?

For those who do not know what I'm talking about, simply use Google to look up Artix Entertainment, AdventureQuest, DragonFable, MechQuest, and/or AdventureQuest Worlds.

 

[Duck Sandwich]

I've played Adventure Quest and Mech Quest before, but got bored before long. It's not just because I dislike RPG's in general. The games have no real strategy. It's just 1 on 1 combat with very few options. Combat generally goes like this.

Use strongest attack
Use strongest attack
Use slightly weaker attack because you don't have enough energy to use the strongest attack
Use normal attack because you don't have enough energy for anything now.
Heal when necessary.

 

[Silver]

While the games are quite fun, the dialogue hilarious, and the stories great, the gameplay is somewhat lacking. By somewhat lacking, I mean I'd rather go play an MMORPG, and that's NOT a good thing (unless that MMORPG is Dofus, in which case it is made of total pawn and win purely because of the graphics). It's so incredibly repetitive, and if you don't pay lots of money after you get to a pretty high level all enemies will beat you, every time. I've still enjoyed Adventureqest and dragonfable for a lot of hours, but it's not because of the gameplay in most cases. One in maybe a hundred battles are fun to play.

 

[Xhumed]

Ive played Adventure Quest, Dragon Fable and Mech Quest. They are fun and diverting enough for a while, but it does get pretty repetitive quickly. Adventure Quest slightly less so due to the large range of spells and weapons and various classes available, but it still lacks...something... to keep me playing for long.

 

[Ultrajoe]

i've played them all briefly, but to me its a matter of:

"Start battle"
"See how this monster rolls"
"Do a quick in-head calculation"
"Flee or click the same button over and over"

It was fun and funny for about a week, i commend and salute those with the ball-fibre to endure it for longer.

 

[HSIAMetalKing]

I played Adventure Quest for a bit, until it became painfully obvious that they wouldn't let me do anything good until I payed them some money. I was frequently unable to log on because I didn't have a "premium" (or whatever they call it) account, and all the best stuff in the game could be easily gotten simply by paying money rather than playing the game... so I sort of lost my incentive to play.

 

[stompy]

I played AdventureQuest a while back (like Yr7), and I felt it was too boring. Hell, I went back the Runescpae (of course, Runescape is terrible now, and I've outgrown it)...

 

[TheIceface]

I never saw the point in flash-based games outside of the quick thrill factor, or if my computer can't run downloadable games. I don't think I would be caught playing runescape or adventurequest or anything like that if I had the potential to be playing a game off my hard drive. It just doesn't have the same quality, or the appeal, unless I'm on a computer every day for lunch breaks where I can't download things.

 

[Johnn Johnston]

i've played them all briefly, but to me its a matter of:

"Start battle"
"See how this monster rolls"
"Do a quick in-head calculation"
"Flee or click the same button over and over"

It was fun and funny for about a week, i commend and salute those with the ball-fibre to endure it for longer.

That kind of gameplay is why I've not played 'em. Can't stand games like that, where it's grind-tacular and without anyone to talk to (WOW redeems itself in that respect).

 

[Sethran]

Well, the thing is that these games aren't meant to be played constantly for hours on end.

They're meant to, as they're billed, be played for an hour at the most. Brief periods of time, when you have a break and don't feel like loading up a heavy duty game on a console you might not have with you at the moment.