Kingdom of Loathing

User Summary:

Kingdom of Loathing (KoL) is a satirical browser-based massively-single player RPG. Players assume one of six classes -- Seal Clubber, Turtle Tamer, Pastamancer, Sauceror, Disco Bandit, or Accordion Thief -- and venture forth on a quest to defeat the Naughty Sorceress and free the imprismed (yep) King Ralph XIV.

Although filled with silly pop culture refences and stick-figure artwork, the game nevertheless has a surprising depth and playability. There are several thousand discrete items that can be found through adventuring or purchased with "meat," the in-game currency -- from the lowly snorkel to the mighty plexiglass pith helmet, from a handful of white chocolate chips to the ominous spooky hi mein. Players are allotted a number of turns to spend each day, and can earn more each day by eating and drinking certain things. There is a robust crafting system for foods, booze, armor, weapons, jewelry, and "miscellaneous" (think "wumpus hair shirt"), and more than a hundred skills to collect each time the player completes the quest, ascends, and begins again. The game allows a variety of play styles, from casual to "hardcore" to "Bad Moon," each with its own restrictions, challenges, and in-game leaderboard showing fastest runs.

There is an active chat system with multiple channels, a simple-but-popular PvP system, clans and clan-specific content , an in-game mall supporting a vibrant in-game economy, active community forums (including a real-life convention held annually in Arizona), and new content and items being introduced monthly by the developers.

Best of all, it is entirely free to play.

Microbadge

Kingdom of Loathing fan