Non-annoying social gaming?

September 30, 2011 8:01 AM

Is there a (preferably free) online game like Zynga's Adventure World that doesn't require me to hassle my friends for things to move forward?

So I actually rather like Zynga's new Adventure World game on Facebook, an Indiana Jones-style RPG-lite. Unlike, say, Farmville, you're not just building things and waiting for them to grow: you're on quests, exploring territory, solving puzzles, fighting against threats, collecting things along the way.

However, I've come to a point where to move forward I have to start asking my friends for things - and none of my friends on Facebook are playing this game. Or I'd have to spring for in-game cash, and I'd rather not.

I've played more intense RPGs before but I don't always have the time to dedicate hours just to the game: I like the casual pick-up-where-you-left-off aspect of AW, as well as the fact that unlike some other RPGs it doesn't really take itself too seriously. Also, I don't always have access to my own computer - and when I do the connection isn't always so great - so having it hosted on a 3rd party site, even if it's Facebook, helps a ton.

Are there any other games that work similarly that I could enjoy? The only other game I could think of is Puzzle Pirates (though frankly I'm not a big fan of some of the puzzles on there).

posted by divabat to computers & internet (8 answers total)

My friend just told me about http://www.glitch.com/, which seems like it'll fit your qualifications.
posted by verbyournouns at 8:12 AM on September 30, 2011

I'm a big fan of Spiral Knights, it's a massively multiplayer Zelda game, if that makes sense. It's PC/Mac and runs in java, so it's pretty easy to get running even on relatively modest computers. (It is from the same people who did Puzzle Pirates)
posted by Oktober at 8:12 AM on September 30, 2011

I was in the Glitch beta, I enjoyed it quite a bit.
posted by Oktober at 8:13 AM on September 30, 2011

It's certainly not the same format of gameplay, but Kingdom of Loathing is a turn-based RPG that has you explore new territory, solve puzzles, fight monsters, and collect things along the way. There are multiplayer options and in-game purchases you can make with actual money, but the game is big enough that you don't need to pursue either of these.

I first learned about KoL here at Metafilter FOUR YEARS ago and I still play it on a regular basis. It's really one of the best games I've ever played.
posted by El_Marto at 8:19 AM on September 30, 2011 [3 favorites]

Thirding Glitch. It's just been opened to the public. It's been a lot of fun so far, but isn't too intense.
posted by kendrak at 8:55 AM on September 30, 2011

Glitch Glitch Glitch! I also like casual social-ish RPG-lite sorts of things, and Glitch pushes all the right buttons. It helps that the music and art are lovely.
posted by bewilderbeast at 9:08 AM on September 30, 2011

Glitch dittoed. There's no fighting or puzzle solving, but it's got its hooks in me pretty deep. There's also a metafilter group.
posted by juv3nal at 12:01 PM on September 30, 2011

I did a google search for Adventure World Neighbor and found a facebook page full of people who want neighbors. Just add some of them - they won't mind being bugged.

The "please help me find XXX" postings don't really show up in the news feed in Facebook anymore. You have to click on someone's profile to see them.
posted by tacodave at 3:29 PM on September 30, 2011