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I need to start this review by informing every one of you that ninjas are and always will be superior to pirates. You will not change my mind on this. I am steadfast. I am a rock. I am a ninja loving brick wall. With that said, I do love me some pirates. What’s not to love about seafaring swashbuckling swordsmen? Plus, they get really drunk and then sing about getting really drunk. Sounds like a solid Friday night, to me.

In Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates, you do as pirates do. And by that I mean challenge other pirates to duels. And by duels I mean puzzle games that will seem oddly familiar. You will sail the seas and pillage enemy ships (ships can be player or computer controlled). While aboard a ship, you will take on various tasks represented by more puzzle games that seem oddly familiar. In fact, nearly every puzzle game you play in Puzzle Pirates will seem oddly familiar. That’s because they are. To call these games inspired is like calling Niagra Falls a trickle. Remember Super Puzzle Fighter? It’s in there. This version is called, “Swordfighting”. Have you ever played Bejeweled? Yeah, that’s in there, too. This version is called, “Bilging”. How about Puzzle Bobble? That one’s a classic. Well, their version is called “Rumbling”. There are many more, all of which are derivative of an earlier puzzle game.

Apparently, this is what a sword fight really looks like.

Don’t misunderstand me, though. I’m not saying that all the games are thoughtless and soulless rip-offs of greater games before. If anything, a lot of these games play like updated versions of the games they were inspired by; sequels that were never made. You feel used to the each game right after picking it up, but new ideas of have seeped in, which makes everything still feel fresh. Head to head gameplay is a common occurrence, but there are plenty of NPCs that you can also issue challenges to. As with most free games, there is content only available through subscriptions as well as items you can use only after you pay real money for them.

The movement within the world is clumsy due to the point-and-click mechanics (similar to games like Fallout). At times, you’ll not be able to see where you’re going because of the ¾ overhead view and the landscape feels crowded.

This picture was taken shortly after this pirate drank a jug of rum and killed a man. Trust me. He deserved it.

If you’re looking for a good pirate-themed puzzle game (and really, who isn’t?), Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates delivers. If you’re looking for pizza, Pizza Hut also delivers. But you don’t want that. The Thai place down the street is always a better choice. Try the Panang Noodle. It’s delicious.

www.puzzlepirates.com

RANKING: 5 OUT OF 10

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