MarketGlory Review (transplanted from old blog)

I've been playing this online game for about a week now, and as far as in-browser strategy games go, it's not all that bad. The game is designed as a political and market simulator that allows you to both deposit and withdraw real cash in Euros. Now, I'm not playing this as a get rich quick scheme, nor do I think it will actually make me any real money, but it's a good way to work out your brain in your off time, and the possibility of a real profit entices you back, even if you need to play for a thousand hours to make one measely Euro.



The game is based around you as a citizen of the country you select, or that the game automatically selects for you based on your IP address. You instantly have access to this country's local market, currency, and jobs, and can work at those jobs, earning a salary based on "productivity" (an average of a few other traits). Working not only gets you your first currency, but also gives you experience, which increases your productivity. With your currency, you can buy food and drink that increases your energy, also increasing productivity (and your ability to fight, discussed later on). Your productivity will increase slowly at first, but you'll see the fruits of your labor in an increased salary in no time.

You can also make money by fighting, either in the arena, or for referrals. Fighting is another easy way to make money, and for every fight you win, you will make some of your local currency, based on your energy level. Everything you do decreases this energy level, and therefore decreases your profits from working or fighting. I'm fairly certain your energy level also decreases when you don't do anything at all, so it's not worth stocking up on energy for a rainy day.

All in all, it's not a bad game to play around on, and is a good way to fool yourself into thinking you might make some extra cash someday. I reccommend this game if you like Risk, Age of Empires, or Civilization, and if you stick with it long enough, refer some friends, and build your character, you might even make a few bucks.

Try it out here, and let me know what you think (play around a bit before you comment though)