Facebook parody RPG Fantasy University is now in open beta, developer Simutronics said Wednesday.
Described as "the premier fallback institution for students rejected by Hogwarts," Fantasy University is "free-ish" to play and available to the public on Facebook.
Fantasy University plays like a two-dimensional text-heavy RPG, with turn-based combat and a large variety of skills and items. You can pick from five different character classes, team up with other Facebook "BFFs" to embark on quests, and "save the world or something" according to Simutronics.
“Fantasy University is the Facebook of Facebook games," said David Whatley, co-founder and CEO of Simutronics, in the release. "Instead of preying on your neuroses to keep you coming back to your farm with co-dependency issues, F.U. plays to your superior sense of humor by offering up our warped digs at pop culture and the Internet life."
Whatley is a long-time veteran of MUDs, the text-based MMORPG predecessors that have sucked up a large chunk of my life. His company currently maintains GemStone IV, the longest-running commercial MUD on the planet. Simutronics also developed HeroEngine, a 3D game engine that BioWare Austin licensed for its upcoming MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic.
I played Fantasy University for an hour or two on Tuesday, and though some of the jokes are hit-or-miss, it's filled with plenty of funny references to pop culture and what seems to be a substantial amount of gameplay. The loading times can be frustrating – each action requires your browser to open a new page, and there quite a few actions to click. But this is definitely a Facebook game for gamers.
For more on Fantasy University, check out Game|Life's extensive preview.
Image courtesy Simutronics
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