Pirates of the Caribbean Online is a massively-multiplayer online (MMO) voyage through the pirate-infested Caribbean as portrayed by the feature films, although it is not locked to the events or timeline of any particular one. In addition to scallywag hordes of other online pirates, you'll quickly cross paths with Elizabeth Swann, Will Turner and, of course, Captain Jack Sparrow (he's the one who busts you out of a jail cell at the beginning of the game, in fact -- a jail cell you'll be thereafter seeing, and kicking yourself out of, rather a lot over the course of your online adventures). The principals aren't voiced by the actual actors, but the sound-alikes are adequately convincing.

Even moderately-experienced gamers will notice straight away that the graphics are modest -- much of this is intentional, with an eye toward keeping the system-requirements reasonably low. The admittedly less-than-cutting-edge visuals are best described as cartoonish rather that actually "lacking" and they are particularly well-suited to the good-fun look and feel of what is, after all, intended to be a kid-friendly game in the Disney tradition.

The game is a mix of land-based exploration, treasure-hunting and general swashbuckling (mechanically, the latter involves a lot of repeated clicking to swing swords or fire pistols, but does feature a timed-swing element that requires some attentiveness -- more so still if your internet connection lags), combined with ship-based combat and even some good old-fashioned gambling and/or cheating in various card-houses and taverns of low repute. These forms of "gambling" -- Poker and Blackjack -- are another way to rake in some in-game coin between quests.

Of all the challenges of the game, the ship battles are the most interesting. Online friends "crew up" together and take to the seas, with one player maneuvering the ship and letting fly with broadsides, while other players man individual cannons -- as per the pirate code, all hands share any loot at the conclusion of a cruise, with the captain getting a larger slice of the pie for him/her self. Meanwhile, it's a genuine sea-hoot to actually watch your assorted mateys scurrying about the deck as you make sail. Whether on land or at sea, you'll be able to earn "Notoriety points" with which you can purchase special combat moves, sea sailing/shot bonuses, and other benefits.

The game functions well enough overall, with the exception of occasional lag (usually a game server or connection issue, not a design flaw), but there are some notable irritants. One of them, which one can hope will soon be addressed, involves the inexplicable, surprise spikes in difficulty: There you'll be (fairly early in the game), carefully timing your hacks and slashes through a cluster of crab-things more-or-less suited to your character's current level ... and among them, like a lit firecracker in a mouthful of noodles, you'll suddenly encounter a single creature whose level is jacked way higher than everything else in the immediate battlefield (including -- you realize, just before the lights go out -- you).

Another oddity is that, for a game that touts the adventure of joining your fellow swashbucklers in virtual Carribbeanspace, Pirates of the Caribbean Online doesn't allow quest-sharing -- if you've picked up a mission to go out and whack so many creatures, pirates-from-beyond-the-grave or what have you, you're on your own until the deed is done. Even meeting with your friends can be a challenge at first as you must "physically" hook up with them in the game-world the first time (after which, you'll have them flagged as your crew and be able to instantly warp to them).

Those TV ads you may have seen with the "Play online free" business are technically correct, but alas, they're also a bit misleading. There is, in fact, a free version of the game, as in free software and free access, no credit card or payment method required, but its freeness nets you a Basic Account: Ad-sponsored, experience/level capped, and hobbled in other ways, too; certain types of gambling blocked, and lower priority for "Ocean" (game server) access. For the full-access fee of $9.95 US per month -- a wee bit pricey, considering the nature of the game -- these restrictions are removed; you don't have to deal with ads, and you get to enjoy greater varieties of combat, expanded quests, and Voodoo (any additional edge you can get in the card-gambling dens of a pirate town is a good edge).

Pirates of the Caribbean Online can be challenging and fun, particularly with its sea-based battles; it's definitely aimed at those seeking a more family-friendly swashbuckling adventure in general, and fans of the Disney brand of Caribbean-pirate fantasy in particular.