No Players Online
No Players Online is a game in which you control an army and attempt to attack an entire computerized opponent while avoiding all the bombs that appear at the same time. Sounds easy, right? Well, it's not quite as easy as it sounds. While you do have some basic tactics for securing a lead on your opponent, the real challenge comes from knowing when to attack, when to defend, and how to make use of resources efficiently.
Unlike papercookies where a player has to move a certain number of pieces around a board and earn points by doing so, No Players Online involves little more than clicking on the appropriate square on the lower toolbar of the game menu, which triggers various actions. For instance, when you click on the square beneath the empty multiplayer list, you will be prompted to save your game. The only other action available when using this tool is the ability to clear all saved games to the "My Computer" folder.
What I find most interesting about No Players Online is the fact that it borrows heavily from many of the games I've previously written, like Papers, Chocolates, and Zox. But unlike those other games, No Players Online takes some gameplay elements I never really found that captivating until now. I especially love the way the game forces players to think out logically about their next move before taking any action. For example, you'll often find yourself behind the eight-ball, possessing a superior strategy that no opponent can counter before you do. Only problem is... you're no longer alone. You must play with another player in an 8-person multiplayer flash game before you are able to take your turn.
