Games - Penny Arcade Adventures : On the rain-slick precipice of Darkness *** ½

Webcomics are a phenomenon as old as the Internet itself, and if you've never read one . well, truth be told, you aren't missing all that much.

There are a few good ones, however, and Penny Arcade (www.penny-arcade.com) is the biggest and most successful comic on the Net, having both its own annual charity drive and convention. Almost all of their stuff is based on current events in the gaming industry, with a little pop culture thrown in from time to time.

These two cheap downloadable episodes of the Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness allow players to create a digital version of themselves and join Tycho and Gabe as they venture into the cursed city of New Arcadia to offer their services as paranormal experts. The graphical style is based on the work of artist Mike Krahulik (Gabe) and the story is stamped with Jerry Holkins' (Tycho) hallmark tightly written, satirical style.

The game is modelled on Japanese role-playing games, such asFinal Fantasy, but has a few fresh ideas of its own.

While it is not explicit, the humour is very adult and the dialogue does not shy away from four-letter words. If this doesn't bother you, then plenty of laughs await you in this comedy adventure.