You get to assemble your own imaginary friend to control in the game (and you can change their appearance again at any time). This is Blinky, my imaginary friend. He's based on my pseudo-imaginary friend that I had in high school. Yes, I used to talk to a blue party bulb named "Blinky" in high school for shock value. That was in 1992, when I was addicted to Darkwing Duck and Megavolt was my hero. Where did you think my nickname "Sparky" came from? So needless to say when I saw a lightbulb was available in this game I *had* to have it, make it blue, and call it Blinky. And now you know Blinky's life story. (Btw I am certain I still have the actual Blinky packed away around here somewhere, if I ever find him I think I shall have to post a photo.)
Anyways. Yes it is a fun game, and it *is* free so I encourage everyone to try it. When you log in you get a set of chores to do from Mr. Herriman, and you are advised to complete those chores in the same day else they become "harder" (meaning you will get larger numbers of each chore depending on your last login).
As you explore the house you may speak to the various characters you encounter (and I suggest you don't get too anal about who you meet - yes Ivan and Berry and Cheese should *not* be at the house but you know what, I'm glad they are).
You have in your control panel four slots available to do "favors" for Wilt, Ed, Mac, and Frankie. If you get stuck doing your chores and need help to complete them you can call in a favor from one of the characters whom you have already helped, and then their icon will disappear from your control panel. You cannot do favors for anyone if your Friendship slots are all full, but if you have at least one slot open you may do a favor for a friend for whom you already have an icon. Doing favors fills your Popularity bar. If you fill your Popularity bar completely you may unlock a mini-game (which then brings your Popularity bar to zero so you can work on filling it again). Getting your chores done fills your Citizenship bar. Once your Citizenship bar is full you can "go on an adventure" with Bloo (and of course, doing this brings your Citizenship bar to zero so you must fill it again before you can go on another adventure). Calling in a favor will either reduce that particular chore by about half (so calling in two favors on the aame chore will complete it) or, if there is only one thing to do in that chore, it will take care of it completely.
New for fall of 2008, now the chores and favors are stackable. That means that you can now do as many chores and favors as you want to, no more only being able to do them once a day. However, you still only get one set of chores and one favor for each day. That means that if today is Wednesday and you do three sets of chores and two favors, after you log out you will not be able to do chores again until Saturday and you will not be able to do favors again until Friday. I hope that makes sense. What's good about this is, if you know you can't play for a few days you can do a few days worth or chores and favors ahead of time. The old way, those days would just be lost. Note: I'm not actually sure if this is the case; it seemed that way at first but now I don't know. Can anyone confirm?
Bloo's "adventures" turn out often rather suspiciously like Herriman's chores if you ask me! Lol. But completing adventures helps with your Popularity and can earn you photos for your little photo album. Since doing favors and going on adventures is the only way to earn Popularity points, and as I said you cannot do favors if your Freindship slots are already full, be sure to ask your friends to help you with your chores so you can do more favors. You *want* to do a favor every day if possible. Asking for help with your chores has no adverse effects on your control panel. So be sure to do a favor every day, if you want to unlock mini-games.
Mini-games take the form of video games found in the House's Arcade. Playing them earns you prizes and photos, and your scores are visible to all players of the game in the "World Scores" screen if you rank among the top scorers (top scores refreshed weekly). You may play these games as often as you like, once your day's chores are complete.