Play Pyramid on Facebook

Most game shows make a fairly good transition from television to Facebook thanks to the very nature of game shows themselves. Successful game shows all have a play-along factor, allowing viewers to play along with the contestants as the game unfolds. The $100,000 Pyramid is one such game, which has become an enjoyable Facebook application.

Created by iWin, Pyramid for Facebook includes most of the elements you'd expect from the game except, of course, a celebrity partner. Guess words from clues, make it to the Winner's Circle, and identify categories to win virtual cash and a spot on the leaderboard.

Playing the $100,000 Pyramid is a fairly straight-forward endeavor. The game starts off with a choice of three categories and a random wheel spin to see how many words you'll need to get right to advance to the Winner's Circle. Each category contains six words, so there are eighteen available points.

You start off by choosing which category you'd like to play first. The category clue, which describes the theme of the words you'll be guessing, is revealed followed by the first clue for the first word. Each word has two available clues, which repeat until you either guess correctly, pass, or ask for an extra clue. There is one extra clue available for each word.

You work your way through each of the three categories in the front game. There is often a Big Six available, during which you win extra cash (determined by spinning a wheel) if you guess all six words in the category. There are also bonus items that you can collect while you play, though I haven't been able to discern what these are actually for.

The end game is, of course, the Winner's Circle. There are three categories here as well, but this time the game play is reversed. You'll get words that fit into each category, and you have to guess the theme. Fortunately for slow typists, you only have to enter the keyword in the category name to get it right. For example, if the category is "Things That Are Green," you can simply type in "green" and you'll be fine.

As with every game show adapted for play on Facebook, the $100,000 Pyramid has its ups and downs. Fortunately though, overall, it's a fun way to spend a few minutes each day.

Pros:

• The basic game of clues/words is intact, and if you know how Pyramid works you'll be right at home straight away.
• It's a quick game to play so you don't have to budget a lot of time for it.
• You can pass clues to friends at the end of each round, whether you won or not. This way everyone gets an opportunity to earn extra rewards.
• The theme song, while limited, is here.

Cons:

• You only get to play two free games each day; after your two games you have to purchase more if you wish to continue playing.
• The clues and words are rather limited – after two days of playing, I've already seen two repeats.

One thing that players from outside the United States should keep in mind is that the clues are strictly American (it is an American game, after all).

As far as online games based on game shows go, the $100,000 Pyramid is easy and fun to play. If you're looking for a real, in-depth challenge, this isn't the game you're looking for. I'd like to see ways to earn extra episodes that don't involve downloading or signing up for things, because by the time you really get into playing the game you're done for the day.

This game is quick and easy though, and it's fun to test your Pyramid skills outside of watching reruns on GSN or YouTube. With a few adjustments, including more available categories and words, the $100,000 Pyramid will be highly addicting.