|
Rent & Review: |
|
Disclaimer: The idea behind "Rent & Review" is to rent a game for a
week, then offer a review based on the time played during the rental
timeframe - usually one week. So basically, use this review at your own
risk...
I
have to admit - I am a big fan of the whole Pirate genre. It's
unfortunate that there aren't more movies, books and games out there
that really capture the essence of pirating. I do understand that the
life of a Pirate can be a boring one at times, being out at sea for long
stretches of time and trying not to die from the elements, disease and
your fellow crewmates. So, that kinda makes the whole pirate genre a
little more difficult to really capture and keep people interested.
At times, some gems come along. Many people can name a movie or two that really does a great job - maybe even a dozen books or so. Games? Well, there have been many attempts, but many fail to truly gather the player(s)' interest and hold it. Well, of you are a fan of Pirates and have an Xbox (or a somewhat up-to-date PC) then you have to get your hands on the Sid Meier's Pirates! game.
I have to say that I've put off renting this game for some time now. I do recall playing the OLD PC version of this game many years ago, but I wasn't sure how the updated version would stack up to today's games and demanding electronic gaming fans. It wasn't until after a friend rented it and raved about it that I figured that I should at least give it a spin.
Boy, am I glad that I did.
The game starts with setting up how you got into pirating. Family was taken and separated all over the Caribbean, and now that you are older you want to find them. Oh, and in the process you want to become the coolest Pirate in all of history. Wait - did I mention revenge?
When playing the game, you are offered all sort of quests. Treasure maps, lost cities, villains that need to be brought to justice, the list goes on and on. Also, there are other Pirates who sail the waters with you, and by taking them out not only can you take their cargo and their ship, but you can raise your status among the other pirates who sail.
Combat in the game takes on 3 different forms: Ship to ship, Dueling with swords and troop to troop battles.
With ship to ship, you are using your available crew and cannons to attack the opposing ship(s). There is the availability of 3 different shot-types - one general one, one for damaging sails, and one for taking out crew. It is possible that you can get a ship to surrender if you beat it down enough - heck, some you only have to catch and they surrender. The easier way to take a ship is to board her and take out the captain. This brings us to dueling.
In a duel, you are offered 3 different sword choices. After you choose, you are faced by the opposing captain and the fun begins. Well, sort of. You have a limited number of moves and options in a duel. If you pay close attention and are quick on the trigger, you can't loose a duel.
Troop to troop battles only occur when you are on land and are taking over a town. The local militia will come out to face you and your ragged band of pirates - last group standing wins. This is pretty simple here as well - have more troops than the town has militia and you should win easily. Be smart and you'll survive. If you win - claim the town in the name of <insert nation here>.
While the combat factor causes this game to loose points, it earns points in the "busy" factor. There is plenty to do to keep players busy - and interested. Finding lost relatives, while taking some time, is cool and something to do between other quests - like wooing the local Governor's beautiful daughter with your wit - and dancing skills. The list goes on and on.
Graphics and sounds are nothing too special. The cut scenes in battles become boring as they are constantly repeated throughout the game. I grow weary of always kicking the "traitor" who has holed up in a tavern somewhere down to the first level of the establishment after the first swing in a battle. Oh, and all of those battles end the same - the bad guy gets bashed in the head by the waitress. O-L-D - it gets old quick.
After playing this game during my rental period, I have to say that I want more. While there are some negative points in the game, there are more positives that keep me interested and wanting more. This one, I may actually buy. While I was a little unhappy with the game on the first day, I stuck with it and eventually became enamored with it.
Obviously there are more details that I have left out of this review for the purpose of being brief, but there are some other elements that bore me and more that make me interested in playing again and again. Check this game out for yourself sometime - rent it before buying unless you are a big fan of the Pirate genre. I rented, and now I think that I will buy.
Written by Gene A. Vogel
(Posted 10-01-2005)