Yeah, I'm back. hehe Bet ya missed me, didn't ya? <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" />
I admit, I didn't stick around long b/c I only had PotC. Great game for sea battles, but even with the mod (outstanding work, btw! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" /> ), it couldn't hold my attention for long. Just got... I dunno, kinda boring.
Well, I read on <a href="http://pc.ign.com" target="_blank">http://pc.ign.com</a> that Pirates! had come out. I thought, "Ya know, that PotC was fun, wonder what this is like?...". So I read their review (gave it a 9.2 and Editors Choice Award <a href="http://pc.ign.com/articles/567/567694p1.html" target="_blank">http://pc.ign.com/articles/567/567694p1.html</a> ) and thought, "Hey! Sounds great! Let's do some more research!"
Well, I remembered your site from the PotC stint and thought, "Well, not many Pirate websites and forums around, might as well try them!"
I'll admit, you guys nearly convinced me not to buy it. I take gamer reviews more seriously than website reviews usually as gamers know what they like and don't like. It really didn't sound like my kind of game.
So I went out and bought it anyway. lol EB Games had ONE copy of the Limited Edition left, so I snatched it up.
Got back installed and wasn't impressed with the beginning. Nice subtitles and sounds, but only a sky blue screen - no video. Is there supposed to be video there?...
Well, I start up my game and get going. Start off with the English (for some reason, I always play for the English... not those damned French <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/diomed.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":dio" border="0" alt="diomed.gif" /> .
5 hours later, I'm having a BLAST!!!!!! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />
Man, this game is just plain FUN! Granted, the sea battles are a little... weak compared to PotC, but the game plays extremely well - smooth, shiny and colorful!
First few times fencing on the ship while it's burning with men fighting in the background... Wow! lol The atmosphere in this game is outstanding! Watching those `mini-cutscenes` when you knock the guy down the stairs, or when you throw your sword... Superb! The look on their faces is priceless! One might say a little over the top, but it's just great!
I've never been a big economics guy (supply running - boooooooooring), so I'm relieved that it's pretty simple to keep your ship running. Just capture one and keep all the stuff! I've found my biggest problem is finding enough crew. Aside from running into port every couple days (camping outside and waiting), it's very difficult to get even 2/3 crew.
I thought for sure that I was going to HATE this "divide and plunder" thing as I'd be forced to start over again and again and again. Well, it's not really that bad! Granted, I'm reduced to one ship and a skeleton crew, but atleast I get to keep my coolest ship! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> One question though - when I do this, at the end there's an option to become a different kind of Captain - what does this do? I assume it'd be to unlock the better ranks with the Countries, or not? I think I've progressed to a "Rogue Captain" and I'm only 24! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" /> Almost forgot to mention, I'm a 24 year old English Duke with a Large Frigate captured from Henry Morgan! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bookish.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":mm" border="0" alt="bookish.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="onya.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hi.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":gday" border="0" alt="hi.gif" />
Sailing around is even fun! Pillaging those SPanish treasure ships, French merchants and Dutch raiders for the good of the English crown and then installing English Lords as governors is just plain FUN!
I think this is the only game where I've openly laughed and enjoyed myself the first time I played it.
The dancing part was difficult to begin with as a lowly Pirate. Now as an English Duke, I'm getting the hang of it - and I have my eye on this beautiful daughter of the Port Royale's Governor! After awhile, I'm getting the hang of it - and it's nice that it's "beat based" as I'm a percussionist - 8 years Concert, 6 years Marching and 6 years Pep. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> Band r0x0rz!!! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
To attest to the dynamics of this game, I went to say Hi to my sweetie in Port Royale. Chatted with the Governor and at the end, he confessed that the evil Colonel `Mon-something` kidnapped his daughter! Oh no!!!
So now I'm personally tasked with tracking this turd down to save my sweetie! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> Talk about cool!
All in all, I'm extremely glad I purchased this game! I almost want to say shame on you guys for bad mouthing the game and almost convincing me to pass it up - but I'm glad you bad mouthed it. Made me think that much harder and delve more into it and find out more about it. It's always good to make an informed decision. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
3 cheers for Sid and Firaxis!!! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="
" border="0" alt="onya.gif" />

I admit, I didn't stick around long b/c I only had PotC. Great game for sea battles, but even with the mod (outstanding work, btw! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

Well, I read on <a href="http://pc.ign.com" target="_blank">http://pc.ign.com</a> that Pirates! had come out. I thought, "Ya know, that PotC was fun, wonder what this is like?...". So I read their review (gave it a 9.2 and Editors Choice Award <a href="http://pc.ign.com/articles/567/567694p1.html" target="_blank">http://pc.ign.com/articles/567/567694p1.html</a> ) and thought, "Hey! Sounds great! Let's do some more research!"
Well, I remembered your site from the PotC stint and thought, "Well, not many Pirate websites and forums around, might as well try them!"
I'll admit, you guys nearly convinced me not to buy it. I take gamer reviews more seriously than website reviews usually as gamers know what they like and don't like. It really didn't sound like my kind of game.
So I went out and bought it anyway. lol EB Games had ONE copy of the Limited Edition left, so I snatched it up.
Got back installed and wasn't impressed with the beginning. Nice subtitles and sounds, but only a sky blue screen - no video. Is there supposed to be video there?...
Well, I start up my game and get going. Start off with the English (for some reason, I always play for the English... not those damned French <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/diomed.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":dio" border="0" alt="diomed.gif" /> .
5 hours later, I'm having a BLAST!!!!!! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

Man, this game is just plain FUN! Granted, the sea battles are a little... weak compared to PotC, but the game plays extremely well - smooth, shiny and colorful!
First few times fencing on the ship while it's burning with men fighting in the background... Wow! lol The atmosphere in this game is outstanding! Watching those `mini-cutscenes` when you knock the guy down the stairs, or when you throw your sword... Superb! The look on their faces is priceless! One might say a little over the top, but it's just great!
I've never been a big economics guy (supply running - boooooooooring), so I'm relieved that it's pretty simple to keep your ship running. Just capture one and keep all the stuff! I've found my biggest problem is finding enough crew. Aside from running into port every couple days (camping outside and waiting), it's very difficult to get even 2/3 crew.
I thought for sure that I was going to HATE this "divide and plunder" thing as I'd be forced to start over again and again and again. Well, it's not really that bad! Granted, I'm reduced to one ship and a skeleton crew, but atleast I get to keep my coolest ship! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="




Sailing around is even fun! Pillaging those SPanish treasure ships, French merchants and Dutch raiders for the good of the English crown and then installing English Lords as governors is just plain FUN!
I think this is the only game where I've openly laughed and enjoyed myself the first time I played it.
The dancing part was difficult to begin with as a lowly Pirate. Now as an English Duke, I'm getting the hang of it - and I have my eye on this beautiful daughter of the Port Royale's Governor! After awhile, I'm getting the hang of it - and it's nice that it's "beat based" as I'm a percussionist - 8 years Concert, 6 years Marching and 6 years Pep. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="


To attest to the dynamics of this game, I went to say Hi to my sweetie in Port Royale. Chatted with the Governor and at the end, he confessed that the evil Colonel `Mon-something` kidnapped his daughter! Oh no!!!
So now I'm personally tasked with tracking this turd down to save my sweetie! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

All in all, I'm extremely glad I purchased this game! I almost want to say shame on you guys for bad mouthing the game and almost convincing me to pass it up - but I'm glad you bad mouthed it. Made me think that much harder and delve more into it and find out more about it. It's always good to make an informed decision. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="


3 cheers for Sid and Firaxis!!! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

