PIRATES OF THE BURNING SEA (online multiplayer)
This is a late addition to the free online game category. As usual the player can play for free, and also pay for additional stuff to make gameplay easier and more successful, but this doesn't really seem to be necessary. And while there is a "levelling system" within this game, with players gaining experience over time which makes them perform better, there seems to be a limit to how far one can advance, and it doesn't take a great deal of work to begin to approach this limit. Thus, like the somewhat similar game 'Puzzle Pirates' previously reviewed, for the most part success in the game is about how well the player performs, rather than the amount of time or money spent on the game. But unlike 'Puzzle Pirates', where the focus was on the players joining together to form crews, each doing their required jobs, in this game each player plays the part of the captain of computer-controlled crews. So instead, players join together to form fleets of warships.
Though it is massive, and there is a massive amount to do, which is never exactly the same, for the most part the game consists of repeatedly doing the same basic things over and over again. However these few things are realised so well within the game that it is an absolute delight to play. I haven't even had very much experience yet of the even more interesting multiplayer aspect of the game, but I've greatly enjoyed what I've seen of it so far.
The game is a fantasy simulation of the Caribbean in 1720, with four nations - British, French, Spanish and Pirate each fighting for control of the area. It's partly historical and partly fictional. It really sends you back in time to a fully realised world with an awesome atmosphere, and sets the player on an exciting swashbuckling adventure taking place on land and at sea. Though there are storylines to follow, it is a free-roaming game, where the player decides what they will do within the game.
After choosing which nation they wish to be allied with, the player then chooses their specific career, which makes them a bit better at either combat or trading. For example the three established nations each have the option of becoming a naval officer, being well trained in combat, but the divided, disorganised Pirate nation doesn't have a navy. Then, after the player has designed their character the game begins, and they are thrown straight into the action on board a ship during battle. You are a member of the crew, and after the captain is killed it is up to you to take over as the new captain and lead the crew successfully into fame and fortune. You quickly learn the basics of swordfighting and sailing, then put into port and are left to decide what to do next...
Here you'll find a great deal of computer-controlled characters with missions they need doing, with rewards of experience and pay, as well as additional useful items and learned skills. There are an enormous number of missions available, and some can be repeated daily. The missions will mainly involve doing one of a few things...
Trading. You can forage or manufacture your own goods, or else buy what others are selling, and transport them across the ocean to sell for profit wherever there is demand for what you or another is producing. And basic supplies you will need for yourself are always available, but ships and more useful specialised items (if you can't easily manufacture them yourself) can only be bought from other players, being sold at their chosen prices. Though you can haggle and offer a lower price, which may be accepted.
Sailing. On the open ocean time and distance are greatly reduced, so you can sail up to a couple of miles per second. But you may need to make a trip of up to 2000 miles, at a reduced speed. The course must be planned and adjusted to account for wind direction, currents and danger zones, especially if carrying precious cargo. You can attack enemy ships on the ocean, but fortunately the computer-controlled ones seem to rarely attack players, which is a relief because there are a lot of them. Players will very often attack other enemy players though, but a skilled player could maybe use the wind to their advantage, and outsail them and escape.
Swashbuckling. This is hand-to-hand combat, either on land in a variety of situations, or else on the deck of a ship during boarding combat. This usually uses a sword, but brawling with wrapped fists is also available. In addition you can occasionally pull out a single shot pistol to shoot the enemy - which is a lot more satisfying than continually shooting. Each career has its recommended fighting style, with seperate weapons, but you can choose whichever style you like, and even change your mind later. You will usually be set against several enemies at once, and may also have allies fighting on your side, who may also need to be protected as part of a mission. The situation and atmosphere is always excellent, and it's also a lot of fun, and success depends upon smart and efficient use of different fighting moves which are gradually learned, as well as some fancy footwork.
Sea battle. This is the most spectacular part of the game. There can be several situations, such as a variety of encounters in missions, like salvaging floating cargo from the midst of a heavy battle, destroying or evading a fleet while protecting allied ships, destroying, protecting or capturing a coastal fort, blockading a port, etc. Or it could be as part of a battle for control of a port, with player warships defending one of their ports from an attack by an enemy nation. But usually it is a result of an attack on the open sea, where it goes back to normal size and speed, but the ships remain in their same positions relative to the wind and also the land if there is a coast nearby. There are different weather conditions, which may affect the battle, and also reinforcements may sometimes be able to join the battle. Ships may try and escape, or else they will fight until all enemy ships have either been sunk, abandoned, surrendered or captured in boarding combat - which results in a swashbuckling fight on the deck. There are different ammunition choices, for example cannonballs chained together are fired at the sails to damage them, slowing the enemy ship, and could even bring down the mast, disabling it completely. Like all throughout the game, the atmosphere is superb - you can really feel the power of the cannons, and everything happens in wonderful detail.
Exploring. When you're not at sea, or on some hostile island, or doing some other thing, you will be in a port searching around for something to do, or doing something that needs to be done for a mission, or else doing some trading, or learning new fighting skills, etc. Some missions require talking to various people and making decisions, which may affect your future. But with all this to do, the ports are also a wonderful place just to rest and relax. Once again the atmosphere is wonderful. All throughout the game there is great music, but in addition the ports sometimes have musicians playing their own music. This is especially delightful in the taverns, which usually have a great atmosphere, and in a British tavern you may hear things like, "More ale! More ale!" followed by, "ALE FOR MY FRIEND!" amongst the merry crowd. And it's such a delight to wander around town watching and listening to the various activities going on - at the dock someone's having trouble moving some heavy cargo, meanwhile someone else has just been robbed, whilst down a nearby alley some salty pirates are rolling dice. In addition there will be many personal conversations going on, and these can be very entertaining to listen to - a bunch of thugs explaining the details of their "insurance business", some drunkards arguing and philosophising, a very polite man picking up a prostitute in a tavern, etc.
Overall this game is an utter delight to play. It looks amazing, sounds extraordinary, and wonderfully simulates a world of exciting swashbuckling adventure, with an excellent atmosphere in every part of the game. Your character can perform actions, some to other characters, and a nice one is the ability to roll dice. Thus you could play dice games. Or arrange sailing races, fighting tournaments, etc. It's just such a wonderful world to inhabit, and could use more people who really get into character and live the part, instead of just playing the game.
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