Pirates!
| Developer: MicroProse | Graphics: |
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| Publisher: MicroProse | Sound: |
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| Year: 1990 | Difficulty: |
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| Genre: Strategy-RPG | Lastability: |
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| Number of players: 1 | Rating: |
9/10 | |
A well-known title, released three years earlier on the Commodore 64.
You’re a sheep farmer in the Larzac. Wait, no, that’s not it. You’re a pirate in the Caribbean. You’re given a ship, a crew, a stock of tuna sandwiches, and off you go; free to play in this giant sandbox. It’s both very accessible and rich, as you can choose from a wide array of ways to earn your living: trade with the various coastal towns, go on treasure hunts, find your missing family members, become a privateer for one of the main colonial empires, or a mercenary for the highest bidder—or do all of it if you want!
In a game, it’s quite rare and, indeed, very pleasant to not be tied to a set path to follow or instructions to obey. Plus, it fits well with the pirate theme: do what you want, how you want, and your actions will determine the quality of your retirement at the end of your career. At best, you’ll walk away with all of Spain’s gold, a mountain of noble titles, and the governor’s daughter of your choice.
I still recommend taking a look at the manual, as it’s full of little historical anecdotes and tips to better understand the game’s mechanics. Also, grab a map.
Different versions were released on PC, Sega Genesis, CD32 (Pirates! Gold, 1994), and more recently on mobile phones, featuring enhanced graphics, at the cost of some technical compromises at times. Stick to the original versions on the Commodore 64 or Amiga.
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