Players are frustrated by a variety of gameplay issues, including poorly designed mechanics, performance problems, and major bugs that halt progression. Specific complaints include restrictive quest design, lack of freedom in the campaign, and difficulties with resource management. Additionally, issues such as clunky controls, poor optimization, and repetitive tasks contribute to the frustration.
Players express disappointment due to the game's lack of complexity, historical accuracy, and differentiation from the Anno series. The game feels unfinished, lacks depth in several areas, and is criticized for being repetitive and boring. Many players also feel that the game does not meet their expectations and lacks originality.
Players enjoy the mix of Anno and Assassin's Creed elements, finding the gameplay fun and engaging. The pirate theme, good music, and interesting game mechanics are highlighted as positive aspects. The game is praised for being entertaining, intuitive, and less complex, with exciting features like raiding and ship battles.
Players are satisfied with the addictive gameplay loop, engaging gameplay, and detailed content. The game's graphics, sound, and overall enjoyment are praised, along with its simplicity and clarity. Players also appreciate the game's ability to bring back the old Anno feeling and its pirate theme.
Players experience joy from the enjoyable gameplay and the fun aspects of the game. The game is praised for being fun and providing an enjoyable experience over extended periods.
Verdict
Mostly negative
Summary
Positive 44% · Negative 56%. Score: 56 / 100
Positives:
The game is praised for its ease of use and intuitive mechanics, making it accessible for new players and those who prefer less complex city builders. The UI and menus are well-designed, providing clear information and reducing micromanagement.
Players enjoy the naval battles and the depth added by ship customization and captain abilities. The game offers a variety of ship types and the ability to level up captains, enhancing the combat experience.
The game is often compared to Anno but with a pirate theme, offering a unique twist on the city-building genre. Players appreciate the pirate elements, such as rum, bordellos, and sea shanties, which add to the immersive atmosphere.
The game simplifies resource management by sharing goods automatically among all islands, reducing the need for complex trade lines and making the gameplay more accessible.
The campaign is well-received for its length and ability to teach game mechanics effectively. Players find it fun and engaging, introducing concepts in line with the story.
Negatives:
The game is criticized for being too simple and lacking in-depth mechanics, particularly in town planning, fleet management, and overall gameplay complexity. Many players feel it is not as detailed or engaging as similar games like the Anno series.
The game is criticized for its lack of historical correctness in ship designs and for not fully embracing the pirate theme. Players feel that the pirate elements are tacked on and not well integrated into the gameplay.
Combat in the game is described as clunky, simplistic, and lacking strategic elements. Players note that naval battles are boring and lack depth, with ships turning instantly and having no weak zones.
The game has control and UI issues, including unintuitive elements, poorly arranged keybindings, and limited camera options. Players also note that the controls are buggy and not user-friendly.
The story is criticized for being unengaging and poorly designed. Quest design is also poor, with meaningless tasks and illogical quests that sometimes do not progress even when meeting the requirements.
Gameplay:
The game combines elements of city-building, resource management, and naval combat. It features a unique blend of economics, strategy, and diplomacy, with a focus on building and developing islands.
The game incorporates pirate-themed elements such as plundering, naval combat, and pirate activities like robbing and looting. Players can also hire and level up different captains with unique abilities.
Resources are shared globally among all islands, and players must manage multiple islands to ensure a steady supply of resources. Islands have limited space and specialized resource rates.
The game shares many mechanics with the Anno series, including supply chains, building mechanics, and resource management. However, it is often considered less complex and oversimplified compared to Anno games.
Naval combat is a significant aspect of the game, with different ship types and unique abilities. Players can customize their ships with various sails, paint, and upgrades.
Performance:
The game runs well on older PCs with no bugs or crashes reported after 15+ hours of gameplay.
The game maintains at least 50+ FPS consistently across different scenarios.
There are significant bugs reported in some of the game's quests, affecting the gameplay experience.
The game crashes when there is no internet connection, which can be problematic for offline play.
The mouse pointer is reported to be slow and laborious in its reaction, impacting user interaction.
Recommendations:
Many reviews suggest trying the demo to get a feel for the game before purchasing. This allows players to determine if the game suits their preferences.
The game is often recommended as a good purchase, especially when available at a discount. Players suggest taking advantage of sales to get the game at a better price.
The game is frequently recommended for players who enjoy the Anno series, city-building games, and pirate-themed settings. It is suggested as a good introduction for new players and those who find mainline Anno games intimidating.
Reviews are mixed, with some recommending the game despite its flaws, while others suggest avoiding it altogether. Some reviews remain neutral.
The game is seen as having potential but requires significant improvements to meet players' expectations fully.