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Arrrr Mattie, time to voyage the seas like no other. Loot what you want, go where ye need be, and blast any ship that sails by ye shores. Port Royale, if you haven’t learned from my horrid pirate talk is a real time strategy game of gold, power, and pirates. Thought the text based tutorial will get tedious quickly (not to mention the length of it), once you’ve gotten the basic premise down, the options are wide open and you can do with the sea what you will. The choice is yours to be a trader or a pirate, and the choices you make effect the environments around you. With the PC so chock full of strategy games, does Port Royale provide enough newness about it to satisfy even the most fickle fan? You bet your left eye patch it does…read on. Visually the game is appealing, but more or less standard fare compared to the other high quality titles on the PC market. Combining 3D battles with 2D worlds, much can be appreciated with the look and feel of Port Royale’s take on the 17th century. With some quality CG cut scenes that move the story along, highly detailed environments to build, scout, and loot from, and water effects that look straight from the Xbox, there’s nothing really noteworthy to knock Port Royale for visually. Too boot, the game allows for up to 1280 resolution for that crisp, clean look for all you graphic whores out there. The battles scenes are done very well, and even realistically, as there are no big nasty explosions to be found here. Remember this is sailing in the 17th century, a cannonball wrecks your hull and deck, not explodes everything in site. Even without over the top effects seen in futuristic games like C&C generals, Port Royale boasts more of a classy touch to battles, much like the time frame it is taken from. All displayed in stunning 3D fashion, the visuals keep pace with many of the latest hot titles that get more press than this one. If you are a fan of this genre, the visuals will suit you just fine.
Audio is also dyn-o-mite when used with the proper system. Great, high quality, voice acting and voiceovers guide you through mission objectives and story lines. The game’s score is very fitting to the period and makes you want to dance with a fair maiden in the ballroom. Much of everything else is standard fare and fits the game genuinely. Game play is top notch and will not only keep your interest high with its versatility, but with it’s addictive game play. Do what you like, build farms, take over towns, command a fleet of ships, trade on real time markets, or just set sail and discover territory on the new worlds. The game is very open ended and up to you how you set your fate. Keep in mind that doing any objective has obstacles and consequences that will challenge your wits and skills to the max. The game is very overwhelming for any rookie who may take on this game as a starter, but for veterans, the game will be very pick up and play, yet rewarding in the A.I. department enough to make you swear like a drunken sailor. Port Royale also offers some intriguing net play for up to 8 players, even though it’s battle based, it is a nice change from the mission driven storyline. However you play the game, you are sure to get much bang for your 30 bucks. There’s not much more to say without spoiling any experiences in the game, other than it’s very much worth the price of admission. If you are into swashbuckling fun, love Aril Flynn, or just are a pirate at heart, Port Royale will take you on an adventure that will have you breathing in the sea air for many moons. Sail on and hold on to your bounty! PII 450 (PIII 900 or higher recommend)
64 MB ram (128MB recommend)
500MB HD space
3D accelerated card (16MB minimum)
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