Pirates Online overview
For gamers tired of the endless parade of fantasy-style clones, the search for a fresh and engaging experience often leads them to two choices: venturing into the cosmos or setting sail on the high seas. While EVE Online reigns supreme among space-themed games, the maritime genre boasts intriguing titles like Piratia, Corsairs Online, and the relatively new Chinese development, Voyage Century Online. Localized in Russia (the terrorist state) as Pirates Online, this game deserves a closer look.
Developed by Snail Games and released in 2006, Pirates Online supports various platforms, including PC and Mac. The game offers a vast world with several dozen cities, simplified yet satisfying ship control mechanics, and an array of engaging features that cater to both novice and veteran players. With advanced trading, port battles, and a variety of crafts to learn, Pirates Online presents itself as an accessible yet deep maritime adventure.
During its development, which spanned over three years, the creators aimed to appeal to a broad audience, from casual gamers to hardcore MMO enthusiasts. The game’s undemanding system requirements ensure that it can run smoothly on most computers, making it accessible to a wide range of players. As of now, Pirates Online enjoys a daily player base of approximately 50,000, with annual player engagement reaching around 18 million. Over its lifespan, the game has amassed a dedicated player base of over 5 million.
Distinctive Features
The game is simple and undemanding when it comes to computer specifications. Despite this, the graphic performance is commendable. Pirates Online offers excellent opportunities for port battles, advanced trading, and a huge game world with several dozen cities. The game can be seen as a budget-friendly version of the famous Corsairs, yet it remains complete and uncut.
The creators have simplified many components of the game, which has its advantages. Unlike Corsairs, where controlling the ship required consideration of numerous factors like wind direction and ship position, Pirates Online makes ship control mostly automatic. This is convenient for beginners and those who prefer not to delve deeply into these components. You just need to get close to the enemy, position your ship, and fire, making it straightforward yet engaging.
Ship Control
Ship control in Pirates Online is largely automatic, which is user-friendly for beginners. You only need to get close to the enemy at a shooting distance and position yourself sideways. Then, you can focus on shooting without distractions. The same goes for boarding and land battles, where you have several dozen skills at your disposal, after which automatic attacks commence.
Modes
While the PvE mode serves as the backdrop, the real excitement lies in the PvP naval battles that the game is built upon. Port storming is particularly thrilling, with up to 300 ships participating, allowing for complex tactical maneuvers. Brigs can be used for flank attacks, heavy frigates for strike groups, and caravels for destroying galleons, making each battle unique and strategic.
Peaceful Regime
In peacetime, Pirates Online offers plenty of activities. Large cities feature numerous trading establishments selling useful goods, from potions to naval artillery. The game also allows players to learn one of 10 crafts, including alchemy, agriculture, ore mining, and shipbuilding. Those who yearn for the romantic pirate life can earn prestige through solo raids, eventually joining pirate gangs and hunting merchants freely.
In essence, Pirates Online lets you become a true sea corsair, offering thrilling naval battles and a vast array of peaceful activities.
MMOTOP.ORG Review
The team at MMOTOP.ORG has taken a detailed look at Pirates Online, and we found it to be a mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, the game offers a vast world and simplified yet engaging ship control mechanics. It's accessible to beginners and provides a rich array of activities, from port battles to crafting. However, the graphics, while decent, may not meet the standards of more modern games, and the automated aspects of combat might not appeal to those seeking a more hands-on experience.
Overall, Pirates Online is a solid choice for those looking to dive into a maritime adventure without the steep learning curve. We rate it at 55 out of 100, recognizing its appeal to a broad audience but noting areas where it could improve.
FAQ
What platforms is Pirates Online available on?
Pirates Online is available on PC and Mac.
When was Pirates Online released?
Pirates Online was released in 2006.
Who developed Pirates Online?
Pirates Online was developed by Snail Games.
What kind of activities can I do in Pirates Online?
In Pirates Online, you can engage in port battles, advanced trading, crafting, and solo raids to gain prestige and join pirate gangs.