| Sea Dogs | Bethesda Softworks / Akella | 2000 | |
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This is a combination role-playing/action/strategy/simulator game reminiscent of the eternal classic Pirates! Sea Dogs puts you on the bridge of a score of 17th century naval vessels in dangerous waters. You play as Nicholas Sharp, a young English sailor who found himself enslaved by the Spanish when his ship was attacked. Recently free from his captivity, he has stolen a ship, has a token crew, and is out to earn his fortune, whether it be the route of pure revenge, honest trading, piracy, or a combination of all three. Walk through towns developing contacts and making business transactions, sail both calm and stormy waters, and exchange broadsides from everything from small fishing vessels to ships of the line. While there is a story line throughout the game, and multiple ways of ending it, you can merely just trade and fight to your hearts content if you wish. A 3-D engine that features various wind, wave, and weather conditions is the primary interface, as you navigate into harbors and engage enemies. Little nuances include patrolling sharks and circling seagulls, as well as visual damage to both hull and sails of each vessel. Walking about town is also done in 3D and you'll have to remember what streets hold what stores if you wish to just make a quick stop. There's a very strong role-playing element involved and you'll find yourself having to build up your character's abilities before you can tackle the larger targets. You can board ships with a heads-on 3D view, attacks forts, plunders towns, and ransack money from merchants. There's also the opportunity of making alliances with other captains in order for them to do your dirty business. Becoming involved in political intrigues, rescuing girls and many more romantic and interesting elements also exist in the game. A player will have to manage his crew and officers, his cannons (3 types), his cannonballs (4 types, with different damage for certain targets), will have lots of goods to trade, and over 100 non-player-characters (NPCs) to deal with. | ||
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