Sid Meier’s Pirates! (2004)

Sid Meier’s Pirates is a nautical action adventure game that takes place during the 1600s, when pirates sailed the Caribbean! You start by deciding whether you want to sail for the English , Spanish, Dutch, or French. This decision affects your starting location, but once you’re in the game, you can befriend, ignore or attack any nation you wish. Let’s consider the pros and cons of Sid Meier’s Pirates…

Pros: Firstly, the open world structure of this game, gives the player complete control over their story. This gives Sid Meier’s Pirates a high replay value because you can tailor your gameplay for the experience you want. Secondly, although this is a game about setting sail from different islands, I am not on an island! In fact, Computer Games Magazine named Pirates! the second-best computer game of 2004, behind none other than World of Warcraft. Everything from the swashbuckling to the playful pirate soundtrack fits the tone of this game incredibly well.

Cons: Although this is an easy game to jump back into, the gameplay does get slightly repetitive. You will mostly find yourself wooing Governor’s daughters, attacking pirates, hunting for treasure or a combination of all three. I think there’s enough variety here to hold anyone’s attention, but the unavoidable treks across the Caribbean can wear on anyone’s patience. My only other negative is that you’re limited to your number pad and mouse to control this game. This isn’t ideal for most gamers that like to use their entire keyboards, but this is by no means a deal-breaker.

I give Sid Meier’s Pirates a solid A! Although you’re limited to a handful of actions, the open world structure allows you to thoroughly immerse yourself in this pirate story! I cannot recommend it enough! Happy Gaming!

“Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me!”