Using a point and click interface, you simply choose the place you want to go (bank, market, tavern, etc.) on the screen and up pops a relevant spreadsheet/chart or another piece of artwork containing even more pictorial menu items. Screen shots vary little from one location to the next, however, which drains a bit of realism from the overall look. The game is menu driven and usually seen from a first person perspective. Ship improvements (although at times it seems this is more a function of elasped time rather than the amount of gold in your coffers), reputation (four characteristics) and level of character promotion (journeyman, tradesman, merchant, master merchant, viscount) all play a large role in strategy development in High Seas Trader. If you could only get on with it instead of having to incessantly deal with sea-roaming marauders. The trading aspect of the game, as you would hope from the title, is excellent. There's a screen for just about any aspect of trading you'll need (bank, commodities, ships, etc.). The interface for using the charts and spreadsheets is user friendly. The usefulness of charts in determining and monitoring prices, demand and availability of products is impressive. It contains numerous spreadsheet options that help you track your economic progress. Once past that major shortcoming, High Seas Trader is a decent vehicle for voyaging on the vast waters of fortune building. The sheer number of combat opponents is like a tidal wave - impossible to avoid. Even the shallow attempt to spice up the fighting mode by giving you the option of various types of cannon ammunition seems wasted as discernible differences in effect are negligible. Realistically speaking, the amount of combat you must suffer through in High Seas Trader detracts tonnage from it's usefulness as a profitable business strategy venture. The game as an economic exercise is good but as a combat simulation it sinks deep in the briny depths. On the surface, the premise is well executed however, one serious flaw revolves around the inane amount of combat you're forced to endure while on those high seas. In this forum, you happen to be on the high seas, an entrapaneur/trader with contacts in far off places like Singapore and Cape Town. The basic principle of buy low, sell high is dominant throughout the game. High Seas Trader is a commerce simulation at heart.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |