Pirates
© 2005 2K Games
This online or stand alone PC and Xbox strategy simulation puts you in command of your own 1600's pirate ship in the Caribbean sea. This is an open-ended game that can take days to play, so make sure you save your game. Note that there are some significant differences between the PC and Xbox versions of this game. The Xbox world contains about 50% less area to explore and effects of the wind have been minimized. In either version, you can choose to attack other ships, explore deserted beaches for treasure, or visit towns for fun or for trading. As series of text menus lets you choose whether to trade, fight, dance (by hitting a series of buttons in rhythmic sequence) or move on. The better you do, as measured by your gold, the more ships and goodies you can unlock and equip, with the goal being to become the greatest pirate of all time. An Xbox live minigame option lets you play up to four other players (including any combination of human and AI players) in a ship duel. The sailing physics require considering the wind direction, and careful planning makes it possible to ram another ship. We liked how the game is based on historical content -- a "Pirate-O-Pedia" contains real nautical terms. There's no worrisome content other than the obvious references to pirate's fondness for rum and frequent sword fights. All in all, this is a nice application of fictional history, strategy, and open ended play that succeeds on getting you thinking like a pirate and learning a bit of fictionalized history. Designed by Sid Meier of Firaxis Games for 2K Games, a division of Take-Two.
$39.99, Xbox, PC
Teaches: history, strategy, sailing