![]() The 2004 (and later) versions did not really solve this problem with land battles at all and in fact even added more boring arcade sequences like dancing and sneaking into/out of town. I.e., if you are outgunned and outnumbered in a land battle you will probably lose. Also, with land battles, the outcome seemed to be largely predetermined by the numbers on each side, so the exhilarating against-the-odds quality of sea battles-defeating a large, heavily armed galleon with a fast sloop and a much smaller crew-was largely absent with land battles. Perhaps the main problem of Pirates! was that its arcade sequences were a mixed bag: Battles at sea (both ship-to-ship and the captains dueling) were fun, but land battles were rather boring. The Seven Cities of Gold in particular is an influence on Pirates! Meier himself has acknowledged in interviews. (While there is another board game by Tresham called Spanish Main, it has little resemblance to Pirates!.) Notable earlier computer games that feature some elements seen in Pirates! and could have served as partial inspirations include Oregon Trail (1971), Taipan! (1982 ported to the CPC by Ocean as Tai-Pan in 1986), Broadsides (1983), The Seven Cities of Gold (1984), and The Wild Bunch (1985, CPC-only). Unlike other famous Sid Meier games like Railroad Tycoon and Civilization which were strongly influenced by-or one might even say ripped off-existing board games designed by Francis Tresham ( 1829/ 1830 and Civilization, respectively, both published by Avalon Hill in the US), Pirates! was a relatively novel concept for its time. At some point they will mutiny if you go on too long without dividing up the plunder. The length of each expedition depends on the morale of the crew (so frequently check morale by pressing fire or space, then select "party status"). Every few years, you divide up the plunder (kill off some of your own men before that in battle, this will increase their happiness and share of the loot), then start another expedition. Gameplay consists of setting out to sea, plundering towns and looting ships, also trading, finding the occasional hidden treasure, etc. if you get wounded in battle too often, you will not be able to sustain a very long career. The length of the game is primarily determined by the character's health, e.g. There are also abducted relatives of yours you are supposed to track down. You are basically a pirate/privateer/trader in the Caribbean and the goal of the game is to retire rich, influential, and married. This game was one of the best of its generation, with a depth and replay value far beyond many other productions. Pirates! is a game by Sid Meier, originally for the C64 and released for the CPC by Microprose in 1987.
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