There have been countless ports and remakes of Sid Meier's Pirates for almost every retro system and console, including a "modern" (now retro) Windows release. However the edition titled Pirates Gold for the SEGA Genesis/MegaDrive stands out in part to the breathtaking pixel art and beautiful music.
The Story
Like all entries in the Pirates series, your story changes depending on the Historical Time Period you choose to start your game in. In Pirate's Gold you have 6 different time periods to choose from:
1560 - THE SILVER EMPIRE
1600 - MERCHANTS AND SMUGGLERS
1620 - THE NEW COLONISTS
1640 - WAR FOR PROFIT
1660 - THE BUCCANEER HEROES
1680 - PIRATE'S SUNSET
Each time period has different game balance adjustments pertaining to; the number of ports/cities in the game, the ratio of Spanish, English, French and Dutch Ports, wars, and general Caribbean politics and economies.
As mentioned above you also have 4 different nations to choose from when creating your character. Even though this really only has an effect on your starting point and a discounted letter of marque, it can be fun to dive right in to expanding your home nation's empire by immediately going to war with rival powers. Or play politics and cash in on the warmongering nations.
Your created pirate also has a designated special skill which can be vital to the longevity of your career as a seafaring warlord. These available bonuses are:
FENCING
NAVIGATION
GUNNERY
WIT AND CHARM
MEDICINE
Traditionally choosing medicine will extend your play time as the long term effects of a life at sea will break your character down at a slower rate than usual. Just like in real life, as you age in the game you get slower so beware.
The ultimate goal of the game is to complete the Ten Pirate Quests. These have a significant impact on your end game score. These quests include: capturing pirates, rescuing lost family members, promotions from the governor, finding the Inca treasure, getting married or plundering the Silver Train and the Treasure Fleet.
The Game
The game itself is a charming recreation of the pirate Caribbean of 1560-1680 with plenty of ports to visit and plunder. The game itself can have a pretty strict learning curve as it doesn't exactly hold your hand or give you any real relevant information on how you are suppose to progress or what your recommended next action could be. This is where the freedom of choice comes to play.
You can declare war on anything that moves, attacking every trade ship and trading port that comes in your sights. Or you can live the life of a trader, sailing port to port with your wares hoping to find the best price. You are free to play as you wish.
Truly the best way to progress in the game is to receive promotions from friendly governors, which in turn will unlock higher ranks and potentially lead you to your lost relatives. Getting your letter of marque and plundering enemy vessels is the easiest way to do this.
As you progress through the game become more notorious and wealthy more men will want to join your voyage, giving you the opportunity to plunder larger targets. You must also learn to manage your crew's morale as a life at sea is a harsh mistress.
Looking back at this game for what it is, it really is a masterpiece of nautical gaming. Very few pirate themed games have even come close to this series in terms of fun-factor and entertainment value. Proving that the old formula does in fact prove true, for pirate themed games at least.
If you have never played this game before and want to explore something much different than your typical retro game, hunt down a copy of Pirates Gold! for SEGA Genesis/MegaDrive and feel the wind in your sails.
