Preview Age of Pirates preevoo at Hooked Gamers

[Saint_Proverbius]

Tags: Age of Pirates

Yup, <A href="http://www.hookedgamers.com/">Hooked Gamers</a> has a nifty <A href="http://www.hookedgamers.com/features/AoP/">preview</a> of <a href="http://www.akella.com/k3/">Age of Pirates</a>. Yeah, it's another high seas CRPG from the landlubbers at <A href="http://www.akella.com">Akella</a>. Anyway, clip:
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<blockquote>That's as far as the story goes in Age of Pirates. You'll find out more about Blaze and Beatrice as you play the game but their backgrounds don't really influence the overall plot. In fact, the plot is simple and straightforward. It's your task to finish the job that Nicholas started and bring the entire Caribbean under your rule. Now that's a challenge! While you're trying to achieve your main goal the game will keep you entertained and gaining experience through randomly generated quests. These quests aren't generated at the start of the game but are continuously generated so that you never run out. In essence, this enable you to play an endless game that continues until you have reached the main goal at a time of your choosing.</blockquote>
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I really like randomly generated things. A few years ago, I didn't. Today, random is good. Why? Because most of the hand written quests the developers script are about as mundane as the stuff a generator spits up so you might as well have the variety.
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Thanks, <b>Falconer</b>!

 

[Twinfalls]

Finally some news on this one. The first Seadogs was very good stuff.

 

[Section8]

Yeah, good to see it's getting closer. I really enjoyed Sea Dogs, and even Pirates of the Carribean, even though it could have been much better.

 

[Twinfalls]

This is sounding a SHITLOAD better. Check out the second page of the preview:

No, the most significant by far will be the ability to take over and develop towns. Yep, you read that right. No longer will you just be attacking to loot, you'll be attacking to conquer and keep. After you've successfully taken an enemy colony, you can install a governor loyal to you and when he's in place you can start shaping the colony to suit your own goals. However, not all colonies need to be forced to 'see things your way'. It's possible to bribe governors to swing them over to your side.

Obviously a pirate captain needs a ship. You can obtain ships in several different ways. Buying and capturing are the more obvious ways but it's also possible to add to your fleet through quests and partnering with other captains. Such partnerships may not last forever as partnered captains aren't known to be exceptionally loyal and reliable. Of course you could always try and punish such behaviour and attack the 'traitor' and assign one of your officers as captain of your newly acquired vessel.

Did I mention officers? Yes I did. In similar fashion to PotC and Sea Dogs, officers may join your crew and add their skills to your own. Nothing new there but what is interesting is that officers also gain experience and as they gain levels, you can control in which direction they develop. Keeping your officers alive becomes vital as a well developed NPC can enhance your ability to survive in the harsh and hostile Caribbean considerably.

Another way to increase your chances is through ship upgrades. You can outfit the 16 different ships that the game sports, with a number of upgrades. There will be twelve cannon upgrades that aren't only about how heavy they are. You can also acquire cannons of different quality. Higher quality cannons will for instance allow you to fire more often before overheating and blowing up. Other upgrades improve the speed and handling of your ship like brass plating and improved rigging. Between the wide range of ships and variety in upgrades, it's possible to create a very versatile fleet with ships catering to different wishes. The only restriction is in the amount of ships that the player can control which is up to four at a time.

We'd almost forget that your own character gains experience too! The skill system consists of 11 skills that you can assign skill points too. Among a range of combat related skills like sword fighting and defense, there are several that will help you improve trade and the speed of repairs on your ship when it has been damaged. On top of that you receive ability points with each new level. Ability points can be used for special abilities that also influence your character. The Heavy Hand skill for example, will allow you to negate enemy blocks during melee combat and the Helmsman skill reduces the damage your ship suffers during storms.

 

[Gwendo]

It sounds good.

About random generated quest... They must be done well, so they don't become too generic, making the game too impersonal.

 

[Chefe]

Who cares if they're generic? Most hand-written scripted quests are too generic like SP said... at least now we have variety again.

I remember looking up to see if there was any new information on this game a few days ago, nice to see a preview up. Who doesn't love pirates? Sounds like they have some really cool features planned, can't wait to see how it all plays out.

Shiver me timbers!

 

[Twinfalls]

ARRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

that had to be done

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

Who cares if they're generic? Most hand-written scripted quests are too generic like SP said... at least now we have variety again.

Truth be told, over the last year or so, the games I've had the most fun with have had heavy doses of random generation - Gearhead, Fate, and Sacred.

 

[Naked_Lunch]

Well, even though Gearhead's quest are indeed randomly generated, you have different options on how to complete them each time.

 

[LlamaGod]

I wanna play this game.

I lub pirate games.

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

Seems I have something new to antecipate, gamewise.

 

[Deacdo]

Thank goodness they broke away from Bethesda and remained in one piece. This one looks like what Sea Dogs 2/Pirates of the Caribian should have been.

 

[hoisty]

2 LlamaGod

All of us want.
We were waiting the Game at 28.10.2005, but it should be in this week in Russia. (But, should be- NOT will be ( )

 

[Otaku_Hanzo]

Shame on all of you for not keeping tabs on this in the first place over at Pirates Ahoy!

Filthy landlubbers. Arrr........