Rating: 
Summary: Do you like detail?
Review: Having just read James Clavelle's Tai-Pan, I was ready for a sword and sail trading game. That's when I found Port Royale. In this game by Ascaron, you are handed a ship docked in your starting yown, a good amount of starting gold, and the entire Caribbean (16-17th century) as your playground.There are so many options here. You can play any way you want. Open your own businesses. Hunt pirates. Trade between towns. Run missions for a governor. There are too many to list. Unfortunately, gameplay comes back to trade. and in typical German fashion, the trading model is so detailed that it is nearly impossible to grasp without a detailed tutorial - which this game does not have. Additionally, the prices of items continually changes as the dynamic economic model changes. The creation of dynamic trade routes is so complicated, it even forced the line in the manual stating that it is easier than you may believe. So how did I rate this game? The game was so well planned, with so much attention to detail and atmosphere, it deserves a 5. However, there are some crash bugs, and the game does nowhere near enough to provide an access to the economic model. It is a shame, because there is so much done right here: A dynamic caribbean, where every action you take affects the region whether on a small scale (Your trading of goods will effect their price fluctuations.) or on larger scale (Defeating famous pirates, sinking an enemy nations ships as a bucanner, attacking the Spanish treasure fleet, etc.) Should you buy this game? Yes, if you are patient, love this setting, and are willing to invest a lot, and I mean a LOT, of time thoroughly learning the game's awkward interface, complicated trading and economic system, and trade route and business strategies. You should not buy this game is you do not have the time or the patience, are lukewarm to this genre of games, and want immediate gratification from your purchase. In conclusion, this game has been called in other reviews as a game with a Mount Everest of a learning curve. If you are up to the challenge, even the frustrated gamer such as myself can see this game will reap huge bounties of entertainment for those willing to put the time into it. As for myself, there are just too many good games out there to ignore all of them to study Port Royale. Bottom Line: If you really need a pirate gtame, wait for Sid Meier's Pirates, coming soon. Or play the simpler (but not less fun) Pirate Hunter, also by Ascaron.
Rating: 
Summary: Avoid this game!!
Review: I played the demo of this game and loved it. However, when I purchased the retail version it was very buggy and rarely if ever works. The demo ran fine only on the retail version have the problems manifested themselves. I've contacted Ascaron tech support multiple times with no response other than "Read the FAQs". There are many others with the same problems and getting no help. Check out the forums on Ascaron.com for more details. I would not reccomend this game to anyone until Ascaron decides to fix it.
Rating:
Summary: Avoid this game!!
Review: I played the demo of this game and loved it. I purchased the retail version, it is very buggy and usually doesn't work. I've tried getting help from Ascaron but they don't respond to my e-mails. Check out the forums at Ascaron.com. There are many others that are having the same problems and getting no help from tech support.
Rating:
Summary: Game Didn't Work For Me Either
Review: I purchased this game back in July of 2003 and haven't been able to get past the "loading" phase before it freezes my computer. The Ascaron website is of no help except to see that many others have also had this problem. As other reviewers here have said, the Company doesn't seem to care much about this. Apparently, the ability of function is hit or miss with this game. Stay away!
Rating: 
Summary: If you like sim audit you¿ll love Port Royal
Review: I was hoping to do a little pirating, but instead found myself muddled in finances. When you can't get through the tutorial without confusion its not good.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Game
Review: If you have any interest whatsoever in pirates or maritime history this game will intertain you. I am a Avalon Hill "Blackbeard" veteran, and I like what I saw in Port Royale. Although these two games are largely dissimilar, Port Royale caused me to make the switch.
Rating:
Summary: Good Game
Review: If you have any interest whatsoever in pirates or maritime history this game will intertain you. I am a Avalon Hill "Blackbeard" veteran, and I like what I saw in Port Royale. Although these two games are largely dissimilar, Port Royale caused me to make the switch.
Rating: 
Summary: Port Royale is a great game!
Review: If you love sailing the high seas, fighting pirates, finding treasure, and adventuring (at your own pace), then you'll love this game.
Rating:
Summary: good game if you are into sailing the seas
Review: its like an updated version of pirates
i did have a lil trouble getting into the game do to my graphics card, but now its up and running great. online support is not worth a hoot, so if you are having any trouble you have to do the research on how to fix the problem yourself.
but the game itself is well worth the purchase.
its definately a time consuming game, and takes a while to build up your money. but once you have the money then the rest is all down hill. merchants, pirates, and high seas treasure hunting.
Rating:
Summary: good game if you are into sailing the seas
Review: its like an updated version of pirates
i did have a lil trouble getting into the game do to my graphics card, but now its up and running great. online support is not worth a hoot, so if you are having any trouble you have to do the research on how to fix the problem yourself.
but the game itself is well worth the purchase.
its definately a time consuming game, and takes a while to build up your money. but once you have the money then the rest is all down hill. merchants, pirates, and high seas treasure hunting.
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