The game is a good one. The graphics are good and the gameplay is better. Sound is not out of place and in addition to this being a good game to play it has bits of history built in. There is a character you can talk to that gives you much information about events that really happened during this period in American history.

The game starts you out with one ship and some gold. The economy is dynamic based on supply and demand, making it a game for a trading-game enthusiasts looking for a challenge. It also seeks to keep you involved in the money-making process. While you can have automatic trade routes it still pays to do some trading yourself. In addition to that, you can build your own buildings, if you have a permit to build in the town, and produce goods yourself. Naturally, with this comes having to pay wages. However, you can somewhat balance that out by building houses and charging rent to your workers, but if you sell the goods you produce at the right place you will make money.

The battles are very challenging for one simple reason. You can have large and powerful fleets, but you can only control one ship at a time. This is almost not fair as your enemies will have all their warships attacking you at the same time. While that is complicated it should appeal to people who love a challenge because it certainly is just that, a challenge.

There is realism thrown into battle as well. if your ships are smaller and have less that goes under water they will be faster over rocks and near the shore, while large ships with more of the ship under the water will be much slower above rocks and near the shore. Wind direction also affects speed and aim. For example if the wind is blowing south ships sailing south will be faster while ships heading north will be slower.

The various missions also present a challenge, for they will inevitably force you into the war between the nations (Spain, Holland, England, and France). My advice to you all is to trade and get your wealth up high before joining the war. Even if your nation is at war with another and you have done nothing to anger the enemy you may still trade with them. For example, my nation (Holland) was at war with England. I had not attacked England and as such I could dock at their ports and trade with them. Also other nations may have ships for sale that are better than the ships of your nation.

There are many events that affect the game. Storms come to the seas, towns are attacked, pirates roam the seas and establish bases, and nations deceive one another.

On the brighter side you can search for treasure or the famous Spanish Treasure fleet and loot them.

All in all, it is a good game. There is some room for improvement, but if you like trading games or like games from this era in history than this game is worth a try.