Tradewinds 2 Review

Tradewinds 2 is a simulation game which has you plying the waters of the Caribbean as a ship captain in the 18th century. Earn precious gold as you trade goods, battle broadside against pirates, and perform various tasks for the different port governors. It is incredibly easy to be up and sailing around in minutes with the simple interface and easy to use controls, pretty much everything can be controlled with just a click of the mouse.

Play as Different Captains With Different Strengths

What is really interesting are the different captains you can choose from, each with their own strengths and stories. You can be the easy-going Russel Van Gregor who is everyone's friend at any alehouse, or Ignacio Verdugo who is bent on finding the pirate who murdered his father so many years ago. It is quite interesting how the missions differ slightly between captains and how each character's story unfolds as you unlock more ports and meet new governors.

Good Economic System to Profit In

Besides performing the varied governor's missions to earn some extra gold, there are plenty of different goods which you can fill your cargo hold with to take advantage of the fluctuating market demands at each port. Learning the inside information at alehouses on when you can get cotton for cheap at one port can mean quite a hefty sum if you can find another port that is in need. The economic system provides a bit of a challenge in keeping track of all the different market prices and keeps things interesting.

Basic Combat

While you are sailing around on missions, or for your own personal gain, you are sure to run into your fair share of pirates. The combat system is rather simplified with most actions being automated, you simply click on an enemy ship and your cannons will start firing. This may not seem that interesting for some, but figuring out which ship to fire upon and when to deploy special ammo that does extra damage or strikes all enemy ships can be intriguing.

Not a Complex Trading or Combat Sim

The only problem with Tradewinds 2 is that in some cases the simulation is almost too simple and lacks a bit of the depth and complexity of other titles. The combat isn't really all that difficult and overall the game doesn't provide that much of a challenge as well. While this does make this a good game for casual players or those new to the genre, it may turn off some of the more experienced players.

Conclusion - The Basic Game is Fun and Addicting

Overall, Tradewinds 2 provides a decent simulation experience that is easy to get into and start playing. The variety of ships and goods to trade give you plenty of options as you work your way up to become the best trader and ship captain ever to sail the seas. While there are some issues which may not be to every player's liking, the core gameplay is quite fun and addictive. With the hour demo it is quite easy to get a taste of the core gameplay elements and see if this game is to your liking.