You are one captain, one brig and a rope's worth of luck. Unfurl your sails and read the wind. Choose your path between rival ports on an open Caribbean, sink ships for coin, run cargo for contracts, plunder coastal forts for the treasures they guard and carry the prizes back to port.

Actions have consequences

Every job you take makes a statement. Sink a Navy Frigate and the Brethren raise a glass to your name, but the navy will want you dead, and the very harbors that once welcomed you with open arms will refuse you in the future. There's no neutrality when it comes to the sea.

Sailing that actually sails

Wind direction is a real consideration and your sails are a real choice; run furled, quarter, half or full sail as you feel the pull of the wind and the lean of your ship into the turn.

Combat

Use the ships broad sides to pummel your enemies! Sloops, Brigs, and Galleons all fight differently and with the advantage of speed over you whilst coastal batteries are fixed, but punchier.

A hold you have to pack

It's not just about what you steal, it's about what you carry. Every crate, planks of wood, bolts of fabric and signed contract must fit somewhere in your grid-aligned hold. Loot the wreck and you may well find yourself staring at more plunder than you have room for.

Upgrades

Rigging, Hull, Cannons and Hold each have their own progression. Gold is good, but the shipwright needs materials fit into his workbench, which gets increasingly hard as you climb the ranks.

And much more!

• Three Factions, Navy, Brethren, and Spanish, with reputation gain/loss on every hull delivered.

• Contract boards at every port, hunt for a certain flag in certain waters, deliver cargo from one point to another or simply carry goods on the most profitable route.

• Market, Shipwright and Tavern at every port.

• Coastal forts to breach and plunder.

• Full day/night cycles, periods of fog, and a living sea to sail!

• Fully rebinding controls for keyboard/mouse