When I first heard of Sid Meier’s Pirates! I judged it far too harshly. I already knew of games like Alpha Centauri and Civilization, both brilliant strategy titles in their own right, but not what I was looking for at the time. I also wasn’t aware of the game’s long history—originally released back in 1987 on the Commodore 64 and later ported to systems like the Amiga and the Sega Mega Drive. Because of that, I passed over the remake when it first appeared. If only I’d known what I was missing!
The 2004 remake, developed by Firaxis and published by 2K Games, takes the spirit of the original and updates it for a new era. The result is a swashbuckling sandbox that is still one of the most fun and free-form pirate games around.
Living the Pirate Life
You take on the role of a generically square-jawed, dashing adventurer-turned-pirate, setting out to find your long-lost family, amass riches, and maybe win the hearts of a few governor’s daughters along the way.
The game is built around a series of mini-games stitched together into one free-roaming Caribbean adventure. You’re given a map of the 17th-century Caribbean, filled with towns, trade routes, and rival ships to chase down.
Your crew is your lifeblood—keep them fed, keep them rich, and they’ll stay loyal. Neglect them, and you risk mutiny. Thankfully, gold flows easily enough when you’re raiding merchant vessels, sacking towns, or accepting missions from local governors.
The political landscape adds another layer. The Caribbean is divided among four main colonial powers—Spain, England, France, and the Netherlands. Attack one too often and you’ll be barred from their ports, but strike their rivals and suddenly you’re a celebrated privateer with titles, land, and even noble marriages on offer.
Combat and Duels
Ship-to-ship combat is straightforward but satisfying. You’ll need to pick the right type of cannon shot, account for wind direction, and angle your vessel just right to unleash a broadside. Or, if you prefer a more personal touch, you can ram and board the enemy, leading to a one-on-one duel with their captain. These sword fights are simple but full of flair, and winning often means you get to claim their ship for your fleet.
And then there’s the dancing. Yes, really. Wooing a governor’s daughter involves a rhythm-based mini-game, where timing your steps earns her admiration. It’s one of those quirky mechanics that seems silly at first but ends up being strangely charming.
Freedom and Replayability
There isn’t much in the way of a fixed narrative. You do have a nemesis responsible for your family’s betrayal, but chasing him down is more of a long-term goal than a main storyline. Instead, Pirates! thrives on freedom.
You can become a feared pirate, a hunter of rival corsairs, a treasure-seeker, or even dabble as a respectable merchant. The Caribbean is alive with shifting alliances, infamous pirates to track down, legendary treasures to uncover, and countless ships to capture and upgrade.
The only real limitation is time itself. As the years pass, your once-vigorous hero starts to age, slowing down in sword fights and dancing. It adds a bittersweet edge—you can’t keep pirating forever, and eventually you’ll need to retire with whatever legacy you’ve built.
Presentation
Graphically, the 2004 version doesn’t push boundaries. Its cartoony, exaggerated style is a conscious choice, paying homage to the game’s earlier incarnations. The character models, with their oversized features and expressive animations, can feel dated today, but the colorful ships and sun-soaked Caribbean waters hold up surprisingly well. The visual charm lies in consistency—it feels like a storybook world, and once you’re immersed, the graphics become secondary to the adventure.
The sound design does a lot of heavy lifting. Cannon fire booms satisfyingly, swords clash with energy, and most memorably, your crew occasionally breaks into hearty sea shanties. They’re nowhere near as cinematic as Ubisoft’s later Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, but they capture the playful spirit of the game. The soundtrack itself leans into lively, period-inspired tunes that make sailing the seas feel grand.
Final Thoughts
For anyone who missed it the first time around, it’s worth tracking down today. The passing of time hasn’t dulled the fun of this classic—if anything, it’s proof that some adventures are timeless.