If ye be thinkin’ of playing a pyratin’ type game then it’ll do ye no good to sit down at a table to play the dreaded game ‘Dread Pirate’.
I must admit that I have a weakness for pirate games. I think that the theme is simply adorable. To say that I am disappointed in Dread Pirate is a massive understatement.
I will start this review with the positive aspects of the game – the components are very attractive. There you have it – the only positive aspect of the game is its components.
The artwork is attractive and stylized. The box is wooden and solid, with a magnetic lock to stop the box flipping open. The map is printed on cloth. There are good looking golden doubloons and glass jewels. Good quality cloth bags come to hold the jewels. The playing pieces (ships) are made from cast pewter – although, the colours of 3 of the 4 ships are very similar making it difficult to tell them apart, particularly in bad light. The cards are solid and well printed.
The box would look great on your coffee table – I know that it does on mine.
Playing the Game
Like most good pirate games the object is to collect more treasure than anyone else – no problem so far. You gain treasure by fighting other pirates, raiding ports and trading in ports.
Moving – roll the dice – the higher the roll the further you move. The strategy for movement is to roll higher than the other players.
Fighting – roll the dice – if you roll higher than your opponent you win. The strategy for fighting is to roll higher than the other players.
Raiding Ports – you sail into another player’s port and you both roll a die. If the attacker rolls higher than the defender you gain treasure. The strategy for raiding is to roll higher than the other players.
Trading – you sail into another player’s port and you both roll a die. You give a number of jewels equal to your roll to the owner of the port. They give you a number of jewels equal to the number that they roll. The strategy for trading is to roll lower than the other players.
The difficulty I found with choosing between raiding and trading was that I was no good at working out, before I rolled, whether I was going to roll higher or lower than the other guy.
The Bottom Line
It seems to me that the outcome of the game is based solely on the luck factor. You have no decisions to make that will really affect your success in this game. I would get more pleasure from a game of Snakes & Ladders.
If you want a social gathering where you can talk like pirates and make clever conversation around the words “aaarghh”, “ahoy” and “avast” this may have some value – but I think, even in that situation, that the game would still detract from the grogging and conversation.
The game is quite expensive. If you would like to purchase a copy (very cheaply) please contact me. I have one for sale.
Did I tell you that it comes in a very attractive box?
Da Pyrate
“take no prisoners”
Last edited on 2005-10-17 21:53:18 CST (Total Number of Edits: 1)
Posted Thu Jul 28,2005 12:14 am
