If Sailing combat simulation evolves from this then we shall have great Naval and Pirate games. The naval combat is the best to date, a true attempt to make a Sailing Ship Combat simulator. It is a must for true Naval combat and Pirate freaks. I'm not one of those cheap asses who expect to get everything out of the last penny, but i can assure you that for $30 dollars is quite a bargain. Now bear in mind that the learning curve is steep, have some patience, it will pay off, took me about 5 hours or something to know the basic stuff, and +30 to grasp the whole game essence, but once you do you truly beging to understand the game. I have never played neither Sea Dogs, or Pirates of the Caribbean which appear to implement the same game engine, so i took quite some time knowing the ropes of the game, but only to find real satisfaction and enjoyment. You can be a trader, corsair, pirate, etc, you decide you fate. The gameplay of Age of Pirates is what Sid Meier didn't take the least of trouble to make, it is really something truly magnificent since it combines pure Role Playing and Adventure without a linear sequence throughout the game.

I've been longing to experience a game like this ever since i heard that Sid Meier was gonna redo the Classic 'Pirates!', which unfortunately became a total letdown, at least for real Pirate enthusiasts. Here's my review i did on gamespot back in 2006:

The game may have its main flaws as many other games, but nevertheless IMHO is still fun to play: I've bought 'Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales' when it came out in 2006, to my favorable surprise (as a Pirate buff) GOG had recently refurbished it as 'Sea Dogs: Caribbean Tales' making it playable once again allowing to skip the DVD copy protection BS.

Sea dogs to each his own review