Pirates of the Burning Sea

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 64
  3. Negative: 11 out of 64
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  1. TheEarthDragon
    Jan 25, 2013
    8
    Far better game then many of these reviews suggest. One of the very few games where you can run start to run an extremely successful business just a few hours in. Very good job Flying Labs. Swordplay needed some work and there should have been more bonuses for being one of the few utilizing obscure ports, giving them actual value.
  2. vad
    Oct 18, 2013
    10
    great game. great economy. interesting tactical battles. poor advertisement for the game. lack of motivation for RvR. Patches are constantly changing balance and ease-game. different mix PvP RvR
  3. EricT,
    Jan 30, 2008
    9
    This game is addicting. Whether you wish to play the market, decimate enemy ships, or duel enemy captains, you'll find enjoyment in the game's mechanics. It delivers a unique experience every time. It doesn't matter if you have 15 minutes or 5 hours to play, you can log in and get something done. The game play is excellent, but the UI could use some work- it's large This game is addicting. Whether you wish to play the market, decimate enemy ships, or duel enemy captains, you'll find enjoyment in the game's mechanics. It delivers a unique experience every time. It doesn't matter if you have 15 minutes or 5 hours to play, you can log in and get something done. The game play is excellent, but the UI could use some work- it's large and cumbersome. Overall, I would highly recommend this game to anyone who may be interested in buying it in the future.… Expand
  4. chada
    Jan 19, 2010
    8
    Lacks the proverbial "carrot on a stick" people have come to expect from MMO's.. if you are the type that likes to hunt for the EPIC LOOTZ this is not the game for you. PVE is average at best, and the player driven economy is deep, if held back by low server populations. I have been playing this game for almost 3 years now, and pvp still gives me a rush like nothing else i have found Lacks the proverbial "carrot on a stick" people have come to expect from MMO's.. if you are the type that likes to hunt for the EPIC LOOTZ this is not the game for you. PVE is average at best, and the player driven economy is deep, if held back by low server populations. I have been playing this game for almost 3 years now, and pvp still gives me a rush like nothing else i have found in gaming. If you have the patience for a learning curve, are a risk taking adrenaline junky and like the idea of naval combat in the age of sail you have GOT to try this game. A niche game, to be sure, but the pvp combat is unrivaled..… Expand
  5. CaptainP
    Mar 22, 2008
    10
    I'm at level 35, French Navy. So far I love the game. The ship combat is a blast. The ships are more and more powerful as I level. The graphics are fantastically beautiful. The missions are well written and engagine - particularly the career story arch missions. When I play this game, I feel like I"m on vacation in the sunny Caribbean with beautiful skies and sun on my face. Love it.
  6. JonC
    Jan 17, 2009
    9
    A really fantastic game which has improved by a vast amount since its release. I've been playing for months and it really is great, if somewhat confusing when you start out.
  7. christophed
    Jan 27, 2009
    9
    Good game but the players make the economy in the game,need more players on the servers and this game is great
  8. TrevM
    Dec 23, 2009
    9
    I have been playing this game for two years and am hooked. As one of the biggest and most experienced PvPers in the game, I can tell you tyhat this is the best MMO i have ever played, with a fantastic PvP Risk vs Reward system. Only downside is a fairly low population. Help fix that problem! Trev Macer, Blackbeard british
  9. CurtC.
    Jan 22, 2008
    9
    I have put about 10 hours into "Pirates" so far and must say there is an enormous amount of potential for this game. The visuals are very nice with ship to ship combat looking great and character models all looking very sharp. So it's pretty to look at but how does it play? So far I am impressed with the sheer depth of this title. Whether you want to sail the seas and look for I have put about 10 hours into "Pirates" so far and must say there is an enormous amount of potential for this game. The visuals are very nice with ship to ship combat looking great and character models all looking very sharp. So it's pretty to look at but how does it play? So far I am impressed with the sheer depth of this title. Whether you want to sail the seas and look for plunder, swordfight with your rivals, or dig deep into the production and trade elements youy'll find something interesting to do. It may not be a WoW killer, but so far it looks like a winner!… Expand
  10. MattG
    Oct 31, 2009
    9
    This game is truly addicting. I've played it since beta, and it is now a year and a half later. I've gotten bored with it and tried to quit to play other games, and it always sucks me back in. It can be difficult to get pvp sometimes, but when you get a big 6v6 ship battle, or especially a massive 24v24 pvp port battle to take an enemy town, it's a huge rush. It's got This game is truly addicting. I've played it since beta, and it is now a year and a half later. I've gotten bored with it and tried to quit to play other games, and it always sucks me back in. It can be difficult to get pvp sometimes, but when you get a big 6v6 ship battle, or especially a massive 24v24 pvp port battle to take an enemy town, it's a huge rush. It's got everything. For the pve player, it's got endless missions, a complex player based economy, and over a hundred ports to sail too. For the pvper, it's got Port Conquest, nation v nation RvR with 4 nations, 5 different pvp viable careers, and epic battles with a beautiful ship combat system. I DEFINITELY recommend… Expand
  11. [Anonymous]
    Jan 25, 2008
    9
    At first this game seemed like "Generic MMO 2.0... Now with Pirates!" After playing it for a few weeks, however, I find that I'm really enjoying it. In fact, the more I play the better it gets. The combat is interesting, the economy is engaging and the grind is barely noticeable. If you decide to try this game out, stick with it through the difficult learning curve and you'll At first this game seemed like "Generic MMO 2.0... Now with Pirates!" After playing it for a few weeks, however, I find that I'm really enjoying it. In fact, the more I play the better it gets. The combat is interesting, the economy is engaging and the grind is barely noticeable. If you decide to try this game out, stick with it through the difficult learning curve and you'll bee well rewarded.… Expand
  12. JeffA.
    Jan 31, 2008
    9
    I think the core of the game is very solid, and it's got a lot of potential which will be realized by dedicated and active development and community relations teams. It learns from both the strengths and weaknesses of games which have come before, and applies its own flavor and feel to it all.
  13. DavidBass
    Feb 5, 2008
    9
    One of the most original games I've played in quite a long time. The development team is very involved with the community, and is quick to respond to any issues you may find. Whether you prefer PvP, Economy, or just a fun storyline, PotBS has it all. I see a very bright future for this game.
  14. BrianR.
    Jan 22, 2008
    8
    A really interesting mix of Eve Online's strategic overtones and Sid Meier's Pirates! - but in both cases simplified and made more MMO friendly. Not too friendly! There's enough realism and short-handed realism that you can get immersed in tall ship battles or a rich and complex economic game (crafting is utterly simple, this is no SWG, but figuring out why to craft and how A really interesting mix of Eve Online's strategic overtones and Sid Meier's Pirates! - but in both cases simplified and made more MMO friendly. Not too friendly! There's enough realism and short-handed realism that you can get immersed in tall ship battles or a rich and complex economic game (crafting is utterly simple, this is no SWG, but figuring out why to craft and how to profit from it, or whether to forgo crafting and specialize in "freetrading" between ports is the key here). As far as atmospherics go, you know where you are from the minute you step out of the tutorial. Colonial ports, scummy pirate dens - and a rather elaborate visual character designer (think CoH/CoV) helps you fit right in or stand right out as you please. I haven't had firsthand experience with the strategic game yet as it's just going live today but I'm having fun with the PvE missions, the roleplaying and the ship battles. Can't wait to see the economy and the PvP game fired up too. This is definitely aimed at an older crowd with functioning attention spans.… Expand
  15. TimothyT.
    Jan 24, 2008
    9
    Different than your standard MMO, but a lot of fun. RvR pvp is great. 100% player driven economy. Great potential for the future.

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best PC Game of 2008
51
#51 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
73
#73 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. Multiplayer.it
    Mar 9, 2011
    78
    Learning to play may take too long, but sea-battles are really exciting and the setting is more than catching.
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  2. GameDaily
    80
    With plenty to do and gorgeous visuals, Pirates of the Burning Sea is a quality MMO no one should miss.
    Read full review
  3. Game Revolution
    75
    A unique hybrid of plundered gameplay elements. It doesn't manage to actually improve upon its MMORPG parents, but if you've become tired of space lasers or elf wizards, Burning Sea is easily the most interesting new game in town. In the long run, it will be the complex economy and the faction warfare that will determine the success of this ocean venture.
    Read full review
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