Port Royale 3: Pirates and Merchants

 PC
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 17
  3. Negative: 5 out of 17
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Eurogamer Italy
    Oct 3, 2012
    70
    With the goal of approaching the console market, Port Royale 3 has simplified too many of its mechanics, resulting in a step back in the strategy genre.
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jul 29, 2012
    70
    New installment of the popular series failed to bring anything new, compared to the older titles it became lot easier with some pretty annoying controls. [July 2012]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Eurogamer Germany
    May 8, 2012
    70
    Port Royale 3 feels bound by the traditions of this time-proven series and gets all the basics right. However, it never really strays from the path you had imagined it would take, even before you ever played the game.
  5. GameWatcher
    Oct 25, 2012
    65
    Port Royale 3 is not a bad game, not by any means, and I'd say on the whole it does a better job of things than Patrician IV did – it's still not fantastic though. Definitely one to pick up cheap if you can find it, but still worth picking up all the same.
  6. SpazioGames
    Oct 12, 2012
    65
    Port Royale 3 has a major flaw to bring everything at once, leaving after 7-8 hours of gaming on a repetitive scale and marked with a pattern of gameplay that's no longer able to offer real surprises.
  7. CD-Action
    Jun 6, 2012
    65
    Well-thought-out, transparent gameplay rules make Port Royale 3 a title that can keep you entertained for hours. It's a shame that naval battles are so simplified and the story is presented so unattractively. [July 2012, p.76]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Meristation
    Sep 12, 2012
    55
    Port Royale 3: Pirates and Traders is a crucial game for those who remember the series with special affection, as it offers them the chance to relive that experience but modernized. It is also a nice choice for those who profess a true fanaticism for almost any business management game. Otherwise, the third installment of the saga begun by Ascaron Entertainment could defraud more than one. The recovery of Patrician IV resulted in a moderate success, but it seems that Port Royale targets to a different fate.
  9. Vandal
    Sep 13, 2012
    50
    It's been a while since the first games of the series were released, but Port Royale 3 has not improved vastly or learned from previous mistakes. In fact, the game has some serious issues that prevent it from becoming a good episode. Behind its terrible UI and its lack of dynamism you still may find many possibilities.
  10. GameSpot
    May 14, 2012
    50
    There's plenty to do in Port Royale 3, but little of it is fun.

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Most Shared PC Game of 2012

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 73 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 73
  3. Negative: 20 out of 73
  1. Hexteque
    May 7, 2012
    5
    This game has a lot of potential-- and for about 10 hours it's a lot of fun. However, you start to run into disheartening shortfalls (can'tThis game has a lot of potential-- and for about 10 hours it's a lot of fun. However, you start to run into disheartening shortfalls (can't defend towns, clunky combat, tedious micromanagement to get around simple flaws) and you have to cut your losses and stop playing. I played for 15 hours before realizing my experience had peaked. There is a lot of potential if only the developers had been given a month or two to finish smoothing out the rough spots. Maybe an expansion pack will clear up these issues?… Full Review »
  2. Reod
    May 6, 2012
    4
    Game would have good review from me even its simpler than Port Royale 1-2 if not gamebreaking lack of town defense.Thats right you cant defendGame would have good review from me even its simpler than Port Royale 1-2 if not gamebreaking lack of town defense.Thats right you cant defend your own towns even you have HUGE own fleet insde ... tiny hostile fleet will go inside and just take it. This is the point i said (insert long line with random insults). Its not bug just game lack of mechanics to defend towns...I mean really did they release not beta but alpha game??… Full Review »
  3. FrostNads
    May 23, 2012
    1
    If you ever played Port Royale 2 (PR2), you will find the 3rd installment stripped most of the best parts of PR2 from PR3. Artifacts, swordIf you ever played Port Royale 2 (PR2), you will find the 3rd installment stripped most of the best parts of PR2 from PR3. Artifacts, sword fighting, special finds (steam powered sailing ship), loan sharks, character avatars, even the wealth of flags and the option to import your own flag, are all gone. You can't even defend towns you conquer, even with a huge fleet and crew in town. See Kalypso forum entry: http://forum.kalypsomedia.com/showthread.php?tid=14838 There is not even a paper or down loadable map that comes with the US game version, only the German release. Kalypso rudely REFUSED to add one in their forum post, and basically told players to make their own. So many bugs! All of which could have easily been beta tester identified, and corrected prior to release. This game honestly feels like it is still in Alpha! Today's game developer mentality of Release Now, and then try to patch fix lazy programming is inexcusable and a Pre-order ripoff.

    Keep the new graphics upgrades and give me More options, not Less than the last game in the series! Building wealth is so tedious, it hurts to play. Trade, Trade, Trade, Trade, small amounts for hours trying to acquire enough revenue to buy and outfit a fleet, that will end up half in ruins if you attempt to manually fight a sea battle. Mechanics are very poor. I was really looking forward to the PR3 release after reading so many deeply positive pre-reviews. This was one of the few times I have ever pre-ordered a game, and the taste of bile at wasting my money doesn't seem to be fading. Sad release Kalypso. Makes me sick.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »