Swashbucklers: Blue vs. Grey

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Nov 20, 2007
Metascore
45

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 11 out of 16
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  1. Cheat Code Central
    64
    While the RPG and action elements aren't exactly balanced equally, this game may be most appealing to RPG fans who like a bit of excitement in their role-playing experience.
  2. GameZone
    64
    Swashbucklers: Blue vs. Grey is a strange little game that isn’t terrible by any means, but it’s not really very good, either. While I could definitely see the game developing a (tiny) cult following, every interesting element in the game is balanced out by something bad.
  3. GamesRadar+
    60
    We liked the setting, liked the gameplay but ultimately there wasn't enough to keep it in our console for a very long time.
  5. GamerNode
    55
    Swashbucklers is a mix of "Pirates!" and "Way of the Samurai," but doesn't quite reach the level of either. It will be a great game for a small number of gamers, but for the rest it's a rental at best.
  6. GameSpot
    50
    An inferior copy of a classic, Swashbucklers isn't worth your time.
  7. Game Chronicles
    45
    A decent game. It has several features and modes that I enjoyed. I particularly liked the soundtrack and the sound effects. I did like the Shipyard the most out of the entire game. Sadly the voice acting could have be a LOT better.
  8. PSX Extreme
    44
    No one element is good and the final product is a mish-mash of half-realized concepts and ideas. It's too bad, really.
  9. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    40
    Overall, we recommend passing on this pirating adventure. [Jan 2008, p.84]
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  10. Armchair Empire
    40
    It's priced as a budget title, but unless you're a big fan of pirates, there's not a lot here for the average gamer.
  11. GamingExcellence
    40
    Swashbucklers is a value title with very little value in it.
  12. Digital Entertainment News
    40
    This just doesn't cut it. There was some potential, and looking at pirates outside of the frilly shirt and rapier era is a good idea. Swashbucklers was executed so poorly it may scare other developers off the concept.
  13. Worth Playing
    40
    It was an incredible concept that intrigued me to no end, but the finished product leaves so much to be desired. Between the lackluster story, the poor presentation and the boring gameplay, Swashbucklers leaves you feeling cheated.
  14. GotNext
    40
    For most gamers, the clunky ship battles, shallow combat and overall lack of cohesive adventure will have you looking elsewhere rather quickly.
  15. IGN
    40
    You should probably avoid Swashbucklers: Blue vs. Grey even if you're obsessed with pirates -- it's just not a well-made game.
  16. Game Revolution
    33
    At best, Swashbucklers might garner your attention on a beer-and-pretzels level. Its presentation leaves a lot to be desired, but even with the current swell of pirate media, there still aren’t so many games catering to the pirate-jonesing.
  17. Gaming Target
    25
    From its recycled characters at each port to its recycled gameplay every couple of minutes, I’d suggest you read a book about the Civil War rather play this game.

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2007
44
#44 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 3 out of 7
  1. Zailer
    Jul 27, 2021
    8
    Since there are no positive reviews, I will write one.

    I've played this one on PS 2 more than 10 years ago, yet I still remember this game    Since there are no positive reviews, I will write one.

    I've played this one on PS 2 more than 10 years ago, yet I still remember this game fondly.
    Pros:
    - Great naval combats, the noise of the cannonballs, bullets, steam engines, splinters flying off the hostile ships, explosions - a great naval experience.
    - Good third action, where you can chop arms off and shot heads off your enemies.
    - A great variety of ships, cannons, machine guns, rifles, and revolvers - really impressive for such a low-budget game.
    Cons:
    - A dumb story system - the game doesn't give you any hints when the next story mission is available.
    - An atrocious liability to fight hostile ships to get into most of the cities - this one is horribly juxtaposed with the previous con.    … Full Review »
  2. aspentitan
    Oct 21, 2020
    4
    Had this game not been rated M (Mature) and instead T (Teen) I would have considered raising the rating to between 5-6/10. There's not muchHad this game not been rated M (Mature) and instead T (Teen) I would have considered raising the rating to between 5-6/10. There's not much good to say about this game other than it can be played. You start off loading the game and being treated to this kind of voice acting: wha where wa way an nie a good a goop. Blah ha bing cha an we nuble fee. Wha nook? Seriously a game made in 2007 by Atari with no voicing? Pretty much the gameplay is the same. It's an rpg which essentially requires two buttons just hit that square button to attack. Thankfully you are given a tutorial for it too. Once you get fully into the game you can hit the high seas and upgrade your pirate boat. The combat there is just as advanced, steer your ship and hit the buttons. Once you board the other pirate ship you clear out the enemy with your tutorial attack skills. The end of game appears at some point. I'm not sure what happened with this game it must have started somewhere, maybe as a training project for some noob software developers but this game is embarrassing. Again given the lack of complexity I'd be ok with this being a teen game at most but considering it's rated mature for 17+ if you can't pick a better or more challenging game than this I think something's wrong. At the end of the day I say the only fitting place for this game is on the gift list of someone looking for a game so bad it's good. I'd suggest gifting this to a friend as a gag gift pairing it with a 99 cent iTunes gift card with the intended purchase of bird is the word, and maybe a bottle of beer beer to enhance the day.… Full Review »
  3. DannAustin
    Mar 5, 2008
    2
    Hands down one of the worst games I've played on the PS2. It's just so ... cheap. Besides ripping off Sid Meier, the game suffersHands down one of the worst games I've played on the PS2. It's just so ... cheap. Besides ripping off Sid Meier, the game suffers from not providing enough direction as to what you're supposed to do, cheap CGI scenes, boring music and, the most annoying thing, NPC's that talk like adults in a Charlie Brown Christmas special. If you don't want to have spoken dialogue, don't have them make any noise. That simple. The only redeeming thing about the game is that the combat system isn't horrendous, but it's not good enough to want you to keep playing.… Full Review »
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