The trick is that each city can only produce 7 things, so you’ll need to procure yourself some building permits to build in your neighboring cities. Some folks like the rum to flow, while others really like the finer things in life like nice clothes and expensive furniture. Much like at home, keeping the citizens of each city happy takes a lot of careful consideration and a few compromises, neither of which are my speciality, but it was fun trying.
Port Royale 4 may not be the most in-depth city builder, but with fifty different buildings to choose from, including 25 production sites to keep the goods flowing, it was overwhelming for me at first. Whether you’re producing rum, sugar, hemp, fine clothes, furniture, or any number of the available goods, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. From here, you can monitor the currents, and keep your fleet from storms or pirates, or zoom in close and watch people walking around the cities while monitoring the production of some of the many goods each city can produce. Zoom out to see the ships sailing to any of the sixty or so cities. And let’s be honest, this is as close as most of us are going to get to the Caribbean any time soon. You can zoom in and out the world with ease and it’s beautiful to see from any angle. Speaking of beauty, the massive 3D world of Port Royale 4 is gorgeous.
#Port royale 4 gameplay free
After playing the campaign for hours, I can see the beauty and potential of the free play mode. The occasional hand-holding and constant objectives keep you moving (mostly) in the right direction. To that point, the campaign, which can be finished in 10 to 20 hours for experienced players, is a great way for beginners to get into the game. Thankfully, there are a ton of in-depth tutorials that will get you into the minutia of trade routes, buying and selling goods, managing the ocean currents and fighting at sea, etc. And speaking as a newcomer to the genre, there is a fairly steep learning curve to Port Royale 4. I hope that my ignorance gives me a unique perspective on the game, especially for other gamers who may be new to the genre but interested in checking it out.
#Port royale 4 gameplay simulator
In fact, I have very little experience with the city builder/economy simulator genre. I need to say upfront that I have never played any of the installments in the Port Royale franchise. The free mode offers an impossible to explain the amount of customization that allows fans of the genre to get deep into the weeds of colonial trade in the Caribbean sea.
#Port royale 4 gameplay series
You can play a campaign mode for any or each of the colonial nations that I mentioned or dive into the series favorite free mode. Only Spain is available in the beta, so that’s what I’ll focus on. Each of them will provide different benefits (and downsides) that will keep each playthrough unique. In the final release of the game, you’ll be able to choose from Spain, England, France, and the Netherlands. If you’re not already a fan of the series or not familiar with what it’s about, it’s basically a 17th-century economy simulator with in-depth city building and turn-based naval battles. Licenses, building permits, new buildings and ships can be unlocked by growing your reputation within your nation.Had the privilege of checking out a beta release of the anticipated return of the Port Royale series, Port Royale 4. Select from 50 buildings, including 25 production sites, to produce goods like rum or luxuries.Ĭonstruct town buildings with neighborhood effects to optimize productivity and manage the overall happiness of your citizens.ġ8 historically authentic ship types from the late 16th and 17th centuriesĮngage in tactical, turn-based naval battles with powerful captains. Steer clear of cliffs, shallow waters and stormy weather regions to optimize your trade routes.
Take on four extensive single player campaigns following each nation on their path to supremacy.Įstablish and manage trade with 60 Caribbean cities in a huge 3D game world. In ‘Port Royale 4’ you will take control of a colony as a young and ambitious governor who is eager to learn what it takes to manage and grow his small settlement into a bustling trader city.Ĭhoose from four colonial powerhouses: England, France, Spain and the Netherlands, each providing different benefits and unique gameplay styleĪppoint a leader for your adventure from four different character classes: the Explorer, the Merchant, the Buccaneer and the Pirate – each providing their own advantages and disadvantages Set sail and join the colonial powers of Spain, England, France and the Netherlands in their fight for supremacy of the Caribbean in the 17th century. The Extended Edition includes 4 pompous lighthouses and the blueprints to 5 magnificent parks with varying types of sculptures.