| Port Royale 2 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Ascaron Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Take-Two Interactive Tri-Synergy (NA) |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Business simulation game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) |
|
Port Royale 2 is the sequel to the business simulation game Port Royale: Gold, Power and Pirates. It is set in the Caribbean during the 16th and 17th centuries. Created by Ascaron Entertainment in 2004, it combines a business simulator with real-time battles and towns that can be owned, built, developed or razed.
On 2. August 2011 the publisher Kalypso Media who purchased many of the licenses and assets from Ascaron Entertainment during its insolvency, announced that they had acquired the licences of the Port Royale installment. They also announced that they are already working on the third title, which is named "Port Royale 3", and that it will be released for both the PC and consoles – without mentioning which consoles were meant. Port Royal3 3 is planned to be released in the second quarter of 2012. Kalypso Media also demonstrated Port Royale 3 with a playable preview during the Gamescom trade fair which was held from 17 to 21 August 2011 in Cologne, Germany.
Contents |
Port Royale 2 is an open-ended game, so the player can choose to pursue any career they wish. This could range from a business tycoon to a pirate. Initially, you must trade goods between Caribbean colonies to make money, but over the long term you can have substantial business interests in many Caribbean ports, and support large fighting fleets.
As a business tycoon, you trade with towns to gain their friendship, and can then buy building permits to establish businesses there. Ultimately, you can even come to have your own town, but this can take a very long time.
As a buccaneer (with a Letter of Marque), you can attack any of the four colonial nations in the Caribbean circa 1600; from largest to smallest: Spain, England, France, and Dutch. If you have not acquired a Letter of Marque, every nation will see you as an enemy - you are a pirate.
Ships in this game range from a small Pinnace to a massive Ship of the Line. There are also missions you can complete for money, supplies, or improved relations. At higher levels you can also automate the game to some degree, by setting up trade routes that your trading fleets will follow from town to town.
True to history, home-country politics are fickle and impact the game: One year you might choose to be loyal to Spain and fight England - but a year later, might join the Dutch in their fight against the French.
Famous pirates of the age also make appearances. These sea wolves are likely to attack any ship or town that they please, including those that belong to the player. They usually operate from heavily fortified bases, but if you defeat them, you'll gain favor with any nation you choose.
Initially, you have operating constraints (how many fleets you may have and how many towns you can buy building permits in), but as you gain levels (based on net worth), you can have unlimited fleets and permits.
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 74.41%[1] (based on 22 reviews) |
| Metacritic | 75%[2] (based on 20 reviews) |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| 1UP.com | B-[3] |
| GameSpy | [4] |
| IGN | 7.5/10[5] |
| PC Format | 71%[6] |
| PC Gamer UK | 69%[7] |
The game received generally good reviews.
The developer, Ascaron Entertainment has gone bankrupt. Its website is closed, and PR2 must be bought through third parties. The final(?) patch (1.1.3.2, in the lower left of the home screen) can be found around the web. The title was acquired by Kalypso Media which founded Gaming Minds Studios from former Ascaron developers.[8]