Sea Dogs (video game)
| Sea Dogs (video game) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Akella |
| Publisher(s) | Bethesda Softworks |
| Series | Age of Pirates |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing video game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Distribution | 1 CD-ROM |
Sea Dogs: An Epic Adventure at Sea (original: Корсары: Проклятие дальних морей) is a 2000 Russian role-playing video game for Windows developed by Akella and published by Bethesda Softworks. In it, the player is the captain of a ship and can serve as a privateer to a European power, or as a pirate. The game uses a custom 3D game engine and includes gameplay similar to Sid Meier's Pirates!, while also being a true inter-character dialog-centered RPG. The sequel, Sea Dogs II, was remade into Pirates of the Caribbean, but largely unrelated to the plot elements of the eponymous film.
Akella later created Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales, the sequel to Sea Dogs. The title was changed because Akella wanted to create a brand name that they could control, rather than their publisher. A new fan-based title from Akella's pirate series called Sea Dogs: Return Of The Legend is available only in Russia and the CIS.
Universe
The entire game takes place in a fictional archipelago, yet it is mentioned a number of times that it is in the Caribbean. French, British and Spanish colonies are present there, as well as fortified pirate hideouts.
Plot summary
The player's character, Nicholas, was raised by his mother since he was a child. The only memories left of his father are his departure on a ship, as well as a golden medallion he gave him. Nicholas grows, and as his father did before, goes to sea to seek adventures. Soon, he is captured by the Spanish, but manages to escape with a small ship and a crew. He arrives at the central British colony, where he has to start a new life.
Since the game is nonlinear, the player may work for any of the three nations, as well as start a pirate's career. Searching for his father is always possible, but in order to succeed, the player will need to change his ship's flags a number of times. This quest will reveal the secrets of the main character's father's life story and his death, as well as his legacy.
Critical reception
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Sea Dogs was met with positive to average reception upon release, as GameRankings gave it a score of 80.50%,[2] while Metacritic gave it 71 out of 100.[3] IGN was impressed with it, calling it "one booty call you won't want to miss".[9] GameSpot was also positive about the game, saying it's "an adventure that can be enthralling despite its many problems".[7]
References
- ↑ "Sea Dogs Release Information for PC". GameFAQs. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Sea Dogs for PC". GameRankings. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Sea Dogs for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ↑ Kazhdan, Alex. "Sea Dogs - Review". Allgame. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ↑ "REVIEW for Sea Dogs". GameFan. December 30, 2000.
- ↑ "Sea Dogs". Game Informer (95). March 2001.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Dulin, Ron (December 11, 2000). "Sea Dogs Review". GameSpot. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ↑ McConnaughy, Tim (January 2, 2001). "Sea Dogs". GameSpy. Archived from the original on February 23, 2005. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Steinberg, Scott (November 30, 2000). "Sea Dogs". IGN. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ↑ Muir, Ian (July 2001). "Sea Dogs". PC Gamer: 70. Archived from the original on September 11, 2005. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ↑ Anderson, Chris (2001). "PC Review: Sea Dogs". PC Zone. Archived from the original on June 24, 2007. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ↑ Roberts, Josh (February 3, 2001). "Sea Dogs Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on April 17, 2001. Retrieved July 6, 2014.