Age of Sail II

Age of Sail II (Russian: Век Парусников II) is a 2001 computer wargame developed by Akella. It is the sequel to Age of Sail. It has similar historically accurate game play, and is enhanced with 3D graphics and a free-floating camera. Unlike the original Age of Sail, the sequel's maps are embellished with strategic landmasses. Age of Sail II accurately portrays the mighty fighting ships from 1775 to 1820, and has a realistic combat engine. You can play its campaign which includes a full career ladder, or play one of the 100+ historical scenarios. The game also includes a map editor allowing players to create custom scenarios.

Age of Sail II
Developer(s)Akella
Publisher(s)TalonSoft
Producer(s)Chris Lacey
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
ReleaseJanuary 2001
Genre(s)Computer wargame
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

A stand-alone expansion, titled Age of Sail II: Privateer's Bounty, was released in 2002.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Age of Sail II features a minimap, helm, and lists of vessels in play. The player controls one or more vessels each with a specified number of cannons, health, and sails. There are also controls for speed of the gameplay.

To achieve victory, the player must either cause the enemy ships to surrender, or simply sink them. Damage inflicted on a vessel is determined by the type of shots fired (round, chain, grape, canister), and the target (hull/sail). Each fire also inflicts damage on the ship's crew. Canister shots are made specifically to inflict damage on crew members. The fewer men aboard a ship, the higher chance for the ship to surrender. Speed of activities such as manoeuvring the sails, repairing damage, and cannon reload speed are also affected.

The game was accused by reviewers of the time of having an overcomplicated and sometimes downright broken interface, with unnecessary complication when directing crews to perform the various actions to keep a vessel in operation. The 3-D game engine also came in for criticism, occasionally running as slowly as four frames per second in large fleet actions.[1][2]

Reception

John Lee reviewed the PC version of the game for Next Generation, rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "Young and old salts will find their timbers shivered mightily in this seagoing extravaganza, but landlubbers may flounder."[3]

References
  1. "Age of Sail II - PC Review at IGN". Uk.pc.ign.com. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
  2. Ryan, Michael E. (2001-02-01). "Age of Sail II Review - GameSpot.com". Uk.gamespot.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
  3. Lee, John (May 2001). "Finals". Next Generation. Vol. 4 no. 5. Imagine Media. p. 89.
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