Choice of Broadsides

About

"Choice of Broadsides" is a free, text-based game that puts you in the role of a captain in the age of sail. Navigate treacherous political waters and engage in thrilling naval battles, reminiscent of the Hornblower or Aubrey/Maturin series, with a touch of Jane Austen's wit. Your choices will determine your success on the high seas and the fate of your ship and crew.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

emotional2 positive mentions

replayability1 negative mentions

The naval terminology used in the game is consistent and realistic, enhancing the immersion.
The game offers some interesting scenarios and choices that can lead to serious consequences, adding depth to the gameplay.
It's a quick read that can be enjoyable for fans of period literature and those looking for a light, entertaining experience.

The game is extremely short, with only 60,000 words, leading to limited engagement and replayability.
Character development is lacking, with minor characters often feeling underdeveloped and quickly disposed of.
The pacing is inconsistent, with abrupt time jumps and a lack of resolution in the story, making it hard to get invested.

story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
19%
The story is decently told but lacks depth and resolution, feeling abruptly unfinished despite a few impactful choices, particularly regarding the character Villeneuve. With a short narrative of only 60,000 words, the pacing is fast, leaving players feeling thrown into the middle of events without sufficient context to fully engage. While it may appeal to those focused on the story, players seeking more choice and depth may find it lacking.
- “Those that might want more choice will find this lacking, but for those who are more along for the story, it's decently told.”
- “There are a couple of choices that can influence larger things and make them stick, most notably regarding your relationship with the rival officer Villeneuve, inarguably the most fleshed-out recurring character in the story.”
- “A really short game, but to be expected from a story with only 60,000 words.”
- “Unfortunately, the story lacks depth.”
- “It feels like the book was suddenly abandoned in the middle of the story.”
- “There's essentially one 'major' story point which has no real 'resolution' to the events it should trigger.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game features an intriguing concept and setting, but players find it to be very short, resulting in minimal replayability.
- “Interesting idea and time period, but the game is extremely brief and has very limited replayability.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of meaningful romance, featuring only one significant option that leads to an unsatisfactory outcome, alongside three poorly developed romantic subplots that fail to resonate emotionally or impact the gameplay.