eSail Sailing Simulator
- March 26, 2019
- eSail Ltd.
- 4h median play time
Get on SteameSail Sailing Simulator is a realistic sailing simulation game that allows players to sail various boats in different locations around the world. The game features accurate wind and water physics, as well as a day and night cycle and realistic weather conditions. Players can race against AI opponents, complete challenges, or freely explore the open waters at their own pace.
Reviews
- Excellent simulation of sailing mechanics, providing a realistic experience for both beginners and experienced sailors.
- Comprehensive tutorials that effectively teach sailing terminology, techniques, and procedures.
- Active developer support with regular updates and responsiveness to community feedback.
- Graphics are dated and could use significant improvement to enhance immersion.
- Limited to one boat and a small map, which may lead to repetitive gameplay over time.
- Some bugs and glitches present, particularly with controls and certain features, though the developer is actively working on fixes.
- graphics69 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally considered basic and somewhat dated, often compared to titles from the 90s, with many users noting that they lack detail and polish. While some appreciate the simplicity and focus on gameplay mechanics over visuals, others express a desire for significant improvements in graphical fidelity, particularly regarding environmental textures and boat modeling. Overall, the graphics are seen as a secondary concern, with the game's realistic physics and engaging gameplay taking precedence.
“The visuals are stunning, the physics are accurate, and the overall gameplay is smooth and engaging.”
“The graphics, exploration missions, and multiplayer world make for engaging and entertaining gameplay, in addition to the realistic physics of the simulator.”
“While it is not the most beautiful graphics, they are really detailed and honestly I sometimes find myself just looking at the water wondering what it would feel like in real life.”
“The graphics are laughably bad; if you want to learn to sail, save the money and get a boat. This 'tutorial' is a joke and total complete and utter jank, avoid.”
“The water, the land, the boats, etc. look like 15-year-old graphics from PS1 or PS2.”
“Although a nice simulation of the water, the quality of the graphics is primitive by today's standards.”
- gameplay19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its realistic sailing mechanics, engaging physics, and smooth controls, making it an excellent resource for learning about sailing and boat operations. Players appreciate the detailed tutorials and the inclusion of unique features like prop walk and anchoring, which enhance the simulation experience. However, some users note limitations, such as the lack of variety in boats and a less enjoyable experience for those seeking action-oriented gameplay.
“Fun game to play if you’re interested in sailing and definitely helps a lot to learn the mechanics of a sailboat and the physics of how it operates in the water!”
“The visuals are stunning, the physics are accurate, and the overall gameplay is smooth and engaging.”
“Somehow, this humble indie title offers more realism, features, and gameplay options than any other sailing game to date.”
“There is only one boat and the gameplay is not pleasant.”
“Sounds, gameplay and controls are worthless.”
“This is not an action game, you don't get to board other vessels and raid coastal towns and as such, many people may not like it.”
- story17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is primarily centered around navigation and exploration, with players engaging in quests that enhance their sailing experience. While the tutorials provide in-depth knowledge about sailing techniques, the navigation map has limitations that can hinder long-range plotting, though it encourages players to venture out and discover new areas. Overall, the game offers a realistic sailing simulation that combines engaging gameplay with a focus on learning and practicing navigation skills.
“The tutorials are great, but some critical information is sequestered away in the quick start missions - I probably sailed for 20 hours before I tried the quick starts and discovered that I could adjust the jib travelers and the backstay.”
“Esail is so in-depth here – you can select lines and winches, move your crew around, anchor, deploy fenders, moor in marinas, plot your position on the chart down in the cabin.”
“There isn't a steep learning curve and in the live sailing setting you can complete quests to find things.”
“I didn't realize that there was more to the map than what was on the chart, which was cool, in that you had to venture out to find them, but it kinda sucked that you couldn't plot your course for those islands.”
“The navigation map where you plot your own course is a bit lacking at the moment and not really that user-friendly; I would like to see my pencil point coordinates displayed as I move the pencil around to make it easier.”
“There isn't a steep learning curve, and in the live sailing setting, you can complete quests to find things.”
- stability7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many users report it as a solid program with minimal fatal bugs, there are notable issues such as anchoring and point of interest collection that can be frustrating. Some players experience minor glitches that can be resolved quickly, but others find certain features, like live sail and reefing, to be particularly buggy.
“Very good for learning, but infuriatingly buggy.”
“Very sad that the live sail doesn't include the world, and even worse that the point of interest collection is so buggy.”
“Reefing seems buggy.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game is generally well-received, with users noting that it effectively teaches sailing techniques that enhance both safety and performance. While some players are still assessing performance differences in windowed mode, the game's instructional quality is praised for its clarity and practical application.
“It teaches you how to raise and lower your sails, adjust your sails for maximum performance, docking, anchoring, and all the imaginable complexities of a real boat.”
“So far I am very happy with it; the sailing is not only technically correct but clearly written with a qualified skipper, and therefore shows a rusty skipper like myself the latest best practices in sailing for crew safety and performance.”
“I'm using windowed mode for now, but I'm not sure if there's a performance difference yet.”
“In just 30 minutes of playtime, I have genuinely learned new things, and more importantly, things which will increase my crew's safety and performance in the real world.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its dynamic weather and wind variations, which enhance the immersive sailing experience. Players appreciate the quiet ambiance and the richly developed world, suggesting that the atmosphere contributes significantly to the overall enjoyment and potential of the game.
“It has a great world with character and atmosphere, and if it continues to develop as it has been, then it’s really going places.”
“It's a very quiet atmosphere in the game.”
“What I like a lot is that apart from the sailing itself, there is a good weather component and the wind varies a lot throughout the 'day', as do the clouds, which again help create the atmosphere.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users note that the grinding aspect in the game involves both auditory feedback from collisions and a gameplay mechanic where boats are affected but not destroyed by obstacles. Additionally, some players find certain tasks, like collecting Pois, to be tedious, leading them to engage with them only sporadically.
“The grinding aspect of the game feels tedious, as I find myself only clicking on the Pois if I'm nearby, which means I may never collect all 12.”
“When you hit the ground or an obstacle, the grinding noises are frustrating, and while your boat is stopped or slowed, it never actually breaks, which feels unrealistic.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever use of language, particularly in the translation of terms like "outhaul" to "pajarillo," which means "little bird" in Spain, creating amusing cultural contrasts that resonate with players from different Spanish-speaking regions.
“In Spanish, for example, the 'outhaul' is called 'pajarillo', which I found hilarious because it means 'little bird'. It's commonly used in Spain, but in Argentina (and generally in Latin America), we just say outhaul.”
“But something funny happened.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been criticized by users for being annoying, suggesting it detracts from the overall experience.
“The music is annoying.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety.”
“The background music is distracting and doesn't fit the game's atmosphere.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the island exploration enjoyable, with numerous hidden areas that enhance replayability, particularly through the engaging mechanics of learning to sail.
“The island is fun to explore and full of hidden areas, providing a decent amount of replayability and making learning how to sail enjoyable.”
“Each playthrough offers new challenges and surprises, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.”
“The variety of character choices and story paths encourages multiple runs to fully experience everything the game has to offer.”
