eSail Sailing Simulator

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eSail 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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 860 reviews

graphics28 positive mentions

stability14 negative mentions

Excellent simulation that provides a realistic sailing experience, making it a great learning tool for both beginners and experienced sailors.
The tutorials are well-structured and informative, helping players understand sailing terminology and techniques effectively.
The game features realistic physics and mechanics, allowing players to practice various sailing skills such as mooring, anchoring, and sail trimming.

The graphics are considered outdated and could use significant improvement to enhance the overall visual experience.
There is currently only one boat available, limiting the variety of sailing experiences and customization options.
Some users have reported bugs and issues with controls, particularly with the crew's responsiveness and the user interface.

graphics
138 mentions
20 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users noting that they are simplistic and reminiscent of older titles from the 90s, lacking in detail and polish. While some players appreciate the charm and focus on gameplay mechanics over visuals, others express disappointment in the dated graphics and call for significant improvements. Overall, the graphics are considered adequate for a simulation focused on realism and physics, but many hope for future enhancements to enhance immersion.
- “The visuals are stunning, the physics are accurate, and the overall gameplay is smooth and engaging.”
- “Graphics look good and they've thrown in a few sea creatures and birds which is a nice touch and makes the voyage more interesting.”
- “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.”
- “Worth 5 bucks tops, tutorial is awful, explains nothing properly, 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 are primitive by today's standards.”
gameplay
38 mentions
16 % positive mentions
76 % neutral mentions
8 % 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.”
story
34 mentions
18 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is primarily centered around exploration and navigation, with players engaging in quests that enhance their sailing skills and knowledge. While the game offers a rich tutorial experience and realistic sailing mechanics, some users find the navigation map and charting features lacking in user-friendliness, which can detract from the overall storytelling experience. Overall, the combination of engaging graphics, multiplayer elements, and in-depth tutorials contributes to a compelling narrative of adventure and skill development on the seas.
- “The tutorials are very in-depth, and I learned more about sailing than my Oculus Quest 2 sailing sim.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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 kind of sucked that you couldn't plot your course for those islands.”
- “There isn't a steep learning curve, and in the live sailing setting, you can complete quests to find things.”
stability
14 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 few fatal bugs, there are notable issues with various features, including anchoring and point of interest collections, which can be frustrating. Players have found that minor bugs can often be resolved quickly by reloading scenarios or using in-game reset options. Despite these glitches, the game remains a good learning tool with engaging tutorials and interesting scenery.
- “Very good for learning, but infuriatingly buggy.”
- “Very sad that the live sail doesn't include the world, and even worse that the POI collection is so buggy.”
- “Reefing seems buggy.”
optimization
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game appears to be satisfactory, with users reporting a positive experience in windowed mode, although they are uncertain about performance differences. The game effectively teaches sailing techniques that enhance both safety and performance, indicating a well-optimized educational experience for players.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its dynamic weather system, which includes varying winds and cloud patterns that enhance the immersive experience. Players appreciate the quiet, serene environment that contributes to a rich world filled with character, suggesting strong potential for further development.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “It's a very quiet atmosphere in the game.”
grinding
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players note that the grinding aspect in the game is primarily auditory, with grinding noises indicating when boats hit obstacles, resulting in a temporary halt or slowdown without any permanent damage. Additionally, some find certain tasks, like collecting points of interest (Pois), to be somewhat tedious, leading to a more casual approach to completion. Overall, while grinding elements exist, they do not detract significantly from the gameplay experience.
- “Pois are a bit grindy to me, so I'll only click them if I happen to be near one, so I may never get all 12.”
- “When you hit the ground or an obstacle, you hear grinding noises and your boat is stopped, slowed, heeled... but it will never break.”
- “Who knows, maybe sailing sims will become as popular as farming simulators one day.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by clever language choices, such as the translation of "outhaul" to "pajarillo," meaning "little bird," which creates amusing cultural contrasts between Spain and Latin America. Players appreciate these playful linguistic quirks, adding a layer of enjoyment to the experience.
- “In Spanish, for example, the 'outhaul' will be 'pajarillo', which I found hilarious because it means 'little bird' and it is very much used in Spain, but in Argentina (and in general in Latin America) we just say outhal.”
- “But something funny happened.”
music
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received negative feedback, with multiple users describing it as annoying.
- “The music is really annoying.”
- “The music is quite bothersome.”
- “The soundtrack is just irritating.”
replayability
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the island enjoyable to explore, with numerous hidden areas that enhance replayability and make the sailing experience engaging.
- “The island is fun to explore and full of hidden areas, providing a decent amount of replayability and making the learning process of sailing enjoyable.”