Naval Action

"Naval Action" is a hardcore, realistic naval combat game set in the Age of Sail. The game offers beautiful and accurately modeled ships, with a variety of roles to experience from small cutters to large 1st rates. Fight for domination through conquest and PVP activities in the West Indies, recreated with 18th Century maps and navigational charts. Note: The above summary is based on the information provided and is not an official description.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

54%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,101 reviews

gameplay246 positive mentions

grinding378 negative mentions

The game features beautiful graphics and detailed ship models, providing an immersive experience.
Naval Action offers a unique age of sail combat experience, with a variety of ships and tactical gameplay.
The community is generally friendly and helpful, especially towards new players.

The developers have made drastic changes to core gameplay mechanics, leading to frustration among long-time players.
The game has a steep learning curve with minimal guidance, making it difficult for new players to get started.
The introduction of a seasonal wipe system has made progress feel meaningless, discouraging player investment.

gameplay
1,014 mentions
24 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this naval action game is characterized by a mix of engaging ship combat mechanics and a steep learning curve, with many players praising the realistic sailing and battle systems. However, frequent changes to core mechanics, a lack of clear explanations for various gameplay elements, and a grind-heavy progression system have led to frustration among the community. While the graphics and ship models are well-received, the overall experience is marred by issues such as poor UI design, unbalanced gameplay, and a perceived shift towards monetization over player enjoyment.
- “The gameplay is unmatched though, and the community is growing steadily again.”
- “The sailing mechanics, the cannon mechanics, the slow-paced battles, etc. is what drew me in to this game, and it's what's keeping me.”
- “The gameplay is outstanding and probably the best and most realistic age of sail game out there, which is what I loved so much about it.”
- “In this game, there are quite a lot of mechanics and items and upgrades, which are very loosely explained, and it's not very clear exactly what they do, so you have to search a topic where some player has asked the veteran players what that item does exactly, and they explained it to him.”
- “The battle system is very realistic, but there is one aspect of it which was very important in the real-life age of sail, and which is missing from this game - in this game you cannot control the raising or folding of each individual sail - the game works on a percentage system which raises or folds a certain percentage of all the sails together, even though visually some sails get raised first while others stay folded.”
- “The gameplay features and content that are locked behind paywalls make it frustrating for those who prefer not to invest additional money.”
story
529 mentions
10 % positive mentions
82 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players noting that there is no overarching narrative or compelling missions to guide their experience. Instead, players are left to grind through repetitive and often frustrating missions that lack variety and meaningful context, leading to a sense of aimlessness. While some enjoy the open-world exploration and player-driven interactions, the absence of a structured storyline or diverse mission types detracts from the overall enjoyment for many players.
- “The latter is a far better and more 'swashbuckling-fun-and-to-hell-with-physics' kind of game - and has a story to tell, too!”
- “With that said and a rich storyline to each country and character, it would bring me back to my 'Pirates of the Burning Sea' days.”
- “There is no particular storyline here to guide you.”
- “The story of a dying game in what was once filling a void in the MMO genre.”
- “There is no story unfolding, every port is identical, nothing happens or changes in the world.”
graphics
493 mentions
66 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and realism, particularly in ship models and battle scenes, creating an immersive experience for players. Many reviews highlight the stunning visuals of the ocean, weather effects, and detailed ship designs, although some users note that the graphics can be demanding on hardware. While the overall aesthetic is well-received, there are mentions of inconsistencies in the graphics quality outside of combat and a desire for further improvements in certain areas.
- “The graphics are stunning, and the gameplay is perhaps a little too realistic in that everything takes such a long time to do (as they probably did, historically).”
- “The graphics, ship models, and attention to detail are astounding.”
- “The graphics are amazing, the battle mechanics are fantastic, and the ships have individual characteristics.”
- “The graphics are poor.”
- “The graphics are a bit odd, but the gameplay is amazing.”
- “Long story short....avoid this game unless you like to sail around and look at subpar graphics and enjoy a long grind to get marginal rewards and enjoy a mildly entertaining combat system.”
grinding
382 mentions
1 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming. While some players appreciate the challenge and sense of achievement that comes from grinding, the frequent resets and changes implemented by developers have led to frustration, as progress can be easily lost. Overall, the game is described as requiring a significant investment of time to advance, often resulting in a repetitive and unenjoyable experience for many players.
- “I love this game; there's nothing else like it in the market. Literally the best combat, very complex, and there's always something to do. If you're not grinding XP, you'll be on trade or passenger missions trying to get that sweet cash. With that cash, you can buy amazing ships, and just studying the models is glorious. This game amazes me, and it will remain one of the best naval games in history.”
- “Even 5th rate ships aren't that grindy to get.”
- “Grinding is a must but every update - everything you grind for becomes useless.”
- “The game inflicts too much mind-numbingly tedious grind, with very stingy rewards.”
- “The grinding aspect of the game and the nearly dead playerbase completely obliterates your ability to actually engage in the combat in any meaningful level unless you have nothing else to do but play this game.”
music
62 mentions
5 % positive mentions
84 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its complete lack of an in-game music soundtrack, which many players feel detracts from the overall experience and atmosphere, making it feel unfinished. Despite the developers' acknowledgment of the issue, they have no plans to add music, leading players to resort to external playlists for ambiance. Overall, the absence of music is seen as a significant shortcoming, with many calling for the inclusion of original compositions or period-appropriate tracks to enhance gameplay.
- “You make a soundtrack so that players have the option to enjoy original music specifically tailored and produced for your game.”
- “Sailing around with pirate music in the background is the only thing my scruffy pirate heart desires.”
- “Currently playing non-stop Pirates of the Caribbean music in the background while taking over the world as a pirate.”
- “This game not having any music at all just gives the perpetual mark of an unfinished early access game, and honestly contributes a lot to this game feeling like it has no soul.”
- “Currently no in-game soundtrack.”
- “Oh and you need to play music on YouTube because the game doesn't even have music.”
monetization
42 mentions
7 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The monetization model of "Naval Action" has drawn widespread criticism for its heavy reliance on microtransactions and DLC, which many players view as exploitative cash grabs. Users express frustration over the game's shift from a promising experience to a grindy environment designed to push players towards spending money, with accusations of misleading advertising and a lack of developer support for the community. Overall, the monetization practices are seen as detrimental to the game's potential and enjoyment, leading to calls for players to avoid investing in it.
- “DLC ships are expensive, but currently they are the main source of revenue for the company since they made the game free-to-play. There aren't really any in-game purchases that I've seen, and they host events that go on for days, usually with only a 2-7 day break before they host another.”
- “The microtransactions during gameplay are phenomenal in their details and combinations.”
- “Had they been able to resist the pressures for short-term monetization, we would now all be playing a fantastic and popular MMO, possibly even a genuine classic in PC gaming.”
- “Naval Action had the potential to be an engaging naval combat game, but unfortunately, it falls short due to its disappointing design choices and heavy reliance on microtransactions.”
- “The devs don't care about having a good game experience anymore; they only care about the players having to waste their money in the game, the last cash grab before the game dies.”
- “Game Labs is a joke of a developer who is more concerned with cash grabs and microtransactions to give a shit about their player base; even at a now discounted price, this game is absolutely not worth buying.”
stability
40 mentions
13 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
85 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. While a few players noted a relatively smooth experience, the majority described the game as poorly optimized and filled with frustrating issues, including unbalanced mechanics and problematic tutorials. Overall, the consensus is that the game remains a buggy and unfinished product, despite some claims of improvement in certain areas.
- “The game has been polished and runs great; it plays great.”
- “While I am leery of early release games, Naval Action's early access alpha is remarkable and generally bug-free.”
- “As an early access alpha, the game runs great for me.”
- “Typical post-2010 product, cheap, buggy, abandon-ware.”
- “I can't believe after all this time this game is still a buggy nightmare that crashes every 20 minutes....”
- “Releasing overpriced DLCs for content made for 50% by the community (maps, dinos, etc.) while the base game was unfinished, horribly unoptimized, and insanely buggy.”
optimization
40 mentions
18 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players noting significant performance issues, particularly during large battles, while others report smooth gameplay on decent hardware. Critics highlight frequent changes to game mechanics that disrupt player strategies, and there are concerns about the game's overall optimization, especially for high-end systems. However, some users appreciate the improvements made over time, indicating that while there are still optimization challenges, the game has made strides in performance and stability.
- “Each ship has its own characteristics, and beyond the basic specs, your choices in wood when crafting the ships and upgrades have observable consequences upon ship performance.”
- “The finer parts of what the developers have accomplished thus far would certainly be the optimization and multiplayer integration.”
- “Managing and tuning your ship and crew is rewarding and complex: you can add modifications to your ship that influence certain performance, from turning rating to rigging speed, from cannon type to water pump quality.”
- “This is now essentially a mobile game that is badly optimized for a PC and not available on mobile.”
- “However, the developers of this game constantly make changes to different performance characteristics of the ships, cannons, guns, wood types, etc., so one can spend a large amount of time making decisions and building ships or picking cannon types only to have it all invalidated by one of the developers' frenetic changes.”
- “However, the game's graphics engine is poorly optimized; you'll run into performance issues during large battles on even the best of computers.”
humor
34 mentions
97 % positive mentions
-6 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely appreciated when played with friends, as players find joy in the chaotic and often absurd situations that arise, such as losing ships to AI or engaging in comical battles. However, some players criticize the developer's behavior and the game's mechanics, suggesting that the humor can be overshadowed by frustration and toxicity within the community. Overall, while the game offers many funny moments, especially in multiplayer settings, opinions vary on its consistency and the developer's influence on the experience.
- “Game is a lot of funny, especially with friends.”
- “You can also lose your ship to enemy AI and players, which I found to be funny as hell.”
- “Funny... nice battle engine, big open world... active community, war, betrayal, fun game!”
- “Sorry, it's not funny and I do not feel excited.”
- “The jokes fell flat and didn't land at all.”
- “I expected humor, but it was more cringeworthy than amusing.”
atmosphere
22 mentions
45 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its immersive graphics and realistic 18th-century sailing experience, particularly on the peace server where players can enjoy a relaxing environment without the threat of being attacked. However, some reviews note a decline in atmosphere due to a lack of music and engaging sound design, with certain servers described as having a toxic environment. Overall, while the game offers a visually appealing and atmospheric experience, improvements in audio and community dynamics could enhance it further.
- “The graphics on this game are very pretty, and the atmosphere really draws you in.”
- “Graphics, atmosphere, realism and detail are really good and as a fan of Patrick O'Brian's novels (Master and Commander and its sequels) this game is totally enjoyable.”
- “What a pleasant atmosphere for new players...”
- “Unfortunately, while the game is just as grindy as it used to be, the atmosphere has drastically changed.”
- “There is no music to add a modicum of atmosphere.”
- “The hub world is batshit ugly, the menus look like my first UI, and the overall atmosphere and controls of this 'simulation MMO' are just meh.”
emotional
9 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a profound rollercoaster, eliciting feelings of heartbreak and disappointment due to unmet expectations and perceived neglect from developers. Players express a deep emotional investment in the game's potential, feeling let down by the lack of quality and realism, which has led to frustration and a sense of loss. Overall, the emotional connection is strong, but it is marred by dissatisfaction with the game's current state and developer-player interactions.
- “10/10 for an emotional rollercoaster.”
- “It just makes me want to cry, for the lack of love over the last 24 months.”
- “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
replayability
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is currently rated very low, with some users expressing frustration over its playability issues. However, features like clans, trading, crafting, and various battle types have the potential to enhance replayability if the developers improve the game's mechanics.
- “Clans, trading, crafting, fleet battles large and small, port sieges, and leveling will keep this game replayable.”
- “Replayability - 1/10”
- “Do not buy this game at this time until the devs make the game more playable.”
- “If the devs read this, I would suggest going to a free-to-play model to encourage more players, which in turn, would make the game more playable.”