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 10,194 reviews

gameplay490 positive mentions

grinding757 negative mentions

gameplay
2,018 mentions
24 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Naval Action" is characterized by its intricate ship mechanics and realistic naval combat, which many players find engaging and rewarding once mastered. However, frequent changes to core mechanics, often perceived as detrimental, have led to frustration among the community, particularly regarding the balance between realism and fun. Additionally, the game suffers from a steep learning curve, a grind-heavy progression system, and a lack of clear tutorials, making it challenging for new players to fully enjoy the experience.
- “The gameplay is unmatched though, and the community is growing steadily again.”
- “Absolutely wanted to love this game seeing as I grew up on a boat and I've found the sailing and wind mechanics to be really quite robust and well-implemented (in battles that is).”
- “Great naval warfare & sailing mechanics, horrible MMO economy that's set up to force players buying overpriced P2W DLCs.”
- “The experience of sailing a gorgeously modeled ship is ruined by constant frustrations with basic game mechanics.”
- “The gameplay features and content that are locked behind paywalls make it frustrating for those who prefer not to invest additional money.”
- “The problem with this game is in the mechanics and gameplay; it just seems to be going backwards, not forwards.”
story
1,057 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 them. Instead, players are left to grind through repetitive tasks and combat missions that often feel disconnected and uninspired, leading to a sense of frustration and monotony. While some enjoy the open-world exploration and player-driven experiences, the absence of a meaningful storyline or diverse mission types detracts from the overall enjoyment for many players.
- “The story of a dying game in what was once filling a void in the MMO genre.”
- “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.”
- “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!”
- “There is no story unfolding, every port is identical, nothing happens or changes in the world.”
- “The compulsory 'intro mission' is the worst introduction to a game I have ever experienced.”
- “You can get quests to earn money and doubloons, but the quests don't have any story, so there's no story in this game.”
graphics
984 mentions
66 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning detail and realism, particularly in ship models and battle scenes, creating an immersive experience. Many players highlight the beautiful rendering of the ocean and atmospheric effects, although some note that the open world graphics can be less impressive. While the visuals are generally considered a strong point, there are calls for further optimization and updates to enhance the overall graphical experience.
- “The graphics, the challenge, the suspense are all phenomenal.”
- “The graphics are amazing, the gameplay is quite challenging, but so rewarding.”
- “The graphics of the sea, the detailing of the ship models, the smoke & thunder that come from a salvo of cannon fire makes the immersion of this game.”
- “Grinding and griefing sim 1815, pretty boring, graphics not great, map design uninspired, still the same mess it was ten years ago, would not recommend.”
- “This game has very poor graphics, small number of ships, weird looking ports.”
- “The graphics are poor.”
grinding
765 mentions
0 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with many players describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming, often comparing it to the grind found in Korean MMORPGs. While some players find enjoyment in the grind, especially when playing with friends or in clans, the overall sentiment is that the game has become increasingly unbalanced and punishing, with frequent resets and changes that render progress meaningless. New players, in particular, struggle with the steep learning curve and the overwhelming amount of grinding required to compete effectively.
- “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 the models are glorious. I love this game; it doesn't cease to amaze me, and it will remain one of the best naval games in history.”
- “Even 5th rate ships aren't that grindy to get.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Save yourself the many hours of grinding only to lose it all on a reset.”
- “It is no longer fun, just tedious to grind your way through, with so little return now for efforts.”
- “The game inflicts too much mind-numbingly tedious grind, with very stingy rewards.”
music
124 mentions
5 % positive mentions
84 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its complete lack of a music soundtrack, which many players feel detracts from the overall atmosphere and immersion. Despite the game's visual and sound effects being praised, the absence of music has led players to seek out their own playlists, often resorting to YouTube for sea shanties and classical music to fill the void. Developers have indicated that there are no current plans to add music, citing the challenge of catering to diverse musical tastes, which has left many feeling the game lacks a crucial element of polish and depth.
- “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.”
- “I would prefer if they added some in-game music from the era, but I usually just remedy that with some YouTube of either the Assassin's Creed Black Flag sea shanties or some classical music from Mount and Blade: Napoleonic Wars.”
- “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.”
- “Even now, it seems a bit unfinished (no music, and no flags flying in open world, etc).”
- “There is no music to add a modicum of atmosphere.”
monetization
84 mentions
7 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The monetization model of "Naval Action" has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, heavily relying on microtransactions and expensive DLCs that detract from the overall gaming experience. Players express frustration over the game's grindy mechanics designed to push purchases, alongside claims of misleading advertising and a lack of developer support for the community. Many reviewers recommend avoiding the game due to its exploitative practices and the perception that it prioritizes profit over player satisfaction.
- “While Naval Action is free to play, the game's design seems to revolve around pushing players towards purchasing microtransactions, which greatly impacts the overall experience.”
- “The gameplay loop is grindy and seems to favor microtransactions/DLC purchases instead of a reasonable amount of time spent playing.”
- “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 than with their player base; even at a now discounted price, this game is absolutely not worth buying.”
stability
80 mentions
13 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
85 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly detract from the overall experience. While a few players have noted a relatively smooth experience, the majority express frustration over unpolished gameplay, server issues, and poorly designed mechanics that lead to frustrating gameplay moments. Overall, the consensus leans towards the game being a buggy and unstable product, particularly in its current state.
- “The game has been polished and runs great, plays great.”
- “While I am leery of early release games, Naval Action's early release alpha is remarkable and generally bug free.”
- “As an early access alpha, the game runs great for me.”
- “I can't believe after all this time this game is still a buggy nightmare that crashes every 20 minutes....”
- “Insanely poorly designed game, impossible buggy tutorials.”
- “Releasing overpriced DLCs for content made for 50% by the community while the base game was unfinished, horribly unoptimized, and insanely buggy.”
optimization
80 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, even on high-end systems. While there are praises for the game's graphics and overall performance, many users express frustration over frequent changes to game mechanics that can invalidate player strategies. Overall, while some aspects of optimization are acknowledged, many players feel that the game still requires substantial improvements to run smoothly and consistently.
- “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 devs have accomplished thus far would certainly be the optimization and multiplayer integration.”
- “At least the game is optimized, so they're doing something right.”
- “This is now essentially a mobile game that is badly optimized for a PC and not available on mobile.”
- “However, the game's graphics engine is poorly optimized; you'll run into performance issues during large battles on even the best of computers.”
- “Needs serious video usage optimization.”
humor
68 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely appreciated when played with friends, with many players finding comedic moments in chaotic battles, developer antics, and unexpected game mechanics. However, some reviews express frustration with the game's current state and the developer's behavior, suggesting that while the game can be funny, it may not consistently deliver that experience, especially for solo players. Overall, the humor is a mixed bag, often dependent on the social context and player interactions.
- “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.”
- “It can be very exciting and funny when you have some friends to play with.”
- “Sorry, it is not funny and I do not feel excited.”
- “Sorry, it is not funny and I do not feel excited.”
atmosphere
44 mentions
45 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag, with many players praising its beautiful graphics and immersive 18th-century sailing experience, particularly on the peaceful servers where player conflict is absent. However, some reviews highlight a lack of music and engaging sound design, which detracts from the overall ambiance, while others note a shift towards a more toxic environment in competitive settings. Overall, the atmosphere is generally appreciated for its realism and detail, but improvements in audio and UI elements are suggested to enhance the experience further.
- “The graphics, sound, and feel of the game set the stage for a great atmosphere and experience.”
- “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.”
- “They are like hungry sharks running out of food to eat and the atmosphere is becoming toxic on the last PvP server.”
emotional
18 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, lamenting the lack of attention to detail that detracts from their experience, leading to frustration and a sense of loss. Overall, the emotional connection is strong, but it is marred by feelings of abandonment and unfulfilled promise.
- “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
10 mentions
10 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game's current replayability is rated very low, with a score of 1/10, primarily due to its lack of playability and engaging mechanics. However, players believe that features like clans, trading, crafting, and various battle types could enhance replayability if the game improves. There is a strong suggestion for the developers to consider a free-to-play model to attract more players and increase overall enjoyment.
- “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.”