Tradewinds Classics
- June 5, 2009
- Sandlot Games
"Tradewinds Classics" is a compilation of three games from the Tradewinds series that transports players to a hazardous and mysterious world of the past, where the open sea holds numerous challenges. In these games, players engage in maritime trade, battle pirates, explore diverse ports, and negotiate with merchants and governors, all while striving to build their trading empire. This collection offers a captivating journey for fans of nautical adventures and strategic trading simulations.
PC
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience, bringing back fond memories for many players who enjoyed it in their childhood.
- It features a simple yet addictive gameplay loop that combines trading and combat, making it a fun casual game to play for short or extended sessions.
- The series has a charming blend of humor, adventure, and strategy, with each installment adding unique features and improvements.
- The RNG can be frustrating, leading to unbalanced gameplay, especially in the late game where encounters become chance-based.
- Tradewinds 2 is seen as a disappointment compared to the original, lacking the ability to build a fleet and feeling more simplistic.
- Some technical issues persist, such as problems with fullscreen mode and crashes in certain versions, which can detract from the overall experience.
- story14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The "Tradewinds" series shows a progression in storytelling, with the first game lacking any narrative, while the second introduces a quest line that feels more like a series of errands than a cohesive story. The sequel offers an intriguing story mode filled with side quests and pop culture references, but some players find it buggy and feel that the narrative lacks a strong sense of direction. Overall, while the later games provide more character-driven stories and adventures, they also shift the focus away from fleet command, making the experience more challenging for players seeking a traditional trading simulation.
“It has a fun ship-based combat system allowing you to command a fleet of ten ships, an intriguing story, and it's chock full of amusing pop culture references.”
“Set in the Middle East and India, it takes the best parts of the previous two games and adds interesting storylines as well as other completely new features.”
“Tradewinds 2, however, still gives you the same chances and opportunities of being a merchant; however, it becomes a lot harder, as it gives you storylines to follow, revoking the ability to make a fleet.”
“Tradewinds 1 lacks any manner of story; Tradewinds 2 has a quest line, but it's just a bunch of governors making you their errand monkey.”
“Also, I haven't finished the story mode because it's really more just a string of sidequests that I think are eventually supposed to lead towards your character's goal. I saw progress in terms of islands unlocked and more powerful ships, but I never got to the point where I thought I was close to achieving my character's lifetime mission; she just kind of got caught up in politics and trading.”
“The classic game is great where you can build a fleet, but it has less of a story.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a fast-paced and fun loop centered around trading, combat, and exploration, though it becomes unbalanced in the late game. While the mechanics are simple and reminiscent of other RPGs, they lack polish, and players may find themselves quickly mastering the "buy low, sell high" strategy. Overall, the core gameplay is enjoyable and nostalgic, making it suitable for casual play, but may frustrate those seeking depth or balance.
“Legends is the most advanced of the games in this pack (and also the newest) and has a good balance between the tradewinds main gameplay mechanics, these being trading and fighting pirates.”
“So simple, yet leaves you with a satisfying gameplay experience.”
“It's more or less the same mechanic you find in other RPGs, but with less polish.”
“The gameplay itself is simple for the most part and mostly consists of trading cargo, fighting pirates, and making a name for yourself.”
“The first game's simplicity makes it an ideal choice if you just want to throw on a game for an hour or two and see how you fare, but once you master the fairly simple 'buy low, sell high' mechanics, you'll inevitably cruise towards millionaire status as long as RNGesus doesn't take a dump on you.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by a unique blend of cheesy and cheeky writing that adds personality and charm. Players appreciate the engaging dialogue and humorous quests, which enhance the overall fun and enjoyment of the gameplay experience. Tradewinds Legends, in particular, is noted for its content-rich and humorous approach, making it a memorable entry in the series.
“A unique blend of adventure, strategy, simulation, and tactical arcade battles is well seasoned with humor and serves as a lot of fun for many hours.”
“Plus it's got a cheeky sense of humor that I found quite endearing, something that sets it apart from the former game, which was largely devoid of personality.”
“It is actually worthwhile to read the dialogue in this one, simply because of the humor of several of the quests.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered good for its age, with a unique art style that some players appreciate, though others find them lacking compared to newer titles. While the visuals may not be groundbreaking or realistic, they complement the fast-paced and fun gameplay. The latest installment improves upon the graphics with enhancements like flying ships and upgrades, contributing to a more visually appealing experience.
“It's an old game with good graphics, quality music, and a very fast-paced/fun gameplay loop.”
“I'm also of the opinion that the graphics are generally an eyesore compared to the other two, and being set in the Caribbean just didn't fit the style of the game series overall (again, in my opinion).”
“Legends builds on this by adding flying ships, different types of ships, ammo, upgrades, and better graphics.”
“You get a ship that you can upgrade to do the same thing, but with better graphics!”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality, with some users highlighting it as a standout feature, particularly in comparison to other titles. However, opinions on the overall game experience vary, with some noting that while the music is enjoyable, other aspects may not hold up as well, especially towards the end game.
“It's an old game with good graphics, quality music, and a very fast-paced, fun gameplay loop.”
“Tradewinds 2 - it may not be the best overall, but it probably has the best music out of all of them.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers some replayability through new character unlocks, custom options, and additional game modes, but overall, users find it lacking in this aspect and suggest it may not be worth multiple playthroughs despite initial enjoyment.
“It does entice you with replayability by offering new character unlocks, custom character options (unlocked by beating the main story once, I think), and a couple of other game modes that I have yet to try.”
“Due to the low replayability, I wouldn't recommend it; however, it is fun until that point.”
“It does entice you with replayability, though, by offering new character unlocks, custom character options (unlocked by beating the main story once, I think), and a couple of other game modes that I have yet to try.”
