We often talk about what game tropes are being used too much, but I think we forget to mention the ones that we’re not seeing enough of. In this regard, one thing I’m seeing a definite lack of is pirates. I think we can all agree that we need more pirate games. (I really hope the SOPA people don’t read that out of context and shut us down). Fortunately, Subvert Games is all too happy to oblige with the formidable Blackreef Pirates.

Blackreef Pirates is an upcoming pirate RPG (can I call it a pRPG? Is that a thing?) that lets you take the role of a swashbuckling adventurer. Right off the bat, I’d like to point out that this game is developed in Unity, which gives it a big plus in my book. Based on what we’ve already seen from the Unity engine, I think we can expect a pretty solid gameplay experience. In any event, I’ve played the alpha build and it already looks really promising.

You’ll have swords and old-timey pirate guns and you’ll be able to use both in pretty varied RPG combat. The swordfighting looks dynamic, with fluid dodging and parrying movements. It looks like duels will be fairly immersive in the game.

In terms of design, the game looks very sharp, with a cartoonish 3d aesthetic. I’m really sorry because the developer is going to inevitably endure dozens of these comparisons, but it reminds me a lot of Monkey Island. This isn’t helped by the fact that the dialogue I saw in the alpha looks humorous and a bit sarcastic. I’m not sure if it’s a source of inspiration for them (I mean, it’s both a pirate game and one of the best damn games ever, that’s a fairly good chance) or that’s just a coincidence, but there is a similarity. In any event, there’s no better game for you to take inspiration from than Monkey Island, and besides the obvious, Blackreef Pirates is very much doing its own thing.

In any event, there’s a lot to look forward to with Blackreef Pirates and it looks like it’s going to be a great title. The pirate world is one we don’t see nearly enough of in the gaming world, and I’m sure Subvert Games will deliver a memorable adventure.

Blackreef Pirates is set to be released on February 23rd for PC, Mac and iPad. There’s already an alpha build on the official site if you want to check it out.

[Blackreef Pirates]

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