Windward update
Oh, since it was talked about earlier... I've gotten 2 cards, played 98 minutes, hosted a 4 pack bought via steam. Either I'm not eligible for a refund, the two hour wait isn't going on anymore, or maybe just certain people have it happening too. (I've never used a card idle program, and have never refunded. I'm also in marketplace debt, having spent more than earned.)
Okay, hour and a half in, my impressions are very favorable. Its not a very complicated game as you don't have to worry about wind direction, combat options seem to be limited (no, going for the sails or mast to limit an opponents movements, going for the crew with grapeshot, or no boarding actions either) but there is some practicable things you have to worry about... aka you have to turn broadside to other ships to shot your cannons at them. There also seems to be no ship damage for ramming other ships. Though this is likely a good thing as you have PC controlled ships from your faction around and there can be allot of ship banging if you have a 3 (or more) ships from your faction in combat with a single pirate ship.
Factions, I don't know how many there is or all of their advantages but some favor certain types of ships (or quests) and can get those types cheaper (or those quests refresh more often), etc. Stuff that's been done allot before.
XP System, level up unlock traits and skills to put points in... Skill trees look allot like Borderlands. (three total, each tree has two sides, looks at some point that you can unlock specializations.
Ship Upgrades, sort of like loot. You can find them, buy them... Seem to be random. They don't seem to make or break you but they do surely help out. Crew, Cannons, Hull, Captain, Mast/Sails, etc. (There surely seems like a lot) are all loot slots. This loot is even color coded like you would expect in a Diablo styled game. I've seen White, Light Green, Dark Green, and Blue so far. And like I said before there's more than one type of ship too buy too.
(There is also tools that can be found that allow you to dive on sunken ships or have an easier time salvaging floating barrels and whatnot..)
Quest, track down pirates, defend towns, take on passengers, discover new towns, are all quests I've seen... There's likely more as I've only seen my faction and pirates so far. You can also just carry cargo and sell it at a new location for hopeful profit. (Rumors tell you what other towns want and this knowledge shows up on that screen so its very easy to make the right choices.)
I hate to say, "its allot like Diablo/Borderlands" but it kind of sorta is... The big difference is there's no boss fight to show you how much your ship has improved...
All and all its all very relaxing and quite enjoyable...
TLR If it was bundled tomorrow I wouldn't be upset. I would just be happy that more people got to play it
PS I'm playing in a single player game right now... It also has online, direct connect, maps are random though you seem to have some say over them... Steam Workshop is a recent addition.
. I was waiting for this.
