Read the non-pirate speak version of the review here

Age o’ Booty (formerly Plunder) be a shipmate themed RTS developed by Certain Affinity, an’ published by Capcom. From th’ start, this game has shown a lot o’ promise. Capcom aimed t’ provide some high quality RTS action in a guppy-sized downloadable package, an’ they delivered.

Age o’ Booty has a Challenge mode, a map maker, an’, most importantly o’ all, multiplayer. Challenge mode consists o’ se’en sets o’ three challenges. Each set has an easy, medium, an’ hard rated challenge. Durin’ these challenges, ye be tasked wi’ takin’ o’er villages an’ towns, an’ takin’ the’r sweet sweet resources. Resources come in three flavors: dubloon, wood, an’ rum - ahoy, what else could ye possibly need t’ be a shipmate? These resources be then used t’ upgrade yer ships an’ occupied towns. When ye get into th’ later challenges that include multiple computer controlled opponents an’ allies, th’ game can be a wee frustratin’, especially when ye take into consideration that yer computer controlled allies be captained by what I can only assume be loaded to the gunwhales chimps. They rarely go ‘ere ye`d prefer they sailed’, an’ they will frequently spend precious resources on upgrades fer the’r own ships rather than savin’ them fer ye, or yer occupied towns.

Th’ map editor be, well, more or less what ye`d expect ‘t t’ be. Ye can create maps rangin’ from wee an’ cramped t’ large an’ open. Ye be havin’ access t’ ever’ type o’ hex (game tiles) th’ game has t’ offer. Ye can set th’ location o’ towns, an’ determine what resources them towns will be havin’ near them. Ye can create isles, arrr an’ other natural obstacles t’ make th’ map more interestin’. Ye can then take them maps an’ play local, or private online games wi’ them. I dasn’t think I could swabbieally make anythin’ more interestin’ than th’ 25 multiplayer maps th’ game comes wi’, but I look fore t’ seein’ what me heartys cook up.

Ahh th’ multiplayer. This be ‘ere Age o’ Booty really shines. I spent a good long time on th’ multiplayer - an’ I had a hard time draggin’ myself away from ‘t t’ sit down an’ write this review. Multiplayer matches require that ye coordinate wi’ yer team mates, an’ use yer resources efficiently. Usin’ teamwork, ye can take down a town very smartly, defend yer towns effectively, an’ e’en trap an opponent between ye, one o’ yer team mates, an’ a land mass, ensurin’ the’r destruction. Be warned - yer multiplayer experience will rely heavily on yer team`s ability t’ work together. A well organized team will be havin’ a great time playin’ this game, win or lose. A team ‘ere nay one be communicatin’, an’ someone be stealin’ all th’ resources t’ upgrade the’r own ship will likely lose, an’ be havin’ a miserable time doin’ so.

While ye won`t get a lot o’ mileage ou’ o’ th’ single player portion o’ this game, th’ multiplayer more than makes up fer ‘t. Age o’ Booty be available fer th’ XBLA, an’ be available next high tide’ (Octobree 16) fer th’ PSN. Accordin’ t’ th’ official site, th’ PC version be still awaitin’ a release date. I can honestly say ’tis well worth th’ askin’ price o’ $10.

-Mike Kurz