Summary
The Age of Discovery offers game designers a rich source of inspiration. With its connotations ofsailing ships, budding trade empires, rapidly changing borders, and political wrangling, it simply cries out to be the basis of a game. Most of the games set in the Age of Discovery, unsurprisingly, fall into the strategy genre because of this.
There are some great games, including some classic older ones that exploit this era ofhuman historyto the fullest. Some of them focus entirely on the Age of Discovery. Others use this era as a logical jump-off point for beginning gameplay that then progresses through later ages.
7Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales
Play A Pirate And Become A Menace Of The High Seas
There are plenty of excellentpirate gamesavailable, but some of them stand head and shoulders above the others for one reason or another.Age of Pirates: Caribbean Talesis one such game. Released back in 2006, it is a fun, romantic romp through a vibrant game world, with some of the first real-time naval combat ever seen in a game.
The player can choose to play one of two siblings, Blaze Shark or Beatrice Shark. They then set off across a large map full ofCaribbean islands, to wreak havoc on commercial shipping. Something this game did very well, was the real-time sailing. There was no instant or quick travel, and the player must captain their ship through good weather and bad.
When not aboard their ship, the player can engage in actions such as duels, board enemy vessels, and trade for supplies.Age of Pirates: Caribbean Talesharks back to an older time, when games were made to be fun, rather than serious. It earns a place on this list for the smile factor alone.
6Port Royale 3: Pirates & Merchants
Two Paths One Choice
This is the third installment in thePort Royalefranchise, and a game that really moved things forward. It was the firstPort Royalegame to move towards a fullysandbox style of gameplay. Although the player can choose from one of two paths, merchant or adventurer to complete the storyline, they don’t have to.
What makesPort Royale 3: Pirates & Merchantspretty unique, is that it features two play styles in one game. If the player decides to follow the path of the merchant, the game becomes much more like an empire trading simulator. If the player chooses the path of the adventurer instead, the game becomes much more combat-orientated. Overall, a great addition to the franchise and well worth a spot on this list.
This game doesn’t strictly take place solely within the Age of Discovery. Instead, it begins in this age, and the player will progress through several other ages, once the Age of Discovery is completed. This includes the Colonial Age, Fortress Age, Industrial Age, and the Imperial Age. Each with its own set of technologies, structures, and units.
The player can choose to support one of 8 different civilizations, with the goal of expanding their empire’s influence and prosperity. There is a story arc included in the game, although this is optional. Age of Empires III gets a place on this list for being one of, if not the best game in theAge of Empiresfranchiseso far.
4Anno 1701
Classic City Builder Set In The Age Of Discovery
As with all of the other games in theAnnofranchise,Anno 1701focuses on the micromanagement of resources, research, and other factors. The game has two play modes. Firstly, the open-ended mode, with the player free to carry on expanding their empire indefinitely. Secondly, scenario mode, which includes 10 different scenarios, each with its own challenges to overcome.
Few games have managed to meld city-building mechanics with grand strategy aspects as well asAnno 1701does. It deserves a place on this list because of this, but not exclusively so. It is simply a polished game experience that will keep fans of the genre happy for hundreds of hours.
3Sid Meier’s Colonization
Helping To Define The Genre
There is a reason why the name Sid Meier is attached to so many game titles. This is a man who almost single-handedly laid down many of the standard gameplay features of strategy games.Sid Meier’s Colonizationwas one of his earlier games, and it set the stage for modern empire-building and grand strategy games.
The game sits squarely between the originalCivilizationgame, andCivilization 2in gameplay features. It improves on the gameplay ofCivilizationbut adds a twist as well. The player begins with a fairly well-established nation, instead of starting from nothing. For fans of the strategy genre,Sid Meier’s Colonizationgives an interesting insight into how these games evolved.
2Civilization IV: Colonization
A Remake Of Sid Meier’s Colonization
This game was a reimagining of the aforementioned game,Sid Meier’s Colonization. This wasn’t a simple “remastered” edition, updating the graphics and releasing it for a quick cash grab, the game was completely rebuilt from the ground up. It was redeveloped to slot into the growingCivilizationfranchise, changing the gameplay but keeping the flavor of the original.
Civilization IV: Colonizationtakes 2nd place on this list for being an improved version of what was already a fantastic game in its own right. As with the original offering, the player begins with a somewhat established colony, and aims to try and increase its presence. Part city builder, part resource management, and part trading simulator,Civilization IV: Colonizationis a deep game, that marks the evolution of theCivilizationfranchise into the format of the more modern titles.
Naval Combat Comes To Total War
Empire: Total War
Control the land, command the seas, forge a new nation, and conquer the globe.Total War: EMPIRE takes the Total War franchise to the eighteenth century Age of Enlightenment a time of political upheaval, military advancements, and radical thought, captured in stunning detail.Total War: EMPIRE introduces a host of revolutionary new features, including true 3D naval combat. For the first time in the Total War series, you will be able to intuitively command single ships or vast fleets upon seascapes rich with extraordinary water and weather effects that play a huge role in your eventual glorious success or ignominious defeat. After pummelling your enemy with cannon fire, close in to grapple their ship and prepare to board, taking control of your men as they fight hand-to-hand on the decks of these wooden behemoths.In addition, Total War: EMPIRE will see further enhancements to the Total War series’ signature 3D battles and turn-based campaign map. Real-time battles will pose new challenges with the addition of cannon and musket, challenging players to master new formations and tactics as a result of the increasing role of gunpowder within warfare. And the Campaign Map, the heart of Total War introduces a variety of new and upgraded elements, including new systems for Trade, Diplomacy and Espionage with agents; a refined and streamlined UI; improved Advisors; and a vastly extended scope, taking in the riches of India, the turbulence of Europe and, for the first time, the untapped potential of the United States of America.
The 5th game in theTotal Warfranchise,Empire: Total Wartakes full advantage of the rich backdrop of the Age of Discovery. However, it must be said that the game does progress into the following ages during a playthrough. The game was praised for its historical accuracy and the depth of strategic gameplay options on release.
Empire: Total Wartakes its place at the top of this list for adding something extra to theTotal Warfranchise, in the form of real-time naval battles. By the time this game was released, many of the staples of Total War gameplay had been refined over several iterations. The campaign game mode is a good example of this, as it is more far-reaching than in previousTotal Wargames, and offers a considerable challenge to strategy game fans, even today.
