While the swordfights aren't exactly Soul Caliber-esque, they do offer some variety. In the preview build, I not only was able to defeat a rival by wearing him down, I also managed to flip one guy overboard and got another to crash into a lantern and set himself on fire.
Pirates!, however, is more than just Twisted Metal on the high seas. The key to success in the game are the RPG elements that kick in when you're on dry land. It's all about earning sea cred. Helping one country, say Spain, in their war against the English, scores you points with that country's leaders. Initially, he may give you discounts on repairs and upgrades done on one of his country's islands. He may give you a promotion. Or, if he really likes you, he'll introduce you to his daughter. Hilariously, the way you woo the daughters is by dancing. A DDR-lite mini-game has you ballroom dancing with buxom cuties in hopes of eventually marrying one.
You'll also be busy keeping your ships in top shape and upgrading them to make them more powerful, easier to control, able to carry larger crews, etc. With the large number of different vessel types in the game, you may end up spending huge chunks of time tweaking your fleet.
While the single-player mode is clearly the game's focal point, there's a four-person versus mode to let you blow holes in the side of a buddy's hull. You won't be able to fire your cannons cross-country, though, as the online competition is limited to posting your top scores.
Other than the lackluster Pirates of the Caribbean, gamers haven't had much of a reason to don their puffiest shirt and grab the nearest rapier or cutlass. Sid Meier's Prates! Live the Life may change that. The novel battle style and large amount of things to do when you're not at the helm should make for a winning combination.
