This game is officially fun.
I completed my first mission, a simple treasure hunt. I had tried and failed twice before, but this time I meant business. Clear skies, smooth seas, an island close by - the perfect combo.
I then took an easy delivery mission. I was very excited because I had seen chickens close by! I grabbed two and headed to the drop off island.
I spied another ship in the harbor. I dropped anchor on the opposite side and swam up to the docks. I saw someone shopping at a merchant. I crept up and blasted him in the back with a pistol! It takes two shots to kill someone, and he was better than I. After a fierce chase, with the occasional retreat to eat a banana, he hit me twice in a row and I died.
It was my first death. I won’t spoil it but you eventually find yourself back on your ship. And now there were two enemy pirates aboard!
I fell into a comfortable loop of getting one hit in, dying, appearing again, getting another hit in, dying, etc. I figured they would not respawn on my ship, so I was happy to wage a slow war of attrition.
I changed up my pattern, waited two minutes, then appeared again. This seemed to work. I blasted one off the edge of the ship - his friend was nowhere to be seen - and I dropped the sails, raised the anchors and sailed away!
But this was only a minor victory, I wanted complete domination. ;-) And I had not really fought before, so it was good practice.
The next phase of the fight was lamely launching cannon balls at the other ship. We were both in the smallest ship, I was solo and I think they were a pair, so it was tricky. We each landed a few shots. I knew my ship was damaged, so I sailed off, dropped anchor and repaired.
Either they were too scared to pursue, or they knew I had no skill at all, so I had to turn back and chase them. Cowards!
I closed the distance. They turned. We each fired a volley. They hit - I think I also hit them. We were close. Suddenly, two pirates jumped up my ladder from the sea and cut me down. They had closed the distance in order to board me - scallywags!
I knew I had met my match. But they were still on my ship. So the next time I appeared I did the unexpected - and pulled out my accordion.
They fired once then shrugged and decided to join in. We played and danced for a while. Then they got down to the business of sailing my ship. I played my instrument and slowly danced behind them, then I took out my cutlass and cut one of them down.
I managed to sail off and dropped anchor to survey the damage. As I was looking for more wood to patch the numerous cannonball holes, the ship started to list. I managed to jump off before it sank.
I figured that was a good sign and logged off. I will return soon and avenge my fine ship. :-)
Oh, and they stole those chickens I had worked so hard for, the bastards.