

It is also possible to increase one's wealth by trading various commodities. In addition to the warlike events, there is the possibility of finding buried treasures or reuniting your long-lost family. There is in Pirates! also unexpected encounters, for example with heavily armed pirate hunters or treasure ships with large amounts of gold on board, which can be found near the Treasure Fleet. As an additional highlight, the Silver Train moving from city to city and the sailing Treasure Fleet beckon with incredible treasures. Other pirates can also be captured and either sold for a ransom or given to a governor as a token of loyalty to the country (1987).

You can plunder war and merchant ships as well as fortified cities and receive additional rewards such as titles of nobility and lands or ask for the hand of the governor's daughter. Furthermore, you choose a special ability of your character, for example ability in fencing or navigation. There is a choice between four (2004: five) levels of difficulty, which are not final, because you can choose a higher level of difficulty in the course of the game.

In addition to the normal game, the 1987 version also has the option of replaying historical missions, for example The silver train ambush by Francis Drake in 1573. The aim is to gain reputation and wealth with four major European powers ( England, France, Holland, Spain ), which are in changeable diplomatic relations with each other (between alliance and war) through pirate trips.

The player takes on the role of captain of a crew of pirates in the Caribbean from the 16th to 18th centuries.
