As I embark on my journey into the expansive world of Ships at Sea, my anticipation reaches new heights as I eagerly anticipate experiencing “Misc Games” latest addition to their renowned collection of fishing game simulators.

It seems that “Misc Games” has listened to the feedback from their dedicated fanbase, as my initial foray into the game leaves me captivated by the intricacies of maritime life in a northern fishing village. From navigating the unpredictable waves, to casting my line in pursuit of the perfect catch, every moment spent on the high seas feels meticulously crafted to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience.

Ships at Sea stands as a shining example within the genre of simulators, recognizing that its fanbase craves far more than mere static experiences at the helm of a ship. In this dynamic virtual world, players are not confined to a single perspective but are instead empowered to traverse the richly detailed environments on foot. Whether strolling along docksides, fixing navigation beacons, or sailing the open seas, the game offers a multifaceted experience that transcends the traditional confines of simulation gameplay that most simulators are adopting these days.

Following my harrowing ordeal in a rowboat during the tutorial, I went to the bank for financial assistance to upgrade to a more substantial vessel, ultimately opting for a modest yet sturdy tugboat that appeared in my boat shed once purchased.

Looking into the customization menu reveals a treasure trove of options, allowing me to fine-tune every aspect of my vessel to perfection. The selection of steering wheels, throttles, colours, and engines just to name a few, presents a tantalizing array of possibilities.

Each configuration promises to make my tugboat have its own distinct personality and performance characteristics. Making my way down the dock after I have done all my upgrades, into the wheelhouse of little Betsy, there are numerous buttons and switches you can interact with in the wheelhouse – searchlights, horns, sonar, and working lights all helping with the immersion.

One of my first missions was to service a navigation beacon, before working my way out there I had to purchase a drill, fuse, and light bulb. That was the easy part, trying to line the boat up to hit the trigger to climb the ladder to get to the beacon was the hard part. The swell was building, and the wind was pushing my vessel, it was frustrating and enjoyable at the same time.

That’s the great thing about Ships at Sea, you have a few different career paths you can choose, from maintenance, cargo hauling, or commercial fishing it all depends on you. The game doesn’t force you down a career path, you can even go back to the poor old rowboat and hand fish with a line, the choice is yours.

With the introduction of multiplayer for the first time into their line of games, Misc Games have ensured they listened to their fanbase adding to the experience of the seas and ensuring longevity in the game.

If you chose the cargo hauling career path, your suggested skill tree to level you up would be using dock cranes to load and unload cargo, instead of hand carrying it to your ship at the early stages. For commercial fishermen, you would need to unlock the longline skill, nets, and faster sorting, you have a lot of options to choose from.

The visual experience is truly exceptional. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect, particularly in the mesmerizing water reflections. Each wave disrupts the serene glassy surfaces immersing you further into the environment. The distant horizon is delicately veiled in a haze, effortlessly conveying a sense of vast distance—a subtle yet effective touch. Weather transitions are seamlessly executed from clear skies to light snow, and overcast days, the graphical fidelity captures the essence of each condition, enhancing the experience.

The tides and waves are dynamically recreated, with portable wharves undulating with the swell, mirroring the realism of real life. Even the propulsion systems leave their mark, disturbing the water’s surface with authenticity. The developers have honed their craft, drawing from the rich legacy of their previous works to deliver a remarkably polished experience. The audio doesn’t miss out either, the moving water, the creaks of the docks, the footsteps, and the peaceful soundtrack all drag you into a nice relaxing environment where you don’t feel you have to rush anything.

If you’re into this genre, Ships at Sea is a must-buy, a well-put-together simulation that has learned the lessons from previous titles and excelled for its latest release. Even if you aren’t into the ship simulation genre, Ships at Sea is still worth a try as there is a wealth of options to choose from that will keep you engaged. The harmonic music in the background, the waves lapping over the bow, sit back relax and enjoy the journey.

Written by: Mikey B