I liked this game quite a bit. It does the whole trade thing pretty well. It's definitely one of the better economy games released recently. It not only allows you to build ships and set up trade routes but also allows you to build colonize and maybe be a pirate if you want. I'll go into some pros and cons:

Pros:
-You aren't stuck playing the economy game. You can play a military game by being a pirate or fighting with other countries.
-The game does the trading really well. The amount of resources aren't overwhelming (although the amount also isn't very impressive either). It's easy to just jump into the game.
-There is a good amount of ships and you can customize each one you build by spending a little extra money.

Cons:
-The colony management is a little too simplistic. It does add to the game but it is only picking a building you want to build from a list.
-There are only limited colony spots that you can build colonies on. I would've liked to just see where the resources were and build a colony accordingly.
-You have to buy the resources from your colonies to sell them in the Home Country (Europe) and, as far as I can tell, you can't trade with other colonies. Instead you trade resources via diplomacy but those resources can only be traded via diplomacy and you cannot sell them in Europe. Because of this it is very possible to go negative and you can't do anything about it.

All in all it's a fun game and I would recommend it. Especially now (11/27) with a sale going on. Certainly worth the $4 for the base and $6 for the complete.

This is an amusing game that makes me think of what you would get if you simplified Empire: Total War. Basically you set up cities in the new world, and trade with the home port to grow your economy, eventually waging war (either actual or economic) with the other colonial powers to conquer the americas. the mechanics are straightforward, every building and ship costs maintenance, and all the raw materials and finished good provide income. setup stable trade routes, bring colonists and soliders from the home port and you are set. the graphics are low, but its fun if you like this sort of gameplay.

the controls are simple, and the menus make sense, once you get the hang of it its fun to repeat play because there are different ways to win.

it is a cheap game though, so there are strange shortcuts that are missing, there are a lack of notifications about current events each turn, although there are popups they are usually reminders about failing a mission or a new missoin

that can get annoying for some because well into the game there are a lot of things to keep track of, basically you can set up a trade route bringing ppl and goods in different directions (growing and defending settlements, satisfying needs) but the route you take and the time matter (especially once a good runs out) if you dont mind having to check every turn every single part of your empire because nothing lasts that long then this game is great

i actually didnt care that i kept running things into the ground, i never won, but it was interesting to set up trade routes that eventually failed only to have someone declare war on you

Despite being a bit enjoyable at its best, this maritime strategy game is scuttled by a very slow start and a lack of depth. Peculiar challenges and a good managerial dimension have to compare with a poorly detailed graphics and an excessive selling price.Strong naval combat is marred by shallow trade and town management.Instead of wrestling with rival nations, you'll tussle with unruly advisors in this naval trading sim.The lack of a tutorial is also not a great selling point.The Age of Discovery has enough excitement and intrigue to fill a hundred video games, just not this timid and repetitive strategy game.Overall, I'd give it a 5/10.A waste of money if you ask me.

Indigenous Genocide Simulator 3000

Do not listen to the low rating, for the price you pay, I garuntee you'll vote it as at least a 90!