I like the naval battles in this game.
But im gonna show an example of gameplay that feels very wrong.
"Here you are, 2 guys on a sloop grabbing some chests and probably 2-3 groggs.
On the horizon you see a galleon thats anchored near an island.
As a pirate you HAVE to test your luck.
'Port to starboard a ship i see!'
'Aye, aye, Captain!'
You now that your sloop is out gunned, but if you engage when they are on the island; you have just even the odds.
Since the pirates on the island is a good crew, they also look out on the horizon for trouble, while digging some gold.
When our sloop arrives there are 2/3 crew members on the galleon.
The sloop glides into firing range position. 'Fire! the captain yells'
4 shots fired, 1 good hit, 1 average hit, and 1 overshot and 1 dipped into the sea.
Now the third crewmember of the galleon made his way back.
They raise the anchor and starting to counter attack.
The sloop knows that they didn't get enough damage done by the first attack. To continue this attack, when the galleon already raised anchor and all thier crew is onboard, is suicidal.
So; 'Full sails!, the captain yells'
'Aye, aye, Captain!'
the sloop are trying to get away from the battle.
And it's now, the wierd part of the naval battle begins.
The galleon crews decision is not to let it rain cannonballs.
the crews decision is to let it rain crewmembers.
The galleon crew fires away themself aiming for a sloop.
Every time they miss: A nice teal coloured mermaid, with a torch that could be traveling to the next olympic game appears and ask; 'Would you like to go back to your ship?'
Instantly the crew get back on the ship getting ready to fire away again.
Everytime they hit the deck on the sloop, they are fighting over lowering the anchor. So that the sloop players if they die have to raise anchor, and in that time the galleon would have set up a full side attack with all that gun power the galleon has.
Maybe this whole story was a waste of time =P
Since this is my suggestion.
Dont let the mermaid help you unless you are WAY of your boat.
If you are in cannonballs range of your boat, you shouldnt be able to recall back. It's your fault that you rockedjumped straight into water. Start to swim or you have to wait until you nearly can't see your own ship.
The same thing goes while a crew are defending. They are chased. They jump in the water. Trying to climb the ladder of the chasing ship, and lower the anchor. If they miss the ship they just recall, then jump overboard again. Continuing to do so until they finally succeed.
Shouldn't fleeing and chasing be about great manoeuvres (a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care). ?
