I didn't get to play the alpha or any other previous play tests , besides this closed beta. And to top it off I only got to play about 2 hours last night due to matchmaking errors and not able to connect with a friend. But when it finally got us through and we spawned into the tavern for the first time and decided to drink two pints of grog and take a walk outside, I was just captured.
The attention to detail was mind blowing. Yes i know 2 hours isn't enough time to make a judgment, but I'd give this game at least a 9/10 already! I didn't know to do the same "drink, get drunk and try to walk outside", would be even more fun the second time when we had 3 of us for the first time, but it was. The laughter of everyone made me cry, it was just an experience. This isn't even to mention how beautiful the water is, the sounds, the distant hiccuping I can hear as I steer our ship, of my friends drinking below deck and the storms, love the sound of the rolling thunder and lightning. We decided to end our voyage with a song in the rain for a "fallen shipmate" and I got struck by lightning and it scared the hell out of me! But it was awesome!
I also had an experience of trying to pull our huge ship into the harbor, and right before I was going to yell "Drop the anchor!" my buddy decided to get sick on my face and I couldn't see! I freaked out and panicked to get us in safely but we ended up crashing into the island and taking damage. But again, it was awesome, and unexpected.
The game is beyond beautiful for me and I woke up this morning thinking about calling out of work , just to be back on my ship. Its amazing guys and thank you for making such an immersive experience for me and I cant wait to see what in store . Sorry for the long post :/
