What is the purpose of this game? What do you do in it? I've seen it in stores and never bought it because I had no idea what it was about so i'm curious.

The only purpose is to waste time and enjoy yourself. Go rent it, it's a blast! Why else play video games except to waste your time? If you have something better to do, then I guess you wouldn't be posting here.

Hehehe, well, aside from the obvious...

Pirates is a nifty adventure game wherein you play the role of the deadly pirate princess, Katarina de Leon. Your parents (well, more specifically, your mother) had something of a falling-out with another pirate, named Captain Hawke. Rumor has it that your mother, Mara, left an incredible treasure in a hidden island before she died. Captain Hawke wants it, and he'll do whatever is necessary to remove any obstacle in his way. That means you.

You must find Mara's legacy before Hawke does. In your quest, you will explore all sorts of island environments--idyllic beaches, haunted graveyards, cursed jungles, frozen wastes, and fiery volcanoes. Treasure is scattered EVERYWHERE, and Kat has a nose for it--she will indicate when there is treasure buried nearby. For self-defense, you will have your trusty sword (with which you can perform various nifty special attacks), as well as a wide variety of alternate weapons--everything from throwing knives to bombs, and even mystical artifacts like tikis that will unleash powerful elemental attacks and crystal skulls that will suck away your opponents' life force and add it to your own.

And all this is just for when you're running around exploring the islands on your own. In the process of GETTING to said islands, you will frequently engage in combat on the high seas! Captain Hawke's crew will be after you every step of the way, both on land and on sea. They've also taken over forts on various islands, which you will have to recapture for yourself--and when you do, they will attack incoming enemy ships without you even being there.

Some people have complained about this game being a bit too simplistic, or too repetitive. And truth be told, there is quite a bit of running around--you'll have to retrace your steps a lot, especially if you've missed a vital clue or item on an island you've already been to.

The combat system is quite easy, although camera angles in sea combat can be really annoying at times. There aren't really any of the "arcade-style" puzzles that adventure game fans tend to hate, with the exception of one optional jumping puzzle that isn't so much a puzzle as just a really hard jump. Music is a little scarce, but what is there is very good. The environments are nicely done, although some more detail in some places, especially the water, wouldn't be amiss.

All in all, Pirates is a swashbuckling good time (what, you thought I wasn't going to the word "swashbuckling" while ranting about this game? Hah!). It has its flaws, like every game, but they don't detract from the overall experience unless you're really anal. Go get it, it's fun.


Syndarr
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Hey I just got thi sgame, and I am actually suprised how fun it is.
it's not perfect but the ship battles are something really neat, and I would recommend this game to someone who wants and old school style platform game!

The game is sweet, it is just to have lots of fun and occupy time.