Pirates: The Legend of Black Kat

"Pack some fruit! Your gonna get scurvy from all the time you spend playing this game!"

To start off, I hadn't even known this game was coming out. Until the other night when I was in Wal-Mart and spotted it in the case. Now, judging by the cover, it looked cool. So, I came home got on Gamefaqs.com, read some reviews, read the boards and decided to return and bought it.

I am so glad I did. This game delivers in so many ways. I'll break it down for you..

Gameplay 9/10
This game plays so well. Everything is fluid. The adventure mode with Kat is great. You run along and nothing is overtly difficult. The block works wonders and anything she can't block, you have about a seconds warning. The ship battles, are amazing. Picking the birds eye or zooming in is a great feature. The only reason it doesn't get a perfect ten here is because the game does have some slowdown. Thankfully not a lot. It also gets a 9 because some people might have a hard time with the camera if they are not accustomed to analog. Which may make some battles harder. But, it doesn't hinder the player at all because the camera is automatically placed and is wonderfully done so.

Story 8/10
It's a pirate adventure game. So, in basing it on that knowledge it is very well written. You shouldn't expect a Final Fantasy, or a Xenogears depth of a story in a game featuring pirates.

It is also somewhat linear as in.. you must follow the story enough to open up more islands to explore. But, you're always able to go back.

Audio/Video 9/10
The background effects in ship mode are amazing. The entire ship mode in itself has beautiful graphics. From the explosion of a ship to the splash of a cannon ball. Breathtaking really.

Plus, you see everything on the shoreline, including small details.. like gravestones.

But, (there's always a but, no?) all that is hindered by the adventure mode. While I wasn't expecting Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, the audio and video effects here were a bit lacking. If you turn and face the sea, it's wonderful. You actually see the enemy ships sailing around. Plus, the fact that they're still there after boarding your ship is great! But, some of the textures were mediocre and all the slowdowns occurred in adventure mode.

Then there is the audio.. it is good don't get me wrong. But it gets repetitive.

Replayability 9/10
Oh yes. Even if you don't mind the 200 shells, (I couldn't remember how to spell their correct name.) or the endless amount of hidden chests.. The game is just fun. Which brings me to the next section..

Fun Factor 10/10
Oh dear lord yes! I don't care what your favorite type of game is. You will be enthralled with it. I can't say enough good things about this game. It is just that much fun.

Rent or Buy?
Buy. If you rent first, you're going to be mad at yourself for wasting that extra 5 bucks you could have spent on the game. It's that good.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/19/02, Updated 03/19/02