The swashbuckling aspect works very well, and the Pirate class even has its own fighting style that uses "dirty" tactics like elbowing or hitting below the belt. Players use different moves to build up initiative, which enables complex moves. Instead of "health," players work to maintain balance, and some special moves trade between damage and balance. Things become tricky, sometimes frustrating, when more than one enemy gangs up on the character, since there aren't many moves that deal with more than one opponent at a time. Unfortunately, there's no place to run in the high seas, so players will have to fully commit to any skirmishes they engage in. Luckily, the game helps streamline some of the encounters by allowing players to simply take out a rival captain to win the ship.

When players move beyond the ship and sword fighting, they'll discover that the sea-faring life is a marathon, not a sprint. Players interested in sailing the Caribbean should evaluate what they want out of a MMO game before diving into Pirates of the Burning Sea due to its incredibly deep economic system. The majority of goods traded within the game are player made, including the best ships and equipment. Not only will players need to face enemies and complete quests, but they will also need to haul resources, refine and sell them to other players. Resources can suddenly spike in value if a port becomes contested, turning into a hot-spot for conflict. Players who know how to play these events and manage resources can make a ton of money, while others might suffer. However, this economic system could take months to mature, forcing most players to work with the weak "civilian" vessels to make their fortune until the cargo haulers and crafters get the economy fully underway.

With excellent graphics and deep player-driven gameplay, Pirates of the Burning Sea is the next best thing to taking a time machine to 1720. Port cities like Tortuga are wonderfully detailed, making them great fun to explore. Although the game offers a huge amount of territory to sail through, it's tough to imagine how it could expand with additional content months down the road, or if players will be left to evolve the game. Regardless, gamers should don their pirate hats and set sail in this enjoyable MMO.