When I first started playing Airship: Kingdoms Adrift, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia that I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Then it clicked—this game feels just like Sid Meier’s Pirates!
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Memory Lane with Sid Meier’s Pirates!
Sid Meier’s Pirates! holds a special place in my heart as one of my favorite childhood games. In my opinion, it’s one of the greatest open-world games ever made, exuding a kind of charm that’s hard to find. Airship: Kingdoms Adrift captures some of that magic, which is why it drew me in so quickly.
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Exploring the World of Airship: Kingdoms Adrift
Open World Exploration
The world in Airship: Kingdoms Adrift used to be similar to our own, with vast oceans and towering mountains. However, after a devastating calamity, everything changed. Now, continents that were once grounded have floated up into the sky, much like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but with a steampunk twist instead of magic.
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The Combat System: A Blend of Old and New
Combat Encounter
When I say the combat feels “old,” I mean it in a good way. It’s reminiscent of naval combat games from the 2000s—responsive, engaging, and most importantly, rewarding. But make no mistake, Airship: Kingdoms Adrift is far from simple. The combat system is multilayered and gets more challenging as you unlock new customization options. Even changing your ship’s officers can significantly alter your playstyle.
Ship Customization
The ship customization screen might seem overwhelming at first. Without the tutorial gunboat, I’d have been lost. The system might not be entirely original; it’s similar to what you find in Starsector, but perhaps not as complex. However, the real beauty lies in how you use it. Every part of your ship is customizable, letting you create vessels that are as unique—or unseaworthy—as you like. Thankfully, because we’re in the air, seaworthiness isn’t an issue here.
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Charming Storyline
Dialogue Screen
The story in Airship: Kingdoms Adrift unfolds mainly through dialogues. For a game to effectively tell a story this way, it needs three things: relatable interactions, good voice acting, and a cast of charming characters. Thankfully, this game ticks all those boxes. The characters may follow certain tropes, but they’re still relatable. Plus, many of the interactions are voice-acted, and I rarely find myself skipping the dialogue.
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Not All Perfect
World Map
While Airship: Kingdoms Adrift has many strong points, it also has its downsides. One big issue is the user interface. The map is the only place where you can find detailed reports, which makes managing multiple quests confusing. Good luck figuring out where everything goes if you pick up too many tasks.
Crash Report
Additionally, I experienced an unexpected crash while playing, which caught me off guard. Such technical hiccups can be frustrating and detract from the overall experience.