10 Video Games That Secretly Teach Us History

Everyone loves pirates, swinging on ropes from ship to ship, engaging in daring duels, dying at an early age from grievous wounds and disease… One of these statements was true of real pirates. I’ll let you guess which one.

There are many fantastical depictions of pirates in games, films and other media but if you want the most realistic pirate depiction found in a game, then look no further than Sid Meier’s Pirates! Whether we’re talking about the original or the remake, this game has been enjoyed by many for over 30 years.

This game works as a simulation of seafaring life in the Caribbean in a period between the 16th and 18th centuries. You can work as a pirate, privateer or pirate hunter for yourself or a selection of different countries. The map is huge, allowing travel across the whole of the Caribbean, from the coast of Florida to the south-east coast of Trinidad.

The real joy of this game comes from the open-ended nature of it. While you begin working for one kingdom or another as a privateer, this loyalty can change as the game progresses. You can even choose to throw off the shackles of allegiance and go all out for yourself as a pirate, be warned though you will have few allies. Maybe violence isn’t your thing, well then why not just be a merchant, but remember you will be a target for the less scrupulous pirates.

Eventually, you will have to face the ultimate fate of any person, retirement! Let’s just assume that you haven’t died over the course of your campaign, well then how much influence and money you have will decide your fate. This can be as low as a beggar or as high as a king’s advisor. But the sea will always call to you.