Genre: Real-time Strategy
Developer: Hothouse Creations
Publisher: Eidos Interactive, Sold Out Sales & Marketing Ltd.
Year: 1999
Platform: Microsoft Windows
Cutthroats: Terror on the High Seas is a real-time strategy game developed by Hothouse Creations and published by Eidos Interactive in 1999. The game is set during the 17th century in the Caribbean Sea, a period known as the golden age of piracy. Players assume the role of a pirate captain, navigating both land and sea to engage in various activities such as raiding towns, capturing ships, and searching for treasure.
The game features a dynamic environment where players can choose to sink or capture enemy ships, raid towns, or recruit new crew members. With over 70 ports and towns to explore, the game offers a vast open world for players to interact with. The real-time strategy engine allows for simultaneous battles on land and sea, providing a unique blend of strategic gameplay.
Cutthroats is known for its open-ended gameplay, allowing players to sail anywhere at any time. The game starts with a small ship and a modest crew, but as players progress, they can expand their fleet and recruit additional crew members. This progression adds depth to the gameplay, offering a sense of growth and achievement.
Despite its ambitious design, the game received mixed reviews. Critics praised its innovative concept and the freedom it offered players but noted issues with bugs and technical problems that affected gameplay. Over time, the game has gained a cult following, with some players expressing nostalgia for its unique approach to the pirate genre.
