Winds Of Trade (2017)

Winds Of Trade is a strategic simulation game set in the 18th and 19th centuries, where you take control of a maritime trading company. The goal is to establish a thriving trade empire, but it’s not as easy as it seems. A variety of challenges like ruthless pirates, shady smugglers, warfare, and fierce competitors will test your ability to rise to the top of the trade world. Every decision you make can significantly impact your company's future, requiring a deep understanding of the economic and political landscape.

Main Features

Procedurally Generated Worlds

Each new game offers a unique world with varying challenges. Every city you encounter will have distinct production chains, which means no two playthroughs are alike. To succeed, you must learn how these chains interact and adapt your strategies accordingly. This ensures that every game is a fresh experience, filled with new obstacles and opportunities to explore.

Realistic Economic Simulation

The game is built on a robust economic system that responds to the fundamental laws of supply and demand. Prices fluctuate based on market conditions, making every transaction a calculated risk. Every raw material is sourced from a specific location, and every final product has a destination where it will be purchased. There are no artificial game rules here – it’s all about navigating a living, breathing market.

Smuggling

Trade isn’t always straightforward. Some goods that are freely available in certain cities may be deemed illegal in others. This opens up a potential opportunity for smugglers to take risks and gain extra profit. But remember, every illegal trade comes with its own set of challenges and consequences, making the decision to smuggle a risky but potentially rewarding choice.

Challenging AI Opponents

The game features intelligent artificial opponents who will actively work to thwart your progress. These smart competitors will push you to think strategically and adapt to their aggressive tactics as you strive to climb to the top. You will need to constantly innovate to stay ahead of them and dominate the markets.

Dynamic World Economy

The world economy in Winds Of Trade is not static. Events such as forest fires, bad harvests, or wars can significantly alter the supply, demand, and pricing of various commodities. This dynamic economy requires you to continuously monitor global events and adjust your trading strategies to maintain profitability and avoid losing everything in a sudden market shift.

Contracts System

In addition to regular trading, you can accept contracts from governments, private companies, or even dubious smugglers. These contracts offer the potential for extra profit, but failure to deliver could have serious consequences. The contracts system provides additional ways to grow your wealth, but it also presents risks you’ll need to weigh carefully.

Turn-Based Battle System

When transporting valuable cargo, you might encounter pirates who seek to rob you of your goods. The game features a turn-based combat system that allows you to defend your shipments. If you’re unlucky enough to be caught during wartime, transporting weapons or troops could lead to even more dangerous situations. Be prepared to fight to protect your wealth and your trade empire.

Found Your Own Colonies

Once you’ve accumulated enough power and resources, you can establish your own colonies. These colonies allow you to exploit natural resources and gain a competitive edge by playing with the rules of the market. Colonies provide a steady supply of goods, but they also require management and careful planning to ensure they thrive and continue to generate profit.

Warehouses and Market Manipulation

Control the flow of goods by managing your own warehouses. These warehouses allow you to store goods for later sale or to manipulate market prices. Accumulating a stockpile of goods can give you the upper hand, especially in times of scarcity, when you can sell at a premium price.

Ship Variety and Customization

The game features 11 different types of ships from the Age of Sailing, including brigs, galleons, fluyts, frigates, and schooners. These ships can be upgraded with new features and customized to fit your needs. You can also hire experienced captains to improve your ships’ stats, making them more efficient at transporting goods or better equipped for defense.

Automatic Trade Routes

Once your fleet grows large enough, you can set up automatic trade routes. This allows your ships to trade goods according to your preset instructions, making it easier to manage your growing empire. This feature frees you up to focus on other strategic aspects of your business, such as expanding your fleet or negotiating contracts.

Stock Market

For those looking to diversify their investments, Winds Of Trade offers a stock market feature. You can invest in companies, help them sell their goods worldwide, and collect the profits. This adds an additional layer of financial strategy, as you balance your trading empire with stock market investments.

Corruption and Bribery

In the world of Winds Of Trade, corruption is a tool you can use to gain an advantage. You can bribe corrupt governments to gain favor or manipulate certain situations to benefit your business. This adds an element of intrigue and moral flexibility to your strategies, as you decide whether to play by the rules or bend them for personal gain.

Dynamic Weather System

The game also includes a dynamic weather simulation, where weather patterns can affect your operations. Storms, rough seas, and other environmental factors may disrupt your trade routes, forcing you to adapt your plans accordingly. Being able to predict and plan around these events is crucial to maintaining a profitable trading operation.

Immersive Soundtrack

To complement the immersive gameplay, Winds Of Trade features a rich and atmospheric soundtrack. The music enhances the experience, drawing you deeper into the world of oceanic trade and strategy.

Highly Recommended

If you're a fan of strategy games with a deep economic system and challenging gameplay, Winds of Trade is definitely worth your time. The game offers a rich and dynamic world where every playthrough feels unique thanks to procedurally generated maps. The realistic economy, with supply and demand dictating prices, makes every decision critical. Add to that the thrill of smuggling, piracy, and managing your own trading empire, and you've got a game that's both complex and rewarding.

However, it's not without its challenges. Smart AI opponents and unpredictable world events can make it tough to succeed, but that's what makes it satisfying. Whether you're engaging in naval combat, managing a fleet of ships, or manipulating the market through your colonies, Winds of Trade keeps you engaged and constantly thinking. If you're ready for a deep strategy experience, this one is definitely for you!