In that engagement, on my first day of playing Naval Action, I was fighting like I was in an AssassinвЂ™s Creed IV: Black Flag battle, but Naval ActionвЂ™s combat model is considerably more complex and flexible. IвЂ™d like to think that if that battle took place now, IвЂ™d have a good, or at least better, chance of winning. My ship slows, my rudder becomes useless, and then the water starts pouring in. As the din of cracking and booming cannons filled the ocean, smoke cloaks my enemies, and the wooden hull of my ship starts to look like Swiss cheese. To battle, then.Д«y calling it a battle, IвЂ™m probably inflating my worth. I flee, of course, but by turning around, IвЂ™m now sailing against the wind, and my foes catch up to me rapidly. ActuallyвЂ¦ itвЂ™s not, because before I spot my first plump trader, I notice a less welcome sight on the horizon: player-controlled Spanish ships designed for fighting, not trading. Rum! Cigars! Dastardly Spanish ships! I begin my hunt for trading vessels вЂ“ itвЂ™s time to get rich. Despite my doubts, IвЂ™ve finally made it to Cuba.

ThereвЂ™s no soundtrack at the moment, but the noise of creaking timber, lapping waves and the Caribbean breeze accompanies me. But the illusion is especially believable because Naval Action sounds so damn authentic. IвЂ™m listening to sea shanties on Spotify and IвЂ™ve poured myself a glass of rum. My map provides me with lots of information вЂ“ port locations, trading opportunities вЂ“ but not where I am. As Jamaica vanishes behind me, and thereвЂ™s nothing on the horizon but the intimidating sea, I start to get nervous.

In game-time, IвЂ™ve been travelling for days.

Naval action free