First look: Tortuga: Pirates of the New World

Ascaron Entertainment has recently updated its official Web site with the first information on Tortuga: Pirates of the New World. The strategy game, for which no release date has currently been announced, will challenge players assuming the role of either a buccaneer or a pirate to lead their chosen nation to victory at a time when the seas between England, Spain, Holland, and France are treacherous at best.

The gameplay in Tortuga will be open-ended, with the four playable nations and four different time periods making for a total of 16 different scenarios. Players will start the game with a small reserve of money and only a single basic ship, but, as they progress by completing missions or raiding other ships, they'll be able to acquire more powerful vessels capable of conquering the 60 towns and cities that feature in the game. Around 14 different types of ships will be available to players, and sea battles in the game will be fought using a real-time 3D engine.

Tortuga: Pirates of the New World will cater to seafarers of all abilities and, in addition to five difficulty settings determined by the player's choice of nation and time period, will feature a tutorial mode for beginners. We'll bring you more information on the game as soon as it becomes available.