I regularly find myself returning to this game. so what is it that almost make it a classic?

User Rating: 7.5 | Age of Pirates: Caribbean Tales PC
When originally released, I remember sitting and waiting for the patches required to make it start, load, run stable and fix all the things lacking, to come out. I was not impressed by the publisher then, as the game was clearly released prematurely. However, once the required patches were available, I think it is fair to say that the game is one of the few games I regularly revert to and as such it is a "classic". In my view this game has more depth and just as much atmosphere compared to Sid Meier's "Pirates!". Maybe not as much charm, but if you are one of those Horatio-Hornblower-wannabees who thinks that sea battles and continuous search for gold and glory is worth playing for, then this is definitely an option to try out.

I also like the rather simple trade system. It is not very sophisticated, but it is there and it allows me earn money when I am not looking for a fight.

The good: Lots of atmosphere, good graphics (particularly considering it's a few years now), time consuming naval battles and OK trading system.
The bad: Too few options for exploration onshore and formula-like conversation with people you run into. Sometimes missions are seemingly impossible, so keep a save-game before you start a new voyage or cross other "mile stones".

After experiencing sudden problems on several graphic cards with my old "Imperial glory" leaving me without a good naval battle game and only just recently having got hold of Empire Total War , I must say this game has filled a "naval battle gap". I think it must be the open sea atmosphere and the naval battles that probably explains why I consider it a classic.

Of course, I'd love to see people on the deck also when in first person mode, not just 3rd person, but it seems that time is ripe for a new version, so until AOP 2 is released I guess I'll keep AOP on my hard drive for a while longer.