If you think Pirates are better than Ninjas, or if you just want something to do when your Internet Connection mysteriously goes down, the Dread Pirate board game is an awesome option. As avid fans of everything involving Pirates, the staff here at TechAbsorbed particularly enjoyed this review!

"Dread Pirate" Board Game Review

Item Provided By: Front Porch Classics
Retail Price: $50.00 (BookShelf Edition) $100.00 (Deluxe Edition)
Review Date: 3/3/05
Review Author: Rusty Newton

Review Sponsored By: Front Porch Classics

Front Porch Classics, a publisher of several wonderfully detail boardgames, has
given us the opportunity to review their unique game "Dread Pirate".
Based on Pirate lore and history the game is purported to be exquisitely detailed
and of the highest quality.

IN THE BOX

 Excellent Packaging:

 The box the game comes in is amazing, lavishly covered in detail with drawings and high quality photos. Many items I have reviewed would make excellent gifts because of their unique features or looks, and the Dread Pirate boardgame would make a particularly exceptional gift especially for a youngster or teen who loves Pirates!

 The product packaging in itself is a display set for the game and retailers will definitely attract customers when they set it up in their book or gaming store.

 As can see all the components of the game come arranged neatly inside a Real wood treasure chest. Yes that is REAL wood, it is very high quality wood also. I know because I tried to scratch it in the name of science!

 What do you find in a pirates treasure chest?:

 Heres whats included in the Dread Pirate (Deluxe Edition) that Front Porch Classics has sent us:

• Cloth playing map
• 3 wooden die
• 50 "gold" doubloons
• 100 jewels
• 4 treasure bags
• 52 dread pirate cards
• 1 wind die
• 4 die-cast ships
• 4 ship cards

 
(left) Bookshelf Edition, (right) Deluxe Edition

 It should be doubly noted that this is the "Deluxe Edition" of Dread Pirate. There is also a Bookshelf edition that comes in a uniquely designed Book style container.

 The Bookshelf edition is about $50.00 cheaper but seems to include all the same game pieces. The only difference is that the Deluxe Edition comes in a real wooden treasure chest.

DESIGN & FEATURES

 Wooden Treasure Chest:

 Ahh the treasure chest. When most people think of pirates they synonymously think of Treasure!

 
(left) Treasure Chest, (right) Inside the lid.

 Front Porch Classics did well in their recreation of a classic Pirate's treasure chest. It may be smaller than the ones you see in the movies but quality none the less.

 The chest is made of real wood and appears to be lacquered and stained with expert craftsmanship. It is heavy for such a small box, but that just adds to the sturdiness of it. There certainly won't be any accidental breaking of this treasure chest.

 When I opened the wooden chest I got a whiff of wood smell that made me feel as if I was standing on the deck of Portuguese 34 gun Galleon, sailing off to conquer some petty merchants. Well okay maybe it wasn't that dramatic but the wood smell really adds to it! =)

 Pirate Map:

 The other item that goes with Pirates and Treasure is of course the infamous Treasure Map!

 The treasure map included is made of actual Cloth, not paper or a board like all the other "poser" pirate games. The printing on the Map is extremely detailed and designed just how a treasure map should be with sea monsters and all.

 Serving as the game board, the treasure map does need to sit on a flat surface. On thin carpet it still works fine though because of the high quality game pieces.

 Pirate Ships:

Typical with any board game is plastic game pieces. Well not with Dread Pirate!

 Click on the pictures to get a closer look and you will see that these are not your average plastic, breakable game pieces. These pirate ships are cast in solid metal. You will FEEL the quality when you pick up a piece and see how heavy it is.

 Front Porch Classics was not just thinking about aesthetic value when they designed these pieces. The weight of the pieces helps them to stand on the cloth game map when you have it on a softer surface such as carpet.

 Pirate Booty:

 Pirates, Treasure Chests and Treasure Maps. Now what is missing? THE TREASURE! ARGGHH HAR HAR HAR. I apologize, too much sniffing the wooden chest has me in Pirate Land.

 Dread Pirate comes with some great treasure including Gold Doubloons and Gemstones. I was again surprised by the quality of the treasure.

 The replica Doubloons are cast metal. They make a sweet clinking sound of course, so its fun to hoard your treasure and let it trickle out of your hands whilst you yell "ARGGHH" and mock your opponents!

 You might have seen the Gemstones before, they are your typical fishbowl type colored glass gems. They make perfect pirate gems to go along with your doubloons.

 To top it off, four velvet bags are included for each player to hold their treasure.

Other Game Elements:

 A couple of other things come with Dread Pirate that are important to gameplay.

 You have the Dread Pirate cards which are events that happen when you sail across certain locations on the map. These add a touch of chance to the game.

 Wooden dice, also called Knuckle Bones in the olden days, are used for determining movement and other actions such as ship to ship combat or raiding a port. They are made a very light, rough wood which again adds to the feel and depth of this amazing detailed game.

TESTING

Gameplay:

 Gameplay is simple and quick. The rulebook does include advanced rules for those who wish to play a longer or more interesting game. I would really suggest using the advanced rules which adds things like the element of Wind to the game which can blow your ships off course or force you to sail a certain route.

 The game system is designed at its base to be very simple and not a complicated game.
It's the type of game you would play while having some coffee or drinks with friends. ( maybe some ALE? or GROG? HAR HA RHAR ARGGHh )

 For testing we got together with some people of different ages and played a few games. The games went smoothly with everyone understanding the rules and being able to play.

 About the only thing I did not like about the game is that it's only Four player. It would be MUCH funner with about 6 or 8 players. It's one of those backstab your friend HAHA I stole your treasure games that get better with more people. I am sure you intelligent people could improvise and change the rules or add on a map and pieces to allow for more players though.

CONCLUSION

 Dread Pirate is overall a game designed for its look and feel. The value of the simple and quick gameplay is boosted by the feeling you will get while playing the game. Front Porch Classics did an excellent job of adding "Atmosphere" to a board game which is a difficult thing to do. The quality of the game pieces, wooden chest, map, treasure, dice are amazing to say the least. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a show-off game for guests, or a great functional piece of decor for a study or family room.
As I said in the beginning it would make the Perfect gift for a Pirate lover. =]

PROS 
• Quality of the Game Elements, Such as real Metal replica Gold Doubloons.
• Very Simple for anyone to learn and play.
• Attention to detail, the gameboard is even a cloth pirate map.
• Would make an awesome piece of Decor for a study or living room coffee table.  

CONS
• Simple gameplay will not hold the interest of avid boardgamers.
• More expensive than a typical boardgame.

FINAL RATINGS

Front Porch Classics Provided this product for review and
deserves our Thanks and support!