It's not often that someone produces a game with such exceptional build quality and that's such great fun to play. The moment you open the solid wooden box of the standard version, or the booty filled Captain's Chest version, and feel the weight of the metal galleon pieces, the bags of doubloons and piles of coloured glass 'jewels', you know you're onto a winner.
Dread Pirate is a game of buried treasure, high-seas trading, cannon battles, hungry sharks and cut-throat play. The aim is to become the best pirate, amass the greatest fortune and crush your enemies - you can win by successful legitimate trading, or by trying to plunder jewels and coins from opposing captains and their ships (which sounds riskier but more fun!). The game takes place on a beautifully printed cloth map where islands, coves and treacherous seas are yours to explore, conquer, or become lost in. Dread Pirate is a wonderful family game, built the way games used to be. The Captain's Chest version has larger ships and doubloons, a larger map, and of course everything is packed into a chunky wooden chest.
- Based on the depictions of Captain Arthur Howell, the most famous privateer to attempt to rid the oceans of pirates in the 17th centaury.
- Instruction manuals included.
- 2 to 4 players.
- Ages 8+
Contents:
Dread Pirate Game:
- Aged wooden book storage case.
- Quick start guide.
- Fabric playing board 78 x 56 cm.
- 3 x wooden die.
- 50 x gold doubloons.
- 4 x velvet treasure bags filled with coloured glass jewels.
- 52 x Dread Pirate Cards.
- 1 x Wind die.
- 4 x die cast ship markers.
- 1 x Jolly Rodger Flags.
Dread Pirate Captain's Chest:
- Aged wooden chest.
- Quick start guide.
- Large fabric playing board 90 x 60 cm.
- 3 x wooden die.
- 50 x weighty gold doubloons.
- 4 x velvet treasure bags filled with chunky coloured jewels.
- 52 x Dread Pirate Cards.
- 1 x Wind die.
- 4 x large die cast ship markers.
- 4 x ship cards.
- Chest size: 27 x 22 x 13cm.
Reviews Posted Before Our Rating System Began (Prior to 12th Oct '09)
I came back from holiday to find the best present ever had been delivered! Everyone wants to play it and I think I'll have to buy some eye patches, hats and swords now - I can see hours of fun with this.
June E, Ryton
Not only does it look like it's been around forever, it HAS been around forever! My boyfriend, now 52, has had it since he was 12. It really brings out the competitive greed in him like nothing else I have seen. He gives me (the newbee) false information and "insider tips" on how to play the game... but guess who always wins, eh! Blimey! It caused the first real rift in our six years! After that he dumped it, but I'll be getting him the new version for Christmas this year to show him that I'm a good sport. Then shiver me timbers if I don't whip him at his own game!
Carole D, Amersham
We regularly play games as a family and with friends, and have a large board game collection! This game looks impressive and the build quality is second to none. This is a lovely tactile pirate plundering adventure game, with gold, jewels, history and lots of fun on the high seas!
H Dickinson, Barton
hehe love this game!! we have added a pirate hat to the flag the dread pirate gives - trust me, everyone's after that hat!! :P fab game :D
Lusi, IOW
This game is great fun and easy to play. I bought it for my husband and it now has the seal of approval from all his friends. The only problem is that it makes grown men act like children when thay are playing and all because they've got to have the flag!
Jayne, Gloucester
Me and my boyfriend are pirate crazy so I guess it was only a matter of time before someone bought us this game.
We got it as a joint Christmas present off our best friend and were astounded by the presentation and the build.
We started looking at it and, like good kids, read the rules first. We kind of got put off by the full rules as they seem long and we got quite distracted. After we managed to read them and we started playing the game the length of the rules was completely forgotten and the competitive streak took over.
There was only 2 of us playing but it is one of the best games I have ever played.
My boyfriend always wins at games and this one was no different but the fact that I got to skirmish his ship and attempt to be Dread Pirate also made it much less painful when he kept winning.
All in all it is an amazing game and you should take time to read the long rules because it really is worth it. So yeah, GREAT GAME!
Tina P, Newcastle
I bought this for my boyfriend's 21st. I opened the box when it arrived to make sure it wasn't damaged and was extremely impressed by the quality of the contents. I just know he's going to love it! I highly recommend this item for any collector of games and all things piratey!
Katie, Bolton
