At this point it is important to note that, contrary to what's printed in the manual - and a message displayed on screen, disc 2 is the play disc. This missprint is a cause for some concern - it certainly had us worried for a while, but hopefully it will be rectified in future.

There is no tutorial but really, none is required. The accompanying manual is more of a handy reference book than essential pre-game reading, and in addition to this there is an in-game "Pirate-o-pedia", an extensive lexicon of all things piratical for those with a true thirst for nautical knowledge. Gameplay is simple enough to come to grips with, which allows you to immediately jump in and play, referring to the manual when neccesary. The user interface is via keyboard and mouse, with most of the commands accessed from the numerical pad.

The cartoonish graphics and rollicking ditties immediately set the tone of the game, which remains light-hearted and colourful throughout. The opening cinematics set the scene for your character's unusual career path - he becomes a pirate captain after escaping the clutches of an evil Spanish baron who enslaved his family; ultimately leading a successful mutiny aboard a ship bound for the Caribbean. However, rescuing family members and wreaking revenge on those who wronged you is only one of the available options. You can also choose to be a merchant trader, running various commodities from port to port for profit, or if that particular lifestyle seems too tame, you can elect to be a pirate and make a living from plundering anything that floats.

When your newly acquired flagship reaches port there is a number of places to visit in town. The local governor initially gives you a letter of mark which legally entitles you to prey on enemy vessels and outposts. There are four nations to choose from: English, Spanish, French or Dutch, and because each country is invariably at war with at least one other there's no shortage of viable targets. The tavern is a good place to pick up tidbits of information, acquire crewmen, and possibly treasure maps or valuable artifacts from a shady-looking gentleman in the corner booth (for a price). The shipwright can repair your ship and outfit her with upgrades, and the trader is the man to see when you want to sell off your ill-gotten gains or buy supplies.

Once you've finished with the landlubbers you're ready to set sail in earnest. Sailing a ship involves keeping an eye on the wind direction and speed, the weather, the map, and of course, other vessels. Initially you'll be able to get by with just a few buttons on the keypad, but we guarantee that after learning some of the finer points of sailing, you'll be able to show off your nautical knowledge when the next America's Cup comes around.