High Seas Trader

High Seas Trader is a DOS game that continues the series from Impressions, following an earlier title called Merchant Colony. Players assume the role of a noble character beginning with little wealth, whose objective is to restore status and riches through maritime activities.

Core activities involve the acquisition and sale of various commodities, interacting with financial institutions and traders, and obtaining real estate. A ship serves as the primary vessel for these endeavors, and it can be customized with armaments, other gear, and a hired crew. Navigation is presented from a first-person viewpoint at the helm.

The setting is inherently challenging, as pirate vessels routinely patrol the waters to attack and plunder merchant ships. This threat requires players to manage both economic and defensive considerations while sailing.