New Horizons Overview
Uncharted Waters: New Horizons is a sailing simulation set in the early 16th century, a period defined by maritime exploration and trade. The experience is framed through six distinct character scenarios, each providing a unique narrative motivation for taking to the seas. These include a Portuguese noble's son sent on a voyage of discovery, a Spanish officer turned pirate seeking revenge, an indebted Italian spy, a Dutch geographer funded to map the world, an Ottoman orphan aiming to build a trading fortune, and a British admiral commissioned as a privateer.
Core gameplay involves navigating a top-down world map, where a ship's speed is influenced by wind, currents, and crew condition. Players can sail to various ports, each containing buildings like Inns, Taverns, and Shipyards that offer specific services and trade goods. Sustaining a voyage requires managing finances to pay and feed the crew, maintain the fleet, and purchase supplies. Income is generated through multiple avenues such as transporting cargo, completing guild contracts, engaging in naval battles, and gambling.
Naval combat shifts the perspective to a turn-based strategic mode, where positioning ships for cannon fire or boarding actions is key. A specific encounter between opposing flagships can trigger a one-on-one duel, which is resolved in a side-view sequence where players select combat maneuvers like strike or parry. The overall structure allows players to explore freely, discover new locations, and pursue their character's specific goals across the game's interconnected storylines.
