Merchant Prince 2 Review (no fat)

Game Description

The test of time is no match for the superior gameplay of Holistic Design’s Merchant Prince 2, an enhanced re-release of the strategy classic Merchant Prince. Updated graphics, improved gameplay, and a broader platform support widen the availability of this title to players everywhere.

Merchant Prince 2 Story

Set in the renaissance, the gamer is hurled into a world where power is gained by money. Being the strongest is only part of the battle, and players will soon learn the influence of the mighty coins, or ‘Florins’ as the game calls it. Hard work and keeping your enemies closer will help you in your quest to victory.

Merchant Prince 2 Gameplay

Proper trade route management decides the winner in Merchant Prince 2, with a buy low sell high strategy. Relying more on stats than an actual graphical representation, non-strategic gamers may become a bit overwhelmed with the options available.

Trial and error will help you in the game (but not intended, in Merchant Prince’s case). Gameplay can last up to 200 turns, with the winner the first to collect 1 million florins. Campaigns across Europe, Asia, and the New World will keep you busy.

You will spend majority of your time gaining power through politics, force, religion, and various other methods. A big chunk of your influence can come from government, as every 10 years 10 Senators select a Doge. A funny name is tagged, but the position is extremely powerful.

The Doge hires in four positions, and sets their spending limit for the coming term. The new Minister of Construction, Admiral of the Fleet, Council head, and General make up the appointed group. Players are only allowed one seat at a time, but even so, having control of any wields an advantage. Each member has a special ability, and even just the position of General alone will give you the ability to buy whatever land forces you want.

On the more complicated side of things is the actual trading, you submit to supply and demand so your wealth largely depends on who you cater to and how much. It sounds easy, but random AI events such as robbery, disease, and even storms will prevent and sometimes make you lose all your profit.

Merchant Prince 2 - At your Disposal

Force is an available option in your trading; it will become necessary to hire mercenaries, assassins, and in some extreme cases use your wealth to have popular religious figures in your back pocket.

Exploring can uncover holy relics and hidden territory. New in Merchant Prince 2 is the technology tree, that when used with your exploring, can completely give you an edge over your rivals. Merchant Prince’s technology tree works differently than other games, you simply buy what you want, and there is rarely a prerequisite. With over 30 advancements to choose from, including hiring Michelangelo as your personal painter to raise popularity, you are sure to find winning mixtures with the fortune you accumulate.

Merchant Prince 2 Graphics

Merchant Prince 2 is an ‘enhanced’ Windows version of a DOS classic, and the graphical enhancements are so minimal it can be counted on your hand. Raising the resolution without improving the graphics makes already muddy looking graphics look, well, bleached and still muddy.

It is possible to assassinate in Merchant Prince, but without a properly done visual representation, it really kills the thrill.

Merchant Prince 2 Sound

Classic music for a classic game, MP 2’s music may move some while harming others. It is similar to classical Final Fantasy music on an old game boy, which you can hum to for an hour then have to turn off later on.

Adding voice-over's would have enhanced gameplay, but was not on the developer’s task list.

Merchant Prince 2 Summing up

Not a sequel, but an update for modern computers makes Merchant Prince 2 lacking seriously in a genre that has since grown. Interface and directions are completely incoherent at times, and even with multiplayer you will find that you’re the only one taking advantage of ‘simultaneous turn-based playing’

There seriously isn’t, or never were enough players to justify any type of multiplayer for the game. And with the pace Merchant Prince moves, there never will be.

Even with the Windows update, there are still reported bugs, and an AI that is leagues behind current PC AI. With a lack of human players, and lack of a competitive computer challenge, there really is little reason to give Merchant Prince 2 a serious look.

Merchant Prince 2 - Cost

MP 2 retails for $5.00, at the time of writing.