The world map is viewed from an overhead perspective while the player sails between ports. Each voyage consumes supplies and crew stamina, and storms, reefs, hostile ships, and other hazards can disrupt travel.

At ports, the player buys and sells goods, repairs and upgrades ships, recruits crew, gathers information, and accepts assignments. Progress comes from building wealth, improving the fleet and officers, discovering locations, and completing objectives. Naval encounters use menu-driven commands rather than direct action controls.

Plan routes around profitable price differences, but keep enough money and cargo space for supplies and repairs. Check crew condition before long voyages, and avoid carrying more cargo than the ship can safely protect.

Improve ship capacity and combat readiness gradually. Information from ports and taverns can reveal useful destinations, rumors, and opportunities, so revisit important ports instead of sailing randomly.