TransOcean 2: Rivals

TransOcean 2: Rivals is a strategy/simulator economic game released for PC, a sequel of the 2014’s TransOcean: The Shipping Company. The game was developed by Deck 13 Hamburg, which is a division of CI Games studio, known for many Ankh and Jack Keane series, Venetica, and Lords of the Fallen.

Plot

The game’s plot continues the story of the previous game. Players take the role of an owner of a seafaring company. Something had gone wrong with his career; his empire toppled, his former consultant and acquaintance, Hiram T. Whitespoon ended up in jail, and the man himself moved to Alaska to cut all ties with his former life. However, a need of revenge on a ruthless rival of his, Lydia Blythe-Smith, and an urge to help his friend, make him get back to the business of ship transport, face his enemies, and rebuild his empire.

Mechanics

At the beginning, players control a newly established seafaring company in one of 60 available ports, having only a small fleet at their disposal. In order to earn enough money to develop the company, players have to complete contracts on some smaller transports. This will allow them to open more offices around the world, and gradually enhance their fleet. Among available ships are majestic and enormous tanker ships, bulk carriers, and container ships. Each ship has its strong and weak sides, and is good for completing different kinds of tasks. To achieve success, players have to constantly make difficult decisions, having considered outside factors and operations of other companies. Much like in the previous game, the gameplay takes place on two levels: strategic and simulator. Apart from focusing on developing the company by realizing subsequent jobs, players can also take control over different types of ships in a series of diversified challenges. The game also has a system for upgrading the ships.

Game modes

TransOcean 2: Rivals has a couple of game modes, both for single- and multiplayer. Players can complete a six-chapter singleplayer career, as well as take part in a sandbox free-mode (endless), or compete with AI. In the multiplayer mode we face up to seven opponents in a struggle for economic dominance in different parts of the world. In this ruthless war, different tactics can be used, including sabotage.

Technical aspects

In terms of graphics, TransOcean 2: Rivals for PC is not much different than its two years older prequel. The strategic mode uses static, but very legible and aesthetic windows, allowing easy management of all the company’s aspects. In the simulator mode, the game does not venture beyond the genre’s standards, and offers nice, however modest graphics. A very nice addition to the game is a fully professional, orchestrated score.

Last updated on August 8, 2016