Patrician IV: Rise of a Dynasty

The main pros of the game

• Improved User Interface: Many users appreciated the better UI and clearer explanations of features compared to earlier versions.
• Economic Gameplay: The game’s economic mechanics, such as supply and demand, and the planning of trade routes were highlighted as enjoyable aspects.
• Cooperative Multiplayer: The addition of cooperative multiplayer mode allows players to engage with friends, enhancing the social aspect of the game.
• City Development: Players enjoyed the city-building aspect, finding it engaging to develop cities and manage trade routes.
• Nostalgic Appeal: Long-time fans of the series noted that it still captures the essence of the original games, providing a familiar experience.

The main cons of the game

• Technical Issues: Users reported frequent crashes and bugs that disrupt gameplay, with no apparent support for fixes from developers.
• Mandatory Account Creation: The requirement to create a Kalypso account to play the game has frustrated many players, especially for a title that is over 20 years old.
• Simplified Gameplay: Compared to earlier entries in the series, many felt that the gameplay had been overly simplified, particularly in ship management and combat systems.
• Limited Features: Some users expressed disappointment with the removal of certain features, such as the ability to manage individual ships and the complexity of combat, which they felt diminished the overall experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Enhanced Combat Options: Players missed having more control over ships during battles and the ability to capture multiple ships, which was a feature in earlier games.
• More Building Types and Tech Tree: There were requests for a more diverse range of buildings and a more complex technology tree in city development.
• Localization: Several users noted the absence of a Spanish language option, which they felt should be included to cater to a broader audience.
• Depth in Gameplay: Some players felt that the depth of gameplay, particularly in terms of city management and pirate interactions, was lacking compared to previous titles in the series.

Summary

• Overall, while Patrician IV: Rise of a Dynasty has its strengths, particularly in economic gameplay and user interface improvements, it also faces significant criticism regarding technical issues, simplifications in gameplay, and missing features that fans of the series have come to expect.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025