I Kind of like Patrician 3 better. This is a good trading game don't get me wrong it just simplified it a little too much for my taste. One big problem I had with it was that you didn't have to train your captains to be able to start trade routes so you could instantly have profitable trade routes. This is a problem because it takes you out of the equation for actually trading. You could just build a new ship and set it on a trade route and make money. I liked it at first because it got me to higher ranks quicker but then I realized that it made the game get boring quick.

Overall I liked the game though. It was different than Patrician 3 but not too different nor did the difference change the way you played the game.

Patrician IV is a great game.

It keept me occupied for hours doing everyting from small to huge deals.

It is realy fun due to the fact that its not only a "buy here, Sell there" game, you get the options of building an own empire producing goods, handeling city affairs and chaising off pirates.

Tip to you people out there is to try setting up automatic traderoutes as soon as possible, game becomes hundred times easyer and you can instead focus on building your town and expanding your fame in the world. If you like this series you could also check out http://se.gamersgate.com/DD-EICG/east-india-company . Game is somewhat simular and works in the same mannor, only alot better grafics when it comes to battles.

Patrician IV is a great game.

I did't knew the Patrician series, but I see it recommended in a forum online and it got my interest. The background of the game is very interesting and the goal, become aelderman of the Hanseatic league is interesting.

The interface is user-friendly, better then the otter games of the series, but has a great complexity in its mechanics.

All in all a very fun game to play.

Patrician IV takes all of the guesswork out of the Patrician/Patrizier series. If you've ever tried a demo (or a "demo") of Patrician III and found the game daunting, I recommend heartily that you do *not* give Patrician IV a try instead, but rather give Patrician III the honest effort it truly deserves. After your steep learning curve, you'll find the game is far more immersive and satisfying; you'll soon begin to feel as though you are actually in the game (and the ability to watch your ship sailing into a port doesn't hurt, either).

Patrician IV feels very much like a "streamlined" version of Patrician III. Though normally this would be a good thing, it is "streamlined" by taking half of the guesswork out of the game and hand-holding you. The trading system is easier by eliminating the distinction between the pallet and barrel, ship holding capacities are increased, and a lot of everything seems to have been coated with a spit-shine: sure it might be more pretty, but that's just gross dude. Use Lysol.

If a simplified trading game set in the Hanse era is for you, then great; enjoy your experience. If you want something that is far more immersive, however, you'll want Patrician III instead. Since I bought Patrician III as part of a special bundle I unfortunately can't review the main copy, but do yourself a favour and get it instead. It's cheaper, and once you get used to it, you'll love it.

If they were attempting to make the game more approachable, they succeeded with flying colours. If they were trying to increase the depth and make a more satisfying game by adding another dimension to the graphics, they missed the mark -- especially because the added dimension to the graphics isn't as crisp and elegant as the careful hand-crafting that went into Pat3's isometric perspective.

Don't steer clear, but at least make sure you see the game's colours before you strike yours.

I'm enjoying this game, but I'm not quite sure it manages to top Patrician III.

In terms of graphics, I actually thought the 2D isometric art from Patrician III looked much nicer, although the 3D graphics aren't bad.

From a gameplay perspective, the auto-trade option in trade routes is a major plus, since it eliminates having to spend hours tweaking prices in all your routes and the economy is more forgiving - as long as you don't go too crazy you'll never drive yourself into bankruptcy. Another major plus for me is that pirates are satisfied with stealing your goods instead of sinking your trade fleets like they do in P3.

Definitely worth a purchase, but no quite enough to make me uninstall Patrician III.

At first, I was happy with my purchase of Pat4, but after getting bored with the game in just 3 days, I'd say the game is way overpriced.

Positives compared to similar games (pat3,PR2):

better graphics and sound

Negatives:

Lack of content

No way for a human player to loose a naval battle, unless

asleep

Max. 3 ships per side in naval battles

Massive framerate slowdowns in naval battles due to excessive smoke

i am fan of patrician games.And also economic games.İf you like making money and building economic empire games you are right place..

if you think to start ,give this game a chance.

Here is Good and Bad

+++ One of the best money managment mechanic

++ Bulding firms and part of city feeling is very good.

++ Lots of goods to produce and sell

++ Better automate trade routing than other games.

-- hope to see what people thinking about me and city at cities like older editions of patrician.

--- War mechanics and graphics are very bad.

Last words : Someone says price is high for this game.Maybe right but there not much this kind games.So if you like the theme,its worth his price.Lets combine conquest of americas war mechanics with patrician4 economic mechanic...Hımm sounds good.

It's actually my first Patrician I have ever played. Had a chance to pre-order it with the previous verison (3). I can only say that Patrician 4 is a really amazing. If you like trade games, I would highly recommend it!

Depending on your preference Patrician III is better for hard core stratergy gamers. Patrician IV is a slightly more easier version of the same game.

Anyone familiar with previous installments will feel right at home. Graphics are deffinately better and the 3D is nice, although unnecessary in my opinion. More stratergy options would have been my preference. Ok for $40 dollars. IMHO would be better to wait for a sale.

For me, this game was a big disapointment. The graphics are okay, but not spectacular. The interface is, for me, almost as good as the one for Patrician 3. But they have omitted my favorite way to play Patrician. I don't really care for campaigns as rule, because when you finish them it seems kind of pointless to play again. I really like the option in Pat 3 where I could set the terms of the game in terms of years and goals. I'm very competitive, and I liked the fact that it gave me a score I could compare with previous games. In Pat 4, the "Free Play" option has no way to do that. I guess you are just supposed to play until you get bored with it. I do like the music though.

You take part of a Hansa merchant (this should be enough reason to all to buy this game) and you try entablish a merchant empire in northern Europe (England, Scotland, Belgium, current Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Novgorod (Current Russia)) and become the most succesfull and powerfull man in Hansa.

Game have one most excelent economy system and deep versatile gameplay and progression system, every time you achived something you found there more to achive.

Excelent must buy game. Absolute one best merchant game what there is. Those of you who have played Patricia III, I must say that this game is same but so much more.

Patrician IV is my first Kalypso game. My thoughts are mixed as to whether or not to recommend this game. It is obviously an addictive and quite complex grand strategy game, but the potentially game-killer is the constant and random "not responding" freezes or the crash to desktops.

In my opinion, the 40$usd is a substantially high price for the quality you get.