1869 is a game about port trading in the mid-19th century. The whole point of the game is to travel around the world, trading with different ports in different continents to make as much money as you can. The game is a bit tricky to understand at first; it can be a bit confusing. After one gets the hang of it though, the game gets easier to play. It seems a bit similar to other commercial trading games, just with a Civil War Era feel. The graphics are pretty good for its time and are drawn very well.
Like all commercial trading games, the game requires a bit of experience to truly get good at and master. Certain ports have certain functions and it takes time to learn which trading routes to use during certain times. Some events need to be handled in particular ways to get the money you need. So, like stated before, the game is a little tricky. The game also isn't a really fast-paced simulator like a few others, but more of a laid-back atmosphere that you can log hours into. Events really make the game more unpredictable, like having your ship stolen at port, and a bit of chance is used in determining what happens. Chances are really a major factor of the game, as in life, with things like goods spoiling on the way to delivering them, or war zones appearing and shipping weapons to them.
1869 is better, in my opinion, than many other commercial simulators, because of its realistic factor. It just seems much more balanced. One minute you could be rolling in cash and the next minute you could be struggling to make even the slightest amount of money.
I recommend 1869 for those who love trading simulators since 1869 was truly a new experience for me the first time I played it. I've played many trading simulators, and many of them seem to just lose me midway into the game because the game is either too easy or the gameplay is just too grinding and monotonous. 1869 is different though, and I was really able to stay with the game and keep up its pace. My friend who really wasn't into trading simulators played it and even he liked it. I can't guarantee everyone will like it, but I think it's easily understandable. 1869, overall, is a pretty cool game compared to other simulators.
Written by:
~EhnSixtyFour
