Pirates Of The Caribbean Gets An "Action RPG"

Oh look. Another new product announcement just days before E3. In this instance, for a big, proper game based on Pirates Of The Caribbean. Why, exactly, do we have the show again?

Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned is an "action RPG", being developed by Propaganda Games and to be published by, who else, Disney. You may remember Propaganda as the team behind the most recent Turok game, if that helps. Then again, if you played the most recent Turok game, it probably won't.

Rather than have you levelling up through the events of the film trilogy, Armada of the Damned acts as a prequel, and you won't be playing as any of the characters from the movies. You'll instead be playing as some guy, your standard RPG-type character who sets out in the world to make a name for himself.

Indeed, game director Alex Peters makes it sound like the films will barely be referenced at all, only mentioning "The original story takes place before and separate from the films, but being part of the universe means anything is possible". Which makes it sound like you may run into a location or character or two from the films, but don't expect to be scrubbing decks on the Black Pearl or making a grab for Davey Jones' heart.

So levelling-up, exploring and combat. It sounds more Sid Meier's Pirates! than Pirates of the Caribbean, with a little less emphasis on fleet management (and ballroom dancing), and a little more emphasis on skill trees and hit points.

Armada of the Damned is due for 360, PS3 and PC. Your guess on a release date is as good as ours.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned Unveiled [IGN]