as a big fan of the other Pirates release... I was very excited for this chance to play. Game play is all better, and it maintains the fun factor I so enjoyed in the first version I played.

Maps - nice work. They look good. You all know if there is a place to get cement shoes and get stuck , I'll find it.. I didn't find too many. one up on the mountina over looking the flag you attack via the cave.
got a boat stuck once, but that too is a given for me.

lag - some folks complained about lag, but I didn't notice any at all, no matter the map... everything was pretty smooth.

Kits - all played pretty well from what I could tell. Its certainly an adjustment, flat out missing people at close range. I did notice after a couple maps, folks seams to prefer, and flocked to the carpenter kit. When I see that many people swarm to a kit... it makes me feel like maybe there is a perceived advantage with that kit. So maybe that should be looked at.
The marksman rifle scope really gets you in close, dang!
I wasn't able to heal anyone... the canon gunner kit was funny to see a canon appear from no where. reload takes along time, no matter the kit, so you better be quick on the switch weapon button.

VOIP - well, for TG style we'll need that.

other various stuff:

Zombie mode - uhm, interesting... not my cup of tea though. it was an interesting change, but really kinda doesn't fit the TG model.

Capture the Flag - interesting, as all CTF sessions are. we had some problems with team balance on this.

Sea battle focus maps - interesting but its hard to get some boats turned. At one point I went out of bounds cause the boat was initially headed in that directions I couldn't get it turned fast / hard enough. the row boats with canons are still a blast to fire. I thin I would try and adjust steering, not for realism, but for easing the frustration factor, for the masses.

balloons and aircraft - interesting and campy, the rendering in the balloon was odd. if you "e" out of using a canon on the balloon you sort of are stuck up there, catching your own balloon pilots fire. no matter what you try and do.

maybe what I like about pirates is the natural order of too many snipers is gone. : ) lots of canon fire, and lots of grenades flying around, thats all fun.

Thanks for the opportunity to play / try it out. I look forward to playing again.
things look fun... I had to go when the battle racer aspect was being looked into. so many voices in my head...
your humble reporter,
-pb