Uncharted Waters: New Horizons

Uncharted Waters: New Horizons is a historical simulation RPG developed and published by Koei for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994. Set during the Age of Exploration, the game lets players choose one of six protagonists, each with a unique backstory and ultimate goal, and embark on a global voyage across the real-world map. The six characters include a Portuguese explorer sent on a royal quest, a Spanish pirate seeking revenge, a Dutch cartographer mapping the world, an African trader, a British naval officer, and an Italian adventurer. Gameplay blends open-world sailing with deep fleet management, trading, piracy, discovery, and dueling. Players manage crew assignments, ship types and upgrades, cannon armaments, and provisions while navigating a dynamic overworld with day/night cycles and weather. Naval battles are tactical, played out on a board-game-like grid where ships maneuver and fire, and can also be resolved through one-on-one rapier duels that use a card-based rock-paper-scissors mechanic. The game is recognized for its ambition, historical flavor, and Yoko Kanno’s soundtrack. Despite its depth and positive critical reception, it had a limited North American release and remains a cult classic among retro strategy and RPG enthusiasts.