This game very strictly follows the formula of "Doing too much" and because of this so many things you want to be good about the game are just awfully average. I'm not enjoying anything I do so far. I'm flooded with dialogue nothingness and "tutorial" missions that literally put me to sleep.
The Sailing? Average
The Combat? Average
The Crewing? Average
The Stories? Average
The Expeditions? IDK because I can't be bothered to actually do my chores-I mean play the game.
Everything is average because too much focus got spread out over too many things that just didn't need to be added. IDGAF about salvos or the mechanics of activating them. I have a support ship, it should be freely supporting me, no need for some gimmicky mechanic based off JRPGs.

Just gave it a fair honest 3rd attempt. Magnanimous Failure. I want my f*ckin money back cuz I won't be spending another minute doing this chore.

Imagine creating Cassone, who's one of the best character designs i've seen in a good while, and then making her the ONLY named female character who you can neither romance nor recruit to the fleet.
I will never forgive the Chinese

The game is good if you don't mind that (you WILL mind that)

what a hidden gem game!

if you like sea trading, battle pirates, building ships, this is your game!
sailing era is anime version of tradewinds (old pc game) and port royale + some touch of 'Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes'. you can recruit 'real' life character in the game.

not only trading goods and battle, the main selling point of this game is exploration. you can explore many laces (ports) all over the (real) world! you can do a land expedition in some ports to discover secrets, clue for treasure hunting, and wonders. also, the discoveries will add insight / knowledges for you because the discovery is based on real world places or events.

I am on 73.5 hours playtime, but I still not fully discover sceneries, wonders, and treasures. and its still just for 1 main character playthru! there are 3 more playable main chaacters you can play (exclude main character from DLC).

super worth it if you really like this genre.