Easy fix for Port Royale 2 on Windows 10

Thanks to Steam Proton, we can play Port Royale 2 in the years ahead. No compatibility mode or changing dozens of settings needed.
(version 0.9.4)

Changelog:
-map speed fix added.
-updated downloads to Proton version 9.0-3. (2024-12-12)
-moved file sharing from Google Drive to GitLab since this is easier for me.
-referenced the old guides as secondary solution.
-added Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime error solution
-updated RTSS to their new generic link

1. Explanation

Until this day, I've tried so many things to keep this beautiful game alive however since Windows 10 keeps getting updates, no efforts last. But today I noticed a little detail we've missed, it was simple all along. We didn't need to change game's settings from using AMD or NVidia settings. We just need to keep the same environment for the game. With Windows 10, DirectX getting new updates every time but not the game and that was the real reason why this game doesn't work properly.

I simply get the required DLL files from Proton (I used version 4.2.2) and replaced them with the oldish files of the game. For me, the game now working perfect and does not even need a compatibility setting.

At this point, I'm asking you to give me feedback. That would be awesome.

2. Download the required files

I uploaded the files to GitLab but like I said before, you can get the required files directly from Steam Proton[github.com] project.

:::Download:::[gitlab.com]

This time I uploaded both 32-bit and 64-bit files. Though use the files under 64-bit folder, unless you have a 32-bit system, which the chance is statistically pretty low in today's standards but someone may still need them.
________________________________________________________________
According to the feedback I got, 64-bit DLLs did not help on some 64-bit systems. They used 32-bit DLLs instead and apparently that worked.

Just in case I also won't remove the older files[gitlab.com].

3. Replace the files

Extract the files from archive.

Go to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Port Royale 2

or where did you install.

Replace these files:

 msvcp70.dll
 msvcr70.dll
 unicows.dll

4. Still doesn't work?

Also according to feedback, some people needed to use the old guides. If you still have problems (black screen, flickering water etc.) maybe these old guides would be helpful. After applying those settings, overwriting the DLL files might be required.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1382441648
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1210180424

Don't forget to change the in-game graphics settings to high if they aren't already.
Enabling or disabling fullscreen option changes system to system. Use which one is better for you.

5. FPS fix for the crazy map speed

Thanks to @Joe Black for the suggestion.

Limiting the FPS will fix the crazy map speed issue. However using AMD or NVIDIA settings probably won't work, you can use the program called Rivatuner Statistics Server for this job.

You can download it from here:

:::Download RTSS:::[www.guru3d.com]

After the installation you must create a profile for Port Royale 2. Simply hit Add button on the bottom left and locate PR2.exe from your installation folder. On the right, change Framerate limit to 60 and press enter.

It won't be crazy anymore.

6. In case you got Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime error

Thanks to @Alchemist for the feedback and thanks to @Tim_Cruder for the solution.

It's written for Windows XP but you can apply it to other Windows versions as well, should not be too different.

Error: Could not found Translation files

For WinXP, you can add an exception for the program by using System Properties in Control Panel.

To do this, follow these steps:
- Click Start, click Run, type `sysdm.cpl` and then click OK.
- Click the Advanced tab, click Performance, and then click Settings.
- In Performance Options, click the Data Execution Prevention tab, and then click Add.
In the Open dialog box, locate and then click the game's exe file.
- Click Open, click Apply, and then click OK.
- When you are prompted to restart your computer, click OK.
- Finally try to run the game again, it should help.

7. Yarr Harr

You are a pirate! or merchant

8. Feedback

If you have a feedback, please don't hesitate to write down so I can edit the guide for better times.

Hope you can play this great game again.

Have a nice day.

[>>>Timeshift>>>]

Throught years, this topic still alive, yeah guys still wanna play in good games, not this "next-gen" mindless crap.
Welcome guys.

[Mitsukuni]

No problem! Would be nice if I could help though.

If you're trying to replace d3d8.dll try this one: https://github.com/crosire/d3d8to9/releases

If the game was more open and easier to reverse engineer-able we wouldn't have these problems. I was even willing to make an HD mod but after trying everything from hexes I decided that it doesn't worth it. I assume I was not the first and many did try this. However, now checked again and saw someone made a cpr unpacker. Maybe there is still a chance. Will look into it when I have time. Though I don't have the will nor the time anymore like I used to.

[Friendly ape]

I'm sad now, nothing works :/

[Friendly ape]

Hey Mitsukuni, thanks for your reply. I am currently using the GOG version, I just saw this post and thought I'd ask help here. But thanks, I'll try that PR2config. Other things I've tried since my last post: limitting fps and background fps to 60 and 50 (using graphic card menu). Deleting d3d8.dll and replacing it with d3d8.def (probably got that last one wrong, but the guide describing this is vague).

[Mitsukuni]

Hi @Friendly ape,

Usually the DLL fix is for either broken sea textures or for the game not starting at all. It seems you have a different issue. Have you tried different settings from PR2Config?

Though after the 2022 update of Windows 10, things got a lot more hit or miss. You can try the GOG version since it doesn't get any updates on Steam for a long time, maybe GOG version might work for you.

Currently I can only say that the game works fine on Linux (and SteamDeck), however I cannot test things on Windows anymore. You can try it on a virtual machine if you are willing to go that far. The game doesn't require a dedicated GPU so it might work that way. Though try PR2Config and GOG version first.

Sadly it seems the retirement is on the horizon for this guide. :/

[Friendly ape]

Hey, I've tried this guide in an attempt to fix my issue with the game, but it didn't work :l. After I hit free play, and than start, the hour glass empties and I just get a black screen. I've tried replacing the .dll files. Tried both 32bit and 64bit (I have a 64 bit pc). I also tried using the other guide you referred to in this guide. It told me to try playing in compatibility mode windows 98 / windows me. Which also did not work. Do you have any fix for me?

PC specifics:
Windows 10 64-bit
Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce GTX1050 Ti

[Mitsukuni]

Hi @Djoomart,

You're very welcome!
Sadly, there are many problems for a lot of old games on Windows 11. Normally it should be fine to run it with an Intel GPU, most of the time it's better too for an old game like this. However, Windows 11 had many changes over Windows 10.

I updated the guide with the most recent DLLs. So try them first, but at this point this is the best I can do I think because I cannot try myself anymore (I stopped using Windows entirely). .

Although I can still give a suggestion. There is a project called DOSBox-X [dosbox-x.com]. It emulates Windows 98 too so I believe it can be possible to run Post Royale 2 with this, since the game doesn't require Steam. You can directly try it on the game files.

Kind of a long shot but worth a try.

[Djoomart]

Hi @Mitsukuni! I am running:
Windows 11 OS
GPU 1: Intel Iris Xe
GPU 2: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (laptop)

I've tried any and all combinations of:
- turning on and off config settings
- compatibility mode for all .exe
- new .dll files, both 32 and 64
- manually changing NVIDIA settings for .exe
- forcing it to run on NVIDIA card
- DEP exceptions

But it still won't open, rather sitting in task manager as a background task. Any thoughts? Thanks so much for your help keeping this game alive

[Mitsukuni]

@Маша,
I see. I guess that's some form of a sanction from their point of view because of the Ukraine war, so it probably won't change until your government end it. Anyway, you can try some illegal ways at this point because you have no alternatives.

I also would like to see that bonus scenario but cannot find it myself either. Since the developer does not exist today and the publisher simply don't care, I don't think we'll ever see it on Steam.

[Галя]

@Mitsukuni, sadly(or gladly) iI practically can't use GOG cause it banned ALL Russians for no reason. I know some doich disk versions, that contains one bonus scenario. There's supposed italian also, but I didn't check.