Gameplay is average. It's a fun, simple, clear board. Great for beginners. Large continents (for the most part) often make the slow and steady expansion worth while. The graphics are great, looks awesome.
Though not one of my go-to boards, there really is nothing bad to say about this board. Agree with Mongrel regarding its attributes. Return to fortify enables sneaky tactics and I agree with Pink Fuzzy that the pirate ship in the middle is likely to befuddle traditional strategist types. Hmm, ..maybe I'll have to play it some more.
Only played once so far, but I thought it seemed well put together. The pirate ship is fun to mess with people with, which gives you something to do even if you're losing. But more defensive-minded players can at least try to build where the ship can't touch (and see if it works out for them). Great game so far.
My favorite of the Yertle series. The combination of return to attack, fortify within connected, and the strength/reach/accessibility of the pirate ship means you have to carefully distribute units along coastlines. I just like holding a bomb somewhere that I can advance to the front lines immediately, to exact psychological warfare on my opponents. Also I get a kick out of the light pastel colors, considering pirates committed some of the most heinous crimes against humanity in recorded history.