Summary
One of the most important aspects of any pirate game is how fun sailing around the world is.Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagknew this,Sea of Thieveshas done this side justice, and now it seems likeSkull and Boneshas delivered on that promise. While the game may have fallen flat in other areas, it can often shine in the simplest of times, which makesSkull and Bonesthe perfect escape to sea.
SinceSkull and Boneslacks much land-based gameplay, players spend a lot of time sailing the high seas. Luckily, Ubisoft has ensured that this side of the game can be incredibly engrossing. The oceans are serene, the boats are all beautifully realized, andSkull and Bones' sea shantiesmake it a lively experience. Even if the game is lacking in other areas, players may get lost for hours just exploring the unknown.
Skull and Bones Has Captured the Ocean Life Well
Sailing Across Skull and Bones' World Can Be An Extremely Soothing Experience
The focus ofSkull and Bonesis on the seafaring aspect of a pirate’s life, so obviously, Ubisoft needed to ensure that this part was top-notch.Taking inspiration fromAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, the studio crafted a fictionalized version of the Indian Ocean and filled it to the brim with unique looking islands. Then, it packed the ocean with dozens of ships, storms, and settlements for players to conquer. After that, it gave players a fully customizable ship and told them to run wild within its world.
After a brief introductory mission,Skull and Bonesplayers get their first shipand can head off towards the horizon. Their ship will sway and creak as they go, with the ocean waves crashing upon its deck. The sky will light up with sunlight, and the occasional storm will drown it out with dread. The crew will run about the deck, singing sea shanties as they work. And the player will likely end up getting lost in thought as they sail through the wide ocean, which makes for an incredibly soothing experience that some may not soon forget.
Along with that, players will also be able to engage in warfare as they go. Using an upgraded version ofAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag’s ship combat, players can sink whoever comes into their path. While it may not be as soothing as simply sailing off into the unknown, taking down ships does help immerse players into this ocean even further. After all, that is a core part of any pirate fantasy.
Skull and Bones' Ocean Can Distract Players From the Weaker Parts of the Game
Even though it may not be enough to convince some players to check it out,Skull and Bonesfeels truly specialwhen it is simply about sailing across the ocean. When those sea shanties kick in as the ship pushes through the waves, the game’s weaker elements can fade into the shadows. All that matters is the salty sea air and the player’s next target, which is exactly how a pirate game should feel.
The oceans ofSkull and Bonesmay be a treat to explore, but other aspects of the game bring it down a bit. If the content surrounding the open world was just as engrossing, then Ubisoft may have had a hit on its hands. Sadly, much of the gameplay is rather bland, with even the main story failing to deliver. There is a chance that the studio is able to rectify those mistakes, but as of now, the sea may be one of the game’s only redeeming qualities.
Skull and Bones
WHERE TO PLAY
Set sail into the vibrant open world of Skull and Bones, a naval online action RPG where you rise to become the most fearsome pirate kingpin.ENGAGE IN SPECTACULAR NAVAL COMBATPrepare for devastating battles by crafting a dozen different ships and equip your fleet with powerful loadouts. Unlock stronger weapons as you progress and customize your ships to reflect your unique pirate playstyle.SAIL INTO A DANGEROUS HELL IN PARADISEVoyage into the Indian Ocean and explore a vast open world teeming with cutthroat pirates, deadly sea monsters, supernatural threats, devastating storms, and more.TEAM UP WITH FELLOW PIRATESSail the lawless seas solo or team up with two friends or other players to partake in shareable contracts and rewards.ENJOY EVER-EVOLVING CONTENTEach season, face a brand-new legendary sea lord and discover fresh content, limitless endgame opportunities, and new exciting features designed to enhance your pirate experience.
