Skull and Bones’ Ocean Is the Perfect Escape

One of the most important aspects of any pirate game is how fun sailing around the world is. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag knew this, Sea of Thieves has done this side justice, and now it seems like Skull and Bones has delivered on that promise. While the game may have fallen flat in other areas, it can often shine in the simplest of times, which makes Skull and Bones the perfect escape to sea.

Since Skull and Bones lacks 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, and Skull and Bones‘ sea shanties make 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 of Skull and Bones is on the seafaring aspect of a pirate’s life, so obviously, Ubisoft needed to ensure that this part was top-notch. Taking inspiration from Assassin’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 Bones players get their first ship and 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 of Assassin’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 Bones feels truly special when 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 of Skull and Bones may 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

Skull and Bones is an action-adventure title developed by Ubisoft with a heavy focus on piracy and naval combat. Set in an open-world environment inspired by locations in the Indian Ocean, players take control of a customizable pirate captain and ship and undertake missions to collect treasure and raise in rank. Players rely on ship combat with cannons, mortars, and rockets to defeat both NPCs and other player ships. 

Released

February 16, 2024

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence