Skull and Bones Review: Pirate-themed video games have always held a special place in the hearts of gamers, offering a thrilling escapade into the world of high seas, treasure hunts, and daring adventures. Tales of Monkey Island secures its spot as a beloved classic, embodying the essence of traditional point-and-click adventure games with its charm and wit. In contrast, the 2004 remaster of Sid Meier’s Pirates! stands out as a testament to what a pirate game should encompass, capturing the essence of piracy with its open-world exploration and strategic gameplay.
While not exclusively a pirate game, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag masterfully incorporates pirate elements into its narrative, delivering an immersive experience with captivating naval combat and intense ship-to-ship battles. The game successfully immerses players in the life of a swashbuckling pirate, evoking the thrill of plundering ships and navigating the Caribbean seas.
Skull and Bones Review 2024
Each of these games offers a unique take on the pirate genre, catering to different preferences within the gaming community. Whether you prefer classic adventure, strategic gameplay, or action-packed naval combat, there is a pirate game out there to satisfy your craving for high-seas excitement. Ubisoft’s decision to delve deeper into the pirate theme of Black Flag and create a standalone pirate game had my full attention.
The unveiling of Skull and Bones occurred in 2017, and its release has been highly anticipated. Now, it’s time to determine if the pirate life suits me. Prior to that, let me address this first. Skull and Bones is a game based on live services. This aspect does not work to its advantage. The situation was similar with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (review). Therefore, do not anticipate a profound single-player involvement in this case.
Skull and Bones Review Details
| Article Name | Skull and Bones Review |
| Category | Tech Review |
| Official Website | Click Here |
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Story
The game commences by placing you in the midst of a sea conflict to introduce you to naval warfare fundamentals. Despite this, you are predetermined to be defeated in this encounter. Following this, your player avatars become stranded at sea, providing you with the opportunity to customize your character. Upon completing this task, you are rescued by non-playable characters (NPCs), with one of them appointed as your crew’s initial officer. It is essential to acclimate yourself to her constant chatter, as her character cannot be altered.
The initial step is to meet the pirate Chief Captain, who initially criticizes your work before assigning you additional tasks. After completing the task, they express admiration. Subsequently, you are assigned to visit the pirate haven of Sainte-Anne to meet the Pirate Kingpin, John Scurlock. You can then proceed with the main campaign by undertaking missions from Scurlock or engage in various side quests.
Honestly, I really can’t recall the narrative past this stage. It involved regaining power, I think? The abundance of exposition and repetitive missions have blended together in my mind. Eventually, you lose interest.
Graphics
Skull and Bones appears visually appealing. While it may not be the most visually stunning game I’ve encountered, it has a modern look. The intricate details on the ships and characters are impressive, and the water visuals, particularly during storms, are well done. Witnessing a lightning bolt strike a few hundred meters from your ship is a particularly cool experience.
However, there are some drawbacks. The texture of the land and trees is not impressive. Nevertheless, I will refrain from harsh judgment since leaving the ship is not an option. (Will discuss this further shortly)
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Gameplay
Skull and Bones offer a mix of positive and negative aspects in its gameplay experience. Let’s begin with the positives. The naval combat is exceptional, resembling a streamlined version of Black Flag’s combat system. Players have the option to select various guns for their ship and determine their placement. During shooting, players have a ‘first-person’ perspective with a targeting reticle. They can choose to either sink enemy ships entirely for looting or board them for additional rewards when their health is low. (we will discuss this further shortly).
The sailing mechanics in this game are impressively executed. Managing the sails effectively to harness the wind’s power is a satisfying experience. It truly gives you the sensation of commanding a large, unwieldy vessel that requires skill to master, which is a positive aspect. Additionally, the combat can become thrilling, particularly during stormy weather when timing your attacks amidst the rolling waves is crucial. The intensity and enjoyment of the battles bear a resemblance to the standout features of Black Flag.
Players have a hub city to visit when they are not in the open sea, where they can accept missions, buy items, or create new ships or weapons. Smaller versions of the hub city, known as outposts, are scattered across the map. These outposts include a trader and a Pirate Bonfire, which provides a temporary buff and serves as a fast travel point. Players have the option to rename their ship, repair it, or customize various aspects of it before departing.
In the previous paragraph, it was mentioned that the game includes a crafting element. Acquiring necessary materials is essential for enhancing or obtaining a new ship. Players can obtain these materials by looting ships or collecting resources at specific locations. Due to the inability to leave the ship, players must maneuver their ship towards the resource and engage in a mini-game to collect it. Now, it’s time to address the issue at hand and discuss the drawbacks.
Apart from the main hubs or outposts, leaving the ship is not an option. All interactions with settlements for buying resources, mining, or chopping wood must be done from the ship. There is no direct combat or boarding of enemy vessels; instead, you damage them to launch grapple hooks and watch a cut scene. The player character is unable to swim, which may be disappointing for those expecting swashbuckling action in a pirate and ship-themed game. Even older games like Sid Meier’s Pirates offer basic fencing action for players.
I find it frustrating that the game only allows players to craft 10 ships, omitting various types like Dutch Fluyts, Man-of-Wars, and Galleons. Ubisoft seems to be intentionally releasing additional ships gradually. The gameplay primarily involves taking on missions, engaging in combat, and collecting loot to upgrade warships. While this can be enjoyable initially, it may become repetitive over time. Missions typically revolve around fetch quests and lack engaging narratives. To maintain interest, focus on goals like acquiring top-tier ships or amassing wealth.
The game crashed on me twice, causing some inconvenience but not a major problem. When playing Skull and Bones, I encountered a significant issue with my ship not loading when attempting to leave port, leaving me stuck. It was impossible to create a new profile or reset the existing one. Fortunately, the problem resolved on its own after a few hours.
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Conclusion
Skull and Bones had the potential to be an outstanding pirate game, but it falls short. The game offers impressive graphics and engaging naval combat. Ship customization is a strong feature, and with its Live Service model, more options are expected to be added. Nevertheless, it feels like a significant opportunity was missed with the lack of third-person gameplay for mission diversity. Additionally, the game could benefit from a wider variety of ships.
At present, Skull and Bones is primarily appealing to dedicated ship combat enthusiasts. The game still has significant progress to make before reaching the status of an outstanding pirate game. For individuals keen on multiplayer pirate adventures, Rare’s Sea of Thieves could be a suitable choice. Those seeking a thorough pirate experience, even with slightly outdated visuals and gameplay, may find interest in exploring Sid Meier’s Pirates! from 2004. Conversely, if modern graphics and gameplay are preferred, opting for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag might be more fitting.
Skull and Bones Review FAQ’S
Is the Skull and Bones game worth it?
It could be beneficial for individuals seeking a relaxed sailing experience or those who appreciate efficiently managing delivery schedules.
Are Skull and Bones better than sea of thieves?
If you wish to work together with friends and enjoy a deeper level of engagement, try playing Sea of Thieves.
Was Skull and Bones successful?
The game has sold fewer than one million units since it was launched.
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