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The frustrating aspect of this multiplayer game by Ubisoft is that, despite being in development for a decade, it falls just short of being great. Some elements, like the customizable ship battles, are enjoyable and even thrilling when facing a skilled opponent. The graphics are also stunning while sailing through different locations. However, the game still has room for improvement, particularly in its confusing menus and slow pacing. It is a live-service game, so there is potential for it to evolve and become more exciting with some tweaks.

Unfortunately, there are certain aspects of Skull and Bones that cannot be salvaged without completely starting over, which is unlikely to happen after years of costly delays. The characters in the game all have lifeless eyes and only their mouths move when they speak. The storyline is uninteresting, as after spending over 20 hours at sea, I can only remember the value of uncut gems and where to sell tobacco, but not a single character or faction name. On land, there is little to do – no sword fights, no treasure hunts, no truly meaningful exploration. While great effort was put into creating small pockets of land, there is nothing to be found except a few NPCs and a fire pit. The only two populated pirate settlements on the entire map offer minimal options, such as a blacksmith or a pub, and finding other interesting places to dock is nearly impossible.

This implies that the majority of your time will be spent sailing, as all the exciting moments take place on the water. When you are not engaging in activities like raiding merchant ships or defending against other pirates, sailing simply involves raising or lowering sails and occasionally adjusting your course. While it may seem monotonous, I personally found it calming to transport goods and admire the beautiful surroundings. The Indian Ocean is the highlight of Skull and Bones: I experienced a sense of wonder during certain moments, such as navigating my sleek cutter through a narrow passage with towering rocks on either side, only to be greeted by a waterfall cascading from above as the sun set and my crew sang shanties. In that instance, much like Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed games, Skull and Bones evoked a sense of the past, reviving the era of piracy in a new light.

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Unfortunately, Assassin’s Creed is the topic that everyone is avoiding discussing. Skull and Bones draws inspiration from the 2013 game Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, a highly enjoyable pirate-themed adventure that truly captures the essence of exploration and discovery. It offers a variety of islands to explore, hidden stories to uncover, and the excitement of battling enemies while sailing and firing cannons. Similarly, 2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey also features fantastic seafaring on the beautiful blue waters of ancient Greece, along with a multitude of other activities. While Skull and Bones does improve upon the sailing mechanics and has a more intricate ship crafting system – allowing for unique gameplay experiences based on different ship and weapon configurations – it lacks the charm and depth of the games that served as its inspiration.

The other game that can’t escape mention here is Rare’s Sea of Thieves, another online pirate action game that launched in a barren state in 2018 but has since evolved into a terrific time with friends, as funny and chaotic and characterful as you could hope a pirate game to be. But Skull and Bones is much more serious and solitary, a different game entirely – it reminded me much more of Sid Meier’s Pirates than Sea of Thieves, in that most of the game is really about transporting cargo around and meddling with coloniser factions. The further in you get, the more Skull and Bones becomes about making, selling and transporting hidden-market goods, or sinking other players to steal theirs. It’s a trade and naval battle simulator, really, more than a pirate game. It has no swagger, but it does have good seafaring and an excellent selection of tricorn hats.

If Ubisoft, the publisher, continues to provide support for it, Skull and Bones will attract a dedicated group of players who are enthusiastic about sea combat. These players enjoy customizing their ships and competing against each other, or joining forces to tackle challenging tasks such as facing intimidating fleets, stealing cargo, and battling sea monsters. However, if you are searching for a game that truly captures the feeling of a pirate adventure, Black Flag is still the better choice.

• The game Skull and Bones is now available for purchase at a price of £49.99.

Source: theguardian.com