Skull and Bones is a game we’ve been waiting for. It’s been a long time coming, and while the development processes seemingly had its own choppy waters to navigate, the game’s release is nearing. If you’re unfamiliar with Skull and Bones, the game started development all the way back in 2013. However, Ubisoft didn’t officially unveil this game to the masses until the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2017. Fans that tuned into E3 that year for the Ubisoft press media conference were treated to the reveal of a brand new pirates-themed game.
This initial reveal offered insight into more ship combat as players would sail to the open seas fighting off other pirates and the law. However, since that grand unveiling, Skull and Bones have endured several years of silence. Despite Ubisoft not officially confirming the game production had been canceled, things were not looking very bright for Skull and Bones. Although, we finally got a bit of light at the end of the tunnel in 2020. In 2020 Ubisoft confirmed that the development was pressing on.
Then in 2022, we received a new showcasing. Once again, players were shown traversing the open waters and battling other pirates in search of treasure. We were also given a new release date to mark on our calendars. If you want a more pirate-themed game to dive into, then Ubisoft’s Skull and Bones might be a viable option to run with soon.
What Kind of Gameplay Will Skull and Bones Have?
Skull and Bones put players into the role of an outcast looking to become the next big ruthless pirate. It’s a long way to the top for our protagonist if you take on the journey. However, unlike Sea of Thieves, where you’re mainly taking the role of a single crewmember on a ship, you’ll control the entire vessel instead. That’s a critical component that might make Skull and Bones stand slightly different from Sea of Thieves. Regardless, if you’re after a pirate adventure and all that entails with it, this might be a game well worth picking up.
We know that there’s a big focus on the ships themselves. You’ll find that there are three main categories of ships: cargo, Firepower, and Navigation. As you can likely already tell from the names alone, these ships either provide more storage for loot, are combat-focused, or are designed for speed. Fortunately, it does look like there will be options to customize each ship further to cater to your playstyle. But, it might be crucial to pick the correct ship before venturing off to complete a particular objective.
While there is a focus on ships and managing them to get the job done, you’ll also have a crew. You’ll need to ensure morale is in the green here, as if you fail to make your crew happy, then you could very well find a mutiny afoot. Then there are always other pirate crews roaming the waters looking for easy targets. Even if you find yourself in a battle that costs your life, you’ll be transported to a nearby port with some of your loot salvaged. You’ll have to reach the wreckage to secure the rest of your goods before others pick up the goods. Currently, Skull and Bones can be picked up on March 9, 2023, for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms.
