Skull and Bones Review
You might think the gaming world has seen enough pirate adventures – after all, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag or Sea of Thieves have been sailing the seas successfully for years. But Ubisoft wanted to create its very own pirate epic with Skull and Bones. After what felt like an eternity in development – the project was announced back in 2013! – the game is finally here. And yes, Skull and Bones has its moments. But it’s also not the big hit many fans had hoped for.
The World of Skull and Bones
You start off as a stranded nobody, without a ship, without a crew, without fame. But of course, that’s just the beginning of your career as a feared pirate captain. The world is loosely set in the Indian Ocean – so you get tropical islands, exotic ports, and plenty of trade routes where easy loot can be found.
The map is huge and visually really well done. Especially at sunset or in stormy seas, the graphical highlights really come through. When it comes to worldbuilding alone, you can’t really fault Ubisoft. It looks great and even feels authentic – at least on the surface.
Combat, Crafting, and Trading
The heart of Skull and Bones is ship combat – the game isn’t a classic open-world action-adventure like Black Flag, but more of a pirate action-RPG with a focus on naval battles. You steer your ship from a third-person perspective, can use cannons, mortars, and other weapons, and have to take wind direction, speed, and enemy maneuvers into account.
The battles are fun – at least for a while. The hit feedback is solid, and when enemy ships explode or start leaking, it looks really satisfying. But: After several hours, you’ll notice that many fights feel very similar. It lacks variety – and that hurts the long-term motivation.
Besides combat, there’s also a crafting system. You need to gather resources – wood, metal, exotic goods – and use them to build new ships, better weapons, or upgrades. Sounds exciting, but often ends up feeling like busywork. Particularly annoying: some resources are really rare, like Gannets’ Salpeter. So if you’re wondering how to get Gannets’ Salpeter, get ready for a lot of sailing and grinding. The grind is real.
Story? More of a Side Note
If you’re hoping for a deep story with compelling characters, you’ll be disappointed. The story of Skull and Bones is more of a backdrop than an actual highlight. It’s about gaining infamy as a pirate, joining factions, and climbing up the pirate ranking ladder. There are a few NPCs with personality, but for the most part, the story just drifts along.
The game puts a strong focus on multiplayer – you can team up with other players, complete missions together, or shoot each other out of the water. That does bring more dynamics, but it also means that solo players are often left on their own and the world can feel a bit empty at times.
Tech, Bugs, and Live-Service Elements
Technically, Skull and Bones is solid, but not outstanding. On PC, it usually runs smoothly, while the console versions struggle with minor stutters or long loading times. The controls feel a bit sluggish – especially with larger ships. Also, the menu navigation is sometimes confusing.
A big sticking point is the live-service character. Skull and Bones relies on regular updates, seasons, battle passes, and time-limited events. That can work – if Ubisoft really delivers. Currently, however, the game feels more like an “early access” title that still needs time to mature. Many systems still feel unfinished or half-baked, and you get the sense that a lot is missing to truly captivate players over the long haul.
Skull and Bones Review: Fun with Limitations
Skull and Bones isn’t a bad game – but it’s also not a great one. If you love naval battles, enjoy collecting resources, and don’t mind a bit of grind, there’s definitely fun to be had here. The world is beautifully designed, the combat is entertaining, and the pirate setting has its charm. But it lacks depth, variety, and that certain pull that keeps you playing for hours on end.
Especially solo players will quickly realize that much of the game feels more like a checklist than an adventure. And anyone hoping for a second Black Flag will likely walk away disappointed.
I’m giving the game 3.9 out of 5 stars – with the hope that Ubisoft will really step it up in the coming months. The potential is there. It just needs to be properly used.