Pirate games have started to catch on within the last decade. This spike in popularity can trace its way back to Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, but now the genre has just continued to grow. Ubisoft is trying its hand at releasing another swashbuckling adventure in the form of skull and Bones.
What is Skull and Bones?
Skull and Bones is an open-world multiplayer naval combat and exploration game where you are the captain of your pirate ship in the Indian ocean. The game is set in an open world where you and 19 other players will be able to carve out their legend as a pirate. The game features a variety of things that you can do to help immerse yourself in the world of a swashbuckler, so it is exciting to know it will release soon.
When will it release?
Skull and Bones are set to be released on November 8th, 2022. This release date makes it an ideal release for the Christmas and holiday season. Right now, the game is confirmed for a launch on Xbox, PS5, Google Stadium, Amazon Luna, and PC.
Starting from the bottom.
The gameplay in this game is supposed to take you from the bottom to the top of the pirate world. It seems fitting then that you start the game as a shipwrecked captain that will have to scavenge and fish to survive. Eventually, build your ship and then begin your adventure in earnest.
Ships and shipshape.
Speaking of, your ship is one of the most valuable resources in the game. It is your primary source of income and transportation. While starting with the thrown-together ship from the beginning, you will quickly upgrade to a more reasonable vessel. The good news is that from here on out, the ship is up to you and the resources you collect. All ships can be broken down into cargo, scout, and firepower categories. Each is better at either speed, attacking, or hauling treasure. Since the player can only control one of these at a time, working with other players can yield better results.
In addition to the ship categories and types, there will also be upgrades for any of them. Of course, these upgrades will not be free, and you will have to acquire gold and other resources to make them. These upgrades can be in the form of anything from more cargo space to various types of canons and weapons.
What is the story going to be?
There is not a straight and linear story like you would find in many Ubisoft games. Instead, the game is about your story and the legend you carved out yourself. That isn’t to say that there is no material for you to learn about the world because there is. There is a variety of interesting characters in the form of the pirate kingpins. These are the people in charge of the pirate world and the ones that give you their contracts. During these, you will learn more about the kingpins and the events around the Indian Ocean.
How will the multiplayer work?
The multiplayer will work in one of two ways. The first is that the main game will be free for all twenty players to raid and fight each other and the environment. The second is a PvP mode called Disputed Waters where 5v5 ships will fight to see who is the better pilot. It is worth pointing out that if you don’t have to play with others, it is the most rewarding system for gameplay due to the need for different ships to work together.