I haven’t closely monitored the evolution of Skull and Bones over the years; I’d catch glimpses of the pirate game emerging at a show with a new trailer or demo, only for it to disappear beneath the waves amidst delays. So, when Ubisoft recently opened the game to the public with an open beta, my interest was piqued. After all, I’ve always had a soft spot for piracy, and with Ubisoft’s acclaimed Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag in their repertoire, I was curious to see what Skull and Bones had to offer.
The open beta weekend proved to be a surprising revelation. I hadn’t realized that beneath the surface of the pirate ship combat lay a full-fledged MMO-style game. However, this additional layer of gameplay didn’t quite hit the mark. From the glaring presence of gamertags above every ship to the implementation of mechanics that felt half-baked, it seemed like Skull and Bones was burdened with unnecessary complexities.
The game thrusts players into the midst of a battle against a British fleet, commanding a formidable pirate galleon. Yet, despite their best efforts, the overwhelming force of the British sends their vessel to the depths with relentless cannon fire. Awakening on a desolate shore, the player’s journey begins, albeit with a stumble at character creation.
Attempting to fashion a pirate captain is an exercise in frustration, with limited visibility into the customization options. Choices regarding body type, tattoos, and hairstyles are made blindly, leaving players to piece together their character’s appearance without a clear picture. This disjointed character creation process sets the tone for the disjointed experience that follows.
Navigating the seas aboard a more modest vessel than the initial galleon, players find themselves embarking on quests from lackluster NPCs on dreary islands. The land-based movement feels sluggish, and the narrative ambiguity surrounding the player’s identity adds to the confusion. Are they a mere survivor or the disgraced captain of a lost ship? The game fails to provide clear answers, leaving players adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
Returning to the safety of their ship, players encounter familiar MMO-style quests, albeit without the safety nets commonly found in similar games. Instances of competition for resources highlight the game’s lack of refinement, underscoring missed opportunities for improvement.
Yet, despite its shortcomings, Skull and Bones shines when players take to the open ocean. Steering their vessel through treacherous storms, players experience the thrill of high-seas adventure. The game’s ship customization options offer a glimmer of hope amidst the turbulence, allowing players to personalize their seafaring experience.
However, the journey through Skull and Bones remains fraught with inconsistencies and rough edges. Land-based mechanics feel tacked-on, while character creation lacks polish. It’s a voyage through choppy waters, marred by missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. Though moments of brilliance occasionally emerge, they are too fleeting to salvage the overall experience.
As Skull and Bones navigates its tumultuous development journey, one can’t help but feel that certain aspects of the game have been haphazardly stitched together. While the vision of a thrilling pirate adventure is tantalizingly close, the reality falls short of expectations, leaving players longing for smoother seas and clearer horizons.
