Skull and Bones: A Pirate’s Journey to Infamy

Skull and Bones, the latest offering from Ubisoft, is a pirate-themed open-world action RPG that invites players to embark on a journey of infamy. Set in the Indian Ocean, this game offers a rich and immersive experience, filled with naval combat, exploration, and the opportunity to build a pirate empire. In this article, we will delve into the various aspects of Skull and Bones, from its gameplay mechanics to its story and development.

Gameplay Mechanics

The primary gameplay mechanic in Skull and Bones is naval combat. Players can customize their ships with various weapons, armor, and furniture, each affecting the ship’s stats. There are ten ships at launch, each with unique perks that strengthen specific aspects of the ship. Weaponry includes cannons, ballistae, mortars, rocket launchers, and torpedoes. Players can also customize the color of their ship’s hull, the color and pattern of their ship’s sails, and their ship’s figurehead. Additionally, players can choose from a variety of pets to keep them company at sea.

Naval combat is largely PvE, with players encountering settlements, production sites, outposts, and forts. Settlements can be pillaged or utilized as trade hubs. Production sites are where materials and goods can be bought and sold. Outposts are neutral areas where players can repair their ships, buy supplies, pick up contracts, and/or fast-travel. Forts are heavily defended settlements, leading to some of the game’s most challenging encounters.

Progression in Skull and Bones is framed through the infamy system. The more a player makes a name for themselves at sea, the more opportunities they have to improve their ship, accept contracts, and obtain valuable treasure. Once a player reaches Tier 6 of the infamy rank, the game opens up in a major way, introducing them to a secret smuggling ring called The Helm and granting them the ability to create their own pirate lair and begin their own smuggling operation.

On foot, players can explore pirate dens such as Sainte Anne, which are safe zones filled with vendors and characters who can turn players on to new contracts or tall tales, leading to encounters with supernatural enemies.

Story and Narrative

Unlike many games, Skull and Bones does not have a traditional campaign or overarching plot. Instead, it is a live-service game where players begin as a shipwrecked captain, determined to make a name for themselves in the brutal world of piracy. The game’s narrative elements come from pivotal characters in the world, who players can encounter through jobs or contracts.

For those seeking more story content, Dark Horse’s three-issue comic series, Skull and Bones: Savage Storm, offers an engaging narrative set in the game’s world. The comic series follows a merchant vessel besieged by pirates, which is interrupted by a devastating typhoon. The survivors are left stranded on an island in the Indian Ocean, where they encounter mysteries and danger.

Ubisoft also began a tie-in podcast series in 2024 called Gangsters of the Sea, which explores the sordid history of the Indian Ocean’s most terrible pirates. Narrated by Michelle Rodriguez, the series offers an intriguing look into the world of Skull and Bones.

Development

Skull and Bones has undergone a tumultuous development cycle, with the game initially conceived as an expansion for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. It was revealed at E3 2017 with a Fall 2018 release window, but ultimately missed that window due to six delays. The game is the first original game in which Ubisoft Singapore served as lead developer, with assistance from Ubisoft’s studios in Belgrade, Berlin, Chengdu, Kiev, Montreal, Mumbai, Paris, the Philippines, Pune, and Shanghai.

The project has seen three creative directors, most recently losing Elisabeth Pellen in September. It was developed using the Ubisoft Anvil engine, which has previously been used to create Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed and Tom Clancy games. Despite its development challenges, Skull and Bones offers a rich and immersive pirate experience, filled with naval combat, exploration, and the opportunity to build a pirate empire.

In conclusion, Skull and Bones is a unique and engaging pirate game that offers a rich and immersive experience. With its focus on naval combat, exploration, and character progression, it provides players with a sense of adventure and the opportunity to build their own pirate empire. Whether you’re a fan of pirate stories or looking for a new open-world game to explore, Skull and Bones is definitely worth checking out.