5 Pirate Games You Should Play Before Skull and Bones (2022)

After years of delays, it looks like Skull and Bones is finally ready for release. The fans have been waiting for quite a while now and are hopeful for a 2022 release after the game's recent trailer announcement. The game takes you through the golden age of piracy to be the biggest pirate in the Indian Ocean. You sail the ocean and plunder any ships you find for treasure. If you are a lone wolf, you can embark on a solo adventure. But if you like having your gang around, Skull and Bones lets you team up with up to four other players. Work your way up from a mere sea urchin to becoming the ocean's kingpin. While the game might take a while longer to come out, there are plenty of good pirate games you can enjoy in the meantime. Here are five pirate games you should play before Skull and Bones.

5. ArcheAge

Starting up, we have ArcheAge, a game that caters to both pirate game fans and MMO fans. Despite the fact that the game isn't entirely focused on piracy, it still has a number of interesting naval elements. The ability to engage in sea battles with other players in order to secure trade routes. Additionally, you have the option of customizing your ship and equipping it with the necessary weapons and defenses. Not to mention has the necessary manpower to deal with threats such as vicious sea monsters.

The game features extensive gameplay, from PvP to cooperative interactions with other players. There is also a housing system whereby you can acquire land and build a customizable house. The houses range in size, which also determines the size of land you may require. Through its expansive gameplay, ArcheAge allows you to live beyond your piracy dreams.

4. Sea of Thieves

If you are looking for an extensive pirate game, then you must try Sea of Thieves. When the game first came out in 2018, it received some negative reviews about being too sparse. However, it has since received significant updates. One of which includes a Pirates of the Caribbean crossover story, which most fans appreciated. Like Skull and Bones, the game tasks players with working together to run a ship. You and your crew set sail for various missions across the seas. These quests include treasure hunts, trading between ports, fighting monsters, and completing variant objectives.

Similarly, you may come across several ships from other players on your way to these sailing escapades. Some of which you can form alliances with, while others may not be as friendly. You must go head to head in defending your ship and ensure to conquer your opponent and raid them of their treasure. The fun part about playing a pirate game is that the cooperative experience amongst players is rare; Sea of Thieves offers just that. Making it one of the best games to play before Skull and Bones.

3. Tempest: Pirate Action RPG

Going deeper into the pirate genre, we have Tempest Pirate Action RPG. A Lion's Shade production that provides you with everything you would want out of a pirate game. From a wide explorable sea spreading through three continents to countless exciting quests. One of the best parts of the game is that you can customize your ship as you like and upgrade it as you progress as a pirate. You can engage in trade and fierce battles across the seas; where you may also face sea monsters such as Leviathan and the Kraken. 

You can choose to follow the game's story or just roam the sea, chasing your own adventures and hunting down beasts. This is thanks to the fully explorable open world map the game provides. Not to mention a new expansion that allows players to set up and develop settlements on land. You can turn your settlement into a thriving city of high value. There are plenty more adventures awaiting if you decide to play Tempest: Pirate Action RPG.

2. Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag

Next in line for pirate-themed game is Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. Coming from the same folks handling the production of Skull and Bones, Black Flag is the main reason we are so excited for what's to come. As opposed to other games in the Assassin's Creed series where players follow land missions, the character in Black Flag fully embodies a pirate's life. The game lets you engage in everything expected of a pirate, from hunting treasure and exploring to recruiting crew members.

The story follows Edward Kenway through the golden pirating ages between 1715 and 1722. You control this character through the open-world map in search of treasure and a place called the Observatory. Besides, the game maintains several elements from the Assassin's Creed series, such as landscape exploration, a stealth system, and melee combat. This gives you a vast option when it comes to hunting as you can hunt both sea creatures and land animals for food. The game is sure to get you into the pirate spirit you need to play Skull and Bones.

1. Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire

From Obsidian Entertainment, we have Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire, a seafaring and exploration game every pirate games fan should play. Experience a deep mythology consisting of dynamic characters with whom you can share countless adventures. The game follows the same story as its prequel, Pillars of Eternity. Where the main protagonist, known as a Watcher, sets sail towards the Deadfire Archipelago in search of answers. This is after a revived god obliterates his home. With a strong crew put together, he can confidently face all challenges thrown at him.

Like its predecessor, Deadfire is class-based, only that this expansion goes deeper to introduce sub-classes. The game lets you make use of various skills, such as survival, stealth, lore, athletics and mechanics. As you captain your ship through the vast open world, experience the classic D&D gameplay and outstanding graphics display. There are also numerous new regions to discover when playing Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire. You may enjoy the game even more if you like exploring beyond the game's assigned story.

Which one of the pirate video games above do you think you should play before Skulls and Bones? Share your pick with us in the comments below or over on our socials here!