Skull and Bones finally released on February 16th after years of delays and major changes to the core of the game.
In Skull and Bones, you start as a shipwrecked pirate and build your pirate legend. There are lots of missions to take on, bases to visit, and ship customization. What is clear is that the scope and vision of the game has changed significantly since it was first revealed.
Here's everything you need to know about this open-world marine adventure game, including gameplay and the latest news.
Skull and Bones: Cut to the chase
what is that? Where can I play Ubisoft's upcoming pirate adventure? When is it released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC? February 16, 2024
Skull & Bones release date and platforms
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
Skull and Bones was released on February 16, 2024.
When the game was first announced, it was only confirmed for release on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. However, at the time he was scheduled for release in 2018. After many delays and the launch of new generation consoles, Skull and Bones has released his PS4 and Xbox One. Now available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Skull and Bones is also the first game from Ubisoft to be priced under $70/£70 for the new generation of consoles, something it hasn't previously promised.
Skull & Bones trailer
Ubisoft showed off the Skull and Bones trailer at The Game Awards 2024. This is a gameplay detailing naval battles, player progress, and the main his story. You can watch it below.
This article includes some key Skull and Bones trailers, but all Skull and Bones trailers released to date can be found on Ubisoft's official YouTube channel.
Skull & Bones Gameplay
When Skull and Bones was first released, it looked more like Rainbow Six Siege than it does now. The game is a small team he PvP game where each player takes on the role of a ship, equipped with special guns and armor, and two teams blast each other with cannons and muskets.
That's all changed, or at least it's no longer the focus. Well, Skull and Bones is first and foremost an action RPG game. You start life as a shipwrecked pirate. You will have to scour for resources to build a small and almost defenseless sailing ship, and from that humble beginning you will work your way up to become the Pirate King.
Use your ship to sail around the open world, searching for wood, precious metals, and all the other resources you need to craft equipment. You'll face AI enemies such as other ships, as well as wild animals such as hippos and sharks. And from there you can harvest more resources and loot, which you can exchange for money in pirate dens and other outposts, or use for crafting.
The best way to acquire money, equipment, and blueprints is to enter into contracts. These tasks will have you hunting down bounties, raiding towns, and searching for long-lost treasure. The contracts you have access to are determined by your “infamy”, and completing contracts also helps increase your infamy level. You can buy equipment and ships with the loot you pick up, but in Skull and Bones you can craft equipment to fit your schooner.
As you roam the Seven Seas of Skull and Bones, you'll find blueprints. These may be rewards for completing a contract, or they may be hidden at the bottom of a treasure chest. They become essential to the production of games. Use blueprints and resources found around the world, such as scavenging shipwrecks, foraging for natural resources, and hunting animals at sea, to build entirely new ships, craft new weapons and armor, and discover everything about your ship. You can upgrade your equipment.
Some of the most powerful hulls and equipment need to be crafted. Therefore, if you want to become the most feared pirate of the seven seas, you need to invest time in crafting and blueprints.
skull and bones multiplayer
Skull and Bones started out as a PvP game, but has since evolved into a survival game that can be played completely solo. This is a pretty drastic change from Ubisoft's original vision for an open-world pirate game. However, multiplayer in Skull and Bones still exists in a different form.
You can play the entire game alone, but you can also reveal it to other players, both friends and enemies. As you set out into the world to take on contract missions and earn loot, you can invite other players to your party and take on missions together. It makes the game a little easier, but you have to split some of the profits, but you can often kill more enemies and get more loot than your own hold, so sharing it with a friend is a good idea. You can not. This means that it will eventually become less.
You can also expose your game to enemy players, turning the Seven Seas into a PvP arena. While you can't be attacked in the safe waters surrounding your pirate den, you can be targeted by other players as soon as you step outside of its boundaries. Sure, you might not attract much attention on your way to a mission, but when you're heading back to port with a hold full of loot, enemy players will recognize you as a high-value target and attack you. There is a possibility. To corner you.
As such, PvP and co-op are still included in Skull and Bones, but in a much scaled-down form.
Skull and Bones ship types
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
There are multiple ship types in Skull and Bones, each with significant advantages and disadvantages. The three types of him that Ubisoft confirmed in Ubisoft Forward were cargo ships, sailing ships, and firepower ships. There may be other types we haven't seen yet, but we know that as with these categories, there are multiple hull types of each type, so you have the opportunity to find the ship that best suits your playstyle. There will be many.
cargo ship
Larger and slower cargo ships than covership types have large holds and can carry far more loot than any other type of ship. It may not be as good as a fire ship in combat, nor as fast as a sailing ship, but if you take a freighter into battle, you don't have to leave behind any loot.
sailing ship
There aren't many hardpoints where you can place armor or cannon rows, but seafaring ships are the fastest and most maneuverable type of ship. In addition to being great at scouting ahead, a good commander in combat can weave through the enemy and get in front of the guns. Another weakness of hers is the narrow hold, so this type of ship is best if you have friends who can help you pick up loot after battles.
firepower ship
If you want to take it into battle, this is the best ship type. Although they may not be as fast or as maneuverable as sailing ships, and may not have the armor or holds of cargo ships, fire ships carry the most guns and can dominate the battlefield.
Skull and Bones News
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
Skull and Bones performs songs at Ubisoft Forward 2023
Skull and Bones did make a reappearance in Ubisoft Forward 2023, but mostly in the form of a musical performance. At least a beta version has been announced, so stay tuned for more information.
Skull & Bones is “not a story-driven game”
If you're expecting a great story from Skull & Bones, you might want to temper your expectations. In an interview with True Achievements, game director Ryan Barnard said:
“Skull and Bones is not a story-driven game. There is a story element. In the game, you meet important NPCs called Kingpins. Kingpins have their own stories and you can make deals with them. The game has a story that serves as a foundation for building the lore of the entire world, but it's not the main focus of the game. We want them to be able to create their own story and choose the type of pirate they want to be.”
Instead, Bernard calls the progression system, Infamy, the driving force behind the campaign. Considering this is a live-service experience, it's not too surprising that the story isn't the center of attention, but it may be disappointing for those coming off fresh single-player pirate adventures.
That's everything you need to know about Skull and Bones. Check out our list of new PS5 games to see what's coming to PS5 next year.