Skull and Bones

Skull and Bones is Ubisoft Singapore's naval piracy game — a game with one of the longest and most troubled development histories in the industry that finally launched in February 2024 after over a decade of false starts and reboots. Set in the exotic Indian Ocean of the late 17th century, players captain their own pirate vessel, upgrading from a humble dhow to a formidable Man-of-War as they hunt merchant vessels, complete contracts for pirate kingpins, and engage in ship-to-ship naval combat across Southeast Asian and East African coastlines. The naval combat system — timing broadside volleys, managing distance, and choosing optimal weapon loadouts for different ship types — is genuinely satisfying at its best. Ubisoft's post-launch live-service updates have added substantial content. While it falls short of the naval experience in Black Flag, Skull and Bones offers an experience with a distinct enough piracy fantasy to satisfy players hungry for the setting.