Whether it's in cinema or on video games, pirate adventures are still one of the most interesting and fan-loved genres. After all, sailing through endless oceans with your crew, treasure hunting, and encountering wild sea creatures are things that still excite real adventurers.
Of course, this is not possible practically, but for gamers, these virtual pirate worlds can fill in for that experience. From story-driven adventures that put you in a captain’s boots to massive online worlds filled with exploration and betrayal, there are lots of pirate games that are continuously evolving.
In this article, we will take a look at the top five pirate games you should try if you love exploring the sea.
Sid Meier’s Pirates! (2004)
.webp?width=700&quality=10&blur=40)
Before pirate video games became cinematic or online, Sid Meier's Pirates! was already giving a glimpse of what open-world sea-exploring games look like. Not to mention, it was originally released in 1987 and remade in 2004. Although the game featured standard 2D graphics, fans really loved the game concept at that time.
As per the game plot, the story was simple: you would play as a sailor in the late 17th century, and your task is to establish yourself as a great pirate of the Caribbean Sea. The game offers you the option to attack another enemy ship, court the governor's daughter, trade goods, and last but not least, hunt for treasure.
No doubt, Sid Meier's Pirates! acted as a blueprint and inspiration for all the modern pirate video games you see today.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (2013)
While many pirate-themed games came after Sid Meier's Pirates!, not all got that traction from the audience. It was the year of 2013, nearly a decade ago, when Ubisoft Games launched Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, which also shaped how modern pirate games would approach things from hereon, especially the visual aspects.
Set during the early 1700s, when it was also known as the golden age of piracy, you step into the shoes of Edward Kenway, who finds himself caught in the centuries-old war between Assassins and Templars.
The game allows you to sail anywhere you want in the sea, raiding forts, boarding other ships, and exploring all the hidden islands in the game world. The ship battles of the game were also praiseworthy.
Sea of Thieves (2018 – Present)
.webp?width=700&quality=10&blur=40)
A few days ago, we did a guide on how fan backlash changed studio plans; you could say Sea of Thieves should also make its way to that list, as when it released in 2018, it was not smooth sailing for developers. Players found the gameplay a bit shallow; however, over time, the game has seen an impressive transformation.
Unlike Black Flag and many single-player narratives, Sea of Thieves did not rely on a fixed, scripted storytelling experience. Instead, it built a shared world in which the players could make their own stories.
Since the game offers a multiplayer experience, you can sail either solo or with your friends. Updates have introduced cinematic story-driven experiences called "Tall Tales," while Pirates of the Caribbean partnerships and live events made Sea of Thieves one of Xbox's most successful live service games to date.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire (2018)
During the same year as the Sea of Thieves release, a small team at Obsidian Entertainment developed Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire. When this game launched in 2018, fans didn't expect a pirate adventure from Obsidian Entertainment. We were looking for that classic, story-driven RPG experience found in the first game, but things had changed in Deadfire.
You're still the Watcher, but the story takes you across the Deadfire Archipelago, and you're on a hunt for a rogue god. To carry that out successfully, you really need your own ship, crew, supplies, and the freedom of choice. Each island you visit has its own unique story, too, adding welcome variety.
The game was special because of how smoothly it blended traditional RPG elements with real pirate life, which was kind of a different approach. While the game didn't come as a blockbuster, it still stood out, and even now, you will enjoy playing it.
Skull and Bones (2024)
Ubisoft first revealed Skull and Bones in 2017 as the next grand pirate adventure following Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, but after nearly a decade of delays, reboots, and development issues, many people gave up hope that the game would ever come out.
But it finally launched in 2024, and while it didn't quite live up to expectations, Skull and Bones was still an impressive naval adventure worth checking out.
The game doesn’t have the strong narrative pull of something like Black Flag or Deadfire, because this one focuses almost entirely on naval combat. The game also features a multiplayer mode, adding extra fun for those who enjoy online experiences.
For more listicles like this, stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com, the best website for gamers.