February 23rd 2024.
You may be surprised to find out that Skull And Bones, the highly anticipated open world pirate game from Ubisoft, did not live up to its long-awaited release. After over a decade in development, fans were eager to see if the game was worth the wait. However, with the recent launch date set for February 2024, Ubisoft was not prepared for the unexpected success of Helldivers 2.
When Ubisoft finally announced that Skull And Bones was ready to set sail, they probably didn't anticipate the competition that came with it. Helldivers 2, a rival live service game, had just launched with a thriving player base and a much lower price tag. This was a major blow to Skull And Bones, which had been hyped up as a "AAAA" game by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. However, it seems that this label may have been more of a reflection of the game's ballooning budget rather than its actual quality.
The game starts off with a thrilling battle, where players fight for their lives, only to lose their ship and wake up stranded on an island. It's a strange way to begin a pirate adventure, but it quickly becomes apparent that success in this game is not achieved through one big score, but through a lot of grinding. After a tutorial section on a small island, players will make their way to a pirate stronghold, where they can pick up missions, upgrade their ship, and get a feel for the game.
The best way to describe the overall experience is "mixed". On one hand, the naval battle engine is solid and players have a lot of control over their ship's weapons and upgrades. However, the game really shines when players unlock and customize their own ships, creating unique loadouts to test against other players and computer-controlled opponents.
The battles themselves are enjoyable, except for the boss bounties with ridiculously long health bars that feel more like cannonball sponges than a challenge. Maneuvering and positioning are key in these fights, and they offer a glimpse into the tactics of real-life naval battles. Additionally, players can loot commodities during battles or harvest them from coastal resource points to sell for profit. This adds an interesting element to the game's economy, with prices varying between different ports.
Unfortunately, getting to these battles and trade opportunities requires a lot of travel, and this is where Skull And Bones falls short. Simply sailing around can be tedious and boring, with nothing more than pointing your ship in the right direction and waiting. It's not as engaging as the physical navigation in games like Sea Of Thieves. Even fast travel, which players can pay for with in-game currency, becomes a necessary means of avoiding the monotonous travel.
If players want to explore the game's version of the Indian Ocean, they will find plenty of beautiful vistas along the way. However, the quality of these sights is inconsistent, with some areas featuring stunning rock formations and points of interest, while others have muddy textures and obvious pop-ins. The on-foot portions of the game are also lackluster, offering little to no interactivity or exploration.
The game's presentation is also inconsistent, with players having to choose between Quality or Performance mode on PlayStation 5. The former offers better visuals, but can feel choppy, while the latter sacrifices resolution for smoother gameplay. Overall, the game's visuals are best appreciated while out at sea, with the ship's details and sails looking impressive.
Unfortunately, Skull And Bones struggles to maintain this level of quality in other aspects of the game. With a lackluster story and an emphasis on long-term play, there is little motivation to stick with the game for an extended period of time. The game's live service model is also very apparent, which can be a turn off for some players.
In conclusion, Skull And Bones is not a terrible game, but it falls short in many areas. The naval battles are enjoyable, but the rest of the game feels like endless busywork. With an empty story and little motivation to keep playing, it's unlikely that Ubisoft's gamble on a live service game will pay off.
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