Skull and Bones, the highly anticipated pirate ship game from Ubisoft, is finally set to release tomorrow after 11 years of development and multiple delays. Hailed as a 'Quadruple A' title by Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, the game has generated a significant amount of buzz. However, following an open beta, early reactions have been lukewarm at best, signaling potential disappointment on the horizon.
One video perfectly encapsulates the primary issue with Skull and Bones, a game that has undergone numerous reworks throughout its decade-long development. The key debate centered around whether to allow players to engage in both ship combat and traditional pirate activities, as seen in Assassin's Creed IV, or to focus solely on ship-based battles. Ultimately, the latter approach was chosen, and it appears to have backfired.
When it comes to winning a battle and boarding a ship in Skull and Bones, players are met with a cutscene. Gone is the thrilling experience of manually boarding a ship, engaging in intense deck fights, and taking control. The absence of this gameplay element, which was highly praised in Assassin's Creed IV, has left many disappointed.
Ubisoft's decision-making process throughout the development of Skull and Bones is perplexing. With the massive success of Assassin's Creed IV, which was lauded for its pirate theme, it seemed like a no-brainer for Ubisoft to create a standalone pirate game, free from the constraints of the Assassin's Creed franchise. However, the focus remained primarily on ship-based combat, and the potential for a more comprehensive pirate experience was missed.
The success of games like Sea of Thieves, which offers a more immersive and varied pirate experience, further underscores the missed opportunity with Skull and Bones. Ubisoft could have embraced a broader range of pirate activities, including swashbuckling, treasure hunting, fortress building, and more, while still incorporating multiplayer and live service elements.
Instead, Skull and Bones appears to be solely focused on naval combat, which may limit its appeal to a niche audience. Unless you have a deep passion for maritime battles, this game may not meet your expectations.
Unfortunately, Skull and Bones seems to be heading towards a similar fate as other recent AAA disappointments like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. With mixed-to-negative reactions from players, it remains to be seen whether the game can salvage its reputation upon release.
As players eagerly anticipate the arrival of Skull and Bones, it's a reminder that even with extensive development time and ambitious goals, the final product may not always deliver on its promises.
