Summary
Piratesare among the most popular historically inspired media figures, taking their place alongside cowboys and samurai as a cool and engaging historical entity that acts as the perfect basis for many media pieces. Despite pirates often being represented in a somewhat caricatured manner when compared to their actual historical counterparts, it’s safe to say that pirates are one of the most engaged with historical entities.
Despite their general popularity in media such as film and TV, pirates are often under-represented in video games. That being said, someexcellent and incredibly popular pirategames offer a range of experiences, from wacky and bombastic anime pirate games to more immersive simulations. Pirate games may be lacking in quantity in the modern gaming landscape, but fans of pirates are sure to findsome quality pirate gaming experiencesif they know where to look.
Sea of Thievesisan online PvPvE gamewherein players set sail either alone or with a crew of up to four others. Players can encounter other players and engage in both land and sea combat. They can also loot islands, wreckages, and other unique and mysterious locations. The aim ofSea of Thievesis to obtain loot and riches by any means necessary, as pirates do.
Sea Of Thievesexcels in its ship mechanics and general aesthetic, allowing players to sail across gorgeous seas and engage incompelling naval combat. Aside from this, however, the game also has plenty of small touches that truly immerse players in the pirate experience. From performing sea shanties to digging up buried treasure,Sea of Thievesoffers the quintessential multiplayer pirate sandbox, even if it’s somewhat lacking in depth.
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4is the fourth entry in theOne Piece: Pirate Warriorsseries, a collection of beat ‘em up games set in theOne Pieceuniverse. The games combine the animeOne Piece and theDynasty Warriorsgame series, blending characters from the anime with the latter’s combat system.
One Pieceis an animeabout Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, a group of pirates known as the Straw Hats. The game blends theDynasty Warriorsformula with the unique and bombastic pirate presentation made famous by the anime. While not the most typical depiction of pirates,One Pieceis one of the most popular modern pirate franchises, and thePirate Warriorsgames offer a unique pirate game experience.
TheYakuza/Like A Dragonseries is incredibly tenured and unique. It boasts a compelling and colorful cast of characters, alongside a long-spanning narrative that is equal parts crazy and complex. Many would argue that theYakuzagames truly set themselves apart whenembracing the more comedic and wackyaspects of the series.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that the latest release in the franchise,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, has been so well-received. Set in Hawaii, players take control of Goro Majima, who has become the captain of a pirate yakuza ship. Despite being a modern-day pirate story, the game is full of classic pirate elements, blending a modern-day yakuza narrative with the bygone pirate age.
Monkey Islandis a series of adventure games that see the player take control of Guybrush Threepwood, a pirate who wants to defeatthe undead pirate LeChuckand become a famous swashbuckler. The games feature puzzles and plenty of quirky characters, alongside a lighthearted and comedic tone.
Return to Monkey Islandis a modern sequel to the series, made by the returning Ron Gilbert as he continues the story established in the previous games.Return to Monkey Islandis a return to form and acts as a modern iteration of the classic point-and-click puzzle experience. It is a charming and compelling pirate story that is especially great for those looking for a more casual game.
Sid Meier’s Piratesis one of the most classic and well-regarded pirate games. Created by the mind behind theCivilizationseries,Sid Meier’s Piratesoffers an equal parts straightforward and compelling game loaded with charm and depth.
The goal is simple, players must ensure their character becomes a famous and wealthy pirate by any means necessary.Sid Meiers Piratesoffers the quintessential swashbuckling adventure, both charming and reverent in its approach to the notion of pirates. Despite this, it doesn’t reach the top spot of the list as its age is starting to show, and as such, newer players may struggle to enjoy the experience.
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfireis a sequel to the incredibly popular and critically acclaimedPillars of Eternity. It is a single-player ARPG in which players build a party and unravel the narrative, all while battling enemies and shaping their experience through choice.Pillars of Eternityis inspired byD&D, and as such, offers a deep fantasy experience.
Deadfireboasts a unique setting from its predecessor, using the same game systems, but this time set amidst a vast archipelago.Deadfireis incredibly pirate-inspired, featuring tropical islands and pirate ships, as well as a vast unexplored ocean. Players are put at the helm of a ship and offers a unique travel system for ARPGs, serving to further instill the pirate feeling.Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfirefalls short of the top spot given it isn’t the most authentic pirate experience, but rather a fantasy game taking place in a pirate setting.
Assassin’s Creedis a long-running and incredibly famous series centering around an order of assassins spanning many time periods and geographical locations. The series has seen massive variation in its settings, and newer entries differ greatly from the original games. That being said,Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis still likely the largest deviation in terms of setting and mechanics.
Black Flagis set in the Golden Age of Piracy, wherein players take control of Edward Kenway, a pirate captain trained by the Assassins. Aside from the standard stealth and melee combat, a large portion ofBlack Flagis centered around naval combat. Players can upgrade their ship andbecome feared on both seaand land. All of this is compounded further by the incredible setting, where the famous notion of pirates is represented flawlessly. For players in need of a modern pirate game,Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagis generally considered the best on the market.
