Best pirate games to play before Skull and Bones

Skull and Bones is the long-awaited pirate game from Ubisoft. It features combat reminiscent of Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag, but for a modern age. After several delays, it is slated to release on March 9, 2023, meaning you'll have to wait a few months into 2023 before you can get your hands on it. Fortunately, there are plenty of pirate games to play while you wait, and we have listed some of the best pirate games to play before Skull and Bones below.

Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves is one of the hottest pirates game on the market. It combines delightful pirate shenanigans with multiplayer, making it one of the best pirate experiences around. It is also a live service game, meaning it already has an enormous amount of content and will receive more as time goes on. While you can certainly play alone, playing with friends is the best way to enjoy this title. Sea of Thieves is available on the following platforms.

• PC
• Xbox One
• Xbox Series X|S

Assassins Creed IV: Blackflag

Assassins Creed IV: Blackflag is an iconic entry in the Assassins Creed series, featuring a pirate them and an interesting protagonist. Players can sail The West Indies and engage in naval battles, blasting their enemies with cannons or climbing aboard and battling with the blade. Assassins Creed IV: Blackflag is the inspiration for Skull and Bones, making it the perfect title to play before Ubisoft's next pirate adventure launches. It is available on the following platforms.

• PC
• Xbox One
• PlayStation 4
• Nintendo Switch
• Wii U
• Xbox 360
• Playstation 3

Related: Skull and Bones vs Sea of Thieves, compared

Salt 2: Shores of Gold

Salt 2: Shores of Gold offers a single-player pirate experience for those who dislike the multiplayer aspect of Sea of Thieves. This pirate game focuses more on the RPG aspect than Sea of Thieves but features a similar style and gameplay. It features a procedurally generated world, ensuring you will always have horizons to sail toward. Make sure to decorate and personalize your ship along the way. Salt 2: Shores of Gold is available on the following platforms.

• PC (Early Access)

Return to Monkey Island

The Monkey Island series needs no introduction, and Return to Monkey Island is the perfect way to get back into the series. Follow Guybrush Threepwood and his eternal battle against the fearsome Captain LeChuck in a new adventure. While the aesthetic of Return to Monkey Island has changed, the delightful humor and wonderful point-and-click gameplay remain the same. Return to Monkey Island is available on the following platforms.

• PC
• Xbox Series X|S
• PlayStation 5
• Nintendo Switch

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is an outstanding pirate adventure mixed with classic Dungeons & Dragons. Form a crew, and set sail as you pursue a rogue god across the world. Act as captain of your ship and see your fellow party members through a dangerous voyage. It features real-time or turn-based combat, whichever suits your fancy. This CRPG may be different than other titles on this list, but it nails the pirate theme. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is available on the following platforms.

• PC
• PlayStation 4
• Xbox One

Related: Will Skull and Bones get DLC – Is Skull and Bones a live service game?

Sid Meier's Pirates!

Sid Meier's Pirates is a classic and a must-have on this list. Few pirate games have reached the acclaim that this gem has. This open-world RPG was far ahead of its time and still holds up today. Explore the Caribbean and live the pirate life as you duel pirates, raid villages and ships, find romance, dig up buried treasure, and more. Sid Meier's Pirates! is available on the following platforms.

• PC
• Xbox
• Xbox 360
• PlayStation Portable
• Wii
• iOS

For more information on pirates, check out What does The Red Sea mean in Sea of Thieves? and Is there character and ship customization in Skull and Bones? on Pro Game Guides.