The Best Pirate Games Ever

Pirates are 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.

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Despite their general popularity in media such as film and TV, pirates are often under-represented in video games. That being said, some excellent and incredibly popular pirate games 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 find some quality pirate gaming experiences if they know where to look.

7

Sea Of Thieves

A Solid Multiplayer Pirate Experience, If Slightly Lacking In Depth

Released

March 20, 2018

ESRB

T for Teen: Crude Humor, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Sea of Thieves is an online PvPvE game wherein 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 of Sea of Thieves is to obtain loot and riches by any means necessary, as pirates do.

Sea Of Thieves excels in its ship mechanics and general aesthetic, allowing players to sail across gorgeous seas and engage in compelling 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 Thieves offers the quintessential multiplayer pirate sandbox, even if it’s somewhat lacking in depth.

6

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4

A Bombastic But Non-Standard Pirate Game

Action

Adventure

Beat ‘Em Up

Released

March 27, 2020

ESRB

t

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is the fourth entry in the One Piece: Pirate Warriors series, a collection of beat ’em up games set in the One Piece universe. The games combine the anime One Piece and the Dynasty Warriors game series, blending characters from the anime with the latter’s combat system.

One Piece is an anime about Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, a group of pirates known as the Straw Hats. The game blends the Dynasty Warriors formula with the unique and bombastic pirate presentation made famous by the anime. While not the most typical depiction of pirates, One Piece is one of the most popular modern pirate franchises, and the Pirate Warriors games offer a unique pirate game experience.

5

Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii

A Fun Pirate Game Limited By Its Position In A Lengthy Franchise

Released

February 21, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol

The Yakuza/Like A Dragon series 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 the Yakuza games truly set themselves apart when embracing the more comedic and wacky aspects 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.

4

Return To Monkey Island

The Return To A Classic Pirate Game Setting

Systems

Released

September 19, 2022

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language

Monkey Island is a series of adventure games that see the player take control of Guybrush Threepwood, a pirate who wants to defeat the undead pirate LeChuck and become a famous swashbuckler. The games feature puzzles and plenty of quirky characters, alongside a lighthearted and comedic tone.

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Return to Monkey Island is 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 Island is 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.

3

Sid Meier’s Pirates

The Classic Pirate Game

Strategy

Action-Adventure

Released

November 22, 2004

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes

Sid Meier’s Pirates is one of the most classic and well-regarded pirate games. Created by the mind behind the Civilization series, Sid Meier’s Pirates offers 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 Pirates offers 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.

2

Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire

A Unique But Incredibly Compelling Approach To A Pirate Setting

Released

May 8, 2018

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is a sequel to the incredibly popular and critically acclaimed Pillars 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 Eternity is inspired by D&D, and as such, offers a deep fantasy experience.

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Deadfire boasts a unique setting from its predecessor, using the same game systems, but this time set amidst a vast archipelago. Deadfire is 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: Deadfire falls 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.

1

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

The Quintessential Modern Pirate Game

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

Action-Adventure

Open-World

Released

October 29, 2013

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Assassin’s Creed is 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 Flag is still likely the largest deviation in terms of setting and mechanics.

Black Flag is 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 of Black Flag is centered around naval combat. Players can upgrade their ship and become feared on both sea and 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 Flag is generally considered the best on the market.

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The Best Open-World Games About Pirates

Pirate media is always popular, but there are not that many open-world games about pirates. These are the best open-world pirate games.