Best Open-World Games With A Focus On Ship And Pirate Exploration

Summary

• Set sail on a pirate adventure with open-world games like Skull and Bones for PC and consoles.
• Join friends in Blackwake for cooperative multiplayer naval battles in a challenging open world.
• Explore the seas, battle other players, and search for treasure in Sea of Thieves for a classic pirate experience.

Open-world games allow players to explore to their heart’s content in a landscape that is filled with things to do. While many great open-world games tend to keep to solid ground, other players yearn for titles that allow them to explore a world of mighty seas with various strong ships to sail on them.

There are quite a few open-world games that have a focus on ships and pirate exploration that can be enjoyed on not only PC but consoles too. These open-world games are by far the best for those that wish to sail across the seas on a vessel and perhaps even get involved in the pirate lifestyle.

8

Skull And Bones

Become An Infamous Pirate Kingpin

Skull and Bones may not be entirely what players expected when it first released, but it cannot be denied that this open-world title is still one of the best for players to consider when looking for a game that has a heavy focus on exploring the seas on ships while being a pirate.

Players are able to explore the Indian Ocean in Skull and Bones while they take part in various pirate activities so that one day they can see themselves become the Pirate Kingpin. Players don’t need to explore alone in this open world as players can form a crew with two friends or just other players to better improve their chances of survival at sea.

7

Blackwake

A First-Person Multiplayer Naval Adventure

• Platform: PC
• Released: February 24, 2017
• Developer: Mastfire Studios Pty Ltd
• Genre: Action and Strategy

Players that are looking for cooperative gameplay in an open world with the main focus being on naval battles should look no further than Blackwake. While other open-world games that have a focus on ships may have players sailing alone, Blackwake needs players to work together to manage their boat while other players man the canons against attackers.

With combat being such a staple of Blackwake, these open maps also require the player to focus on maintaining their ship through repairs and resupplying their artillery. There is still plenty more to explore, as these open maps aren’t just water, with each having various weathers to compete against too.

6

Sea Of Thieves

One Of The Most Loved Open-world Pirate Games

One of the greatest open-world pirate games for players to enjoy that has still received regular updates since its original release is Sea of Thieves. There are plenty of activities on the open-sea for any player hoping to become a Pirate Lord in Sea of Thieves.

From taking the typical pirate route of battling other players on the waves to searching for buried treasure, there is plenty to get stuck into. Navigating the map of Sea of Thieves is no small feat, with plenty of islands to explore; those hoping to avoid conflict with other players can play the Safer Seas game mode, allowing for relatively stress-free travel across the open seas.

5

Sid Meier’s Pirates!

A Classic Pirate Adventure

Even with pirate adventures becoming popular once more with modern titles released, classics like Sid Meier’s Pirates! are still some of the best when looking to sail within the Caribbean. This open-world RPG allows the player to experience the world of pirates however they see fit, as the oceans beg for the player to explore them.

Putting together a crew in Sid Meier’s Pirates is the first step to becoming a pirate that history will remember, as after this, its back to the water to battle other pirates, raid villages, and maybe even capture the hearts of some maidens.

4

Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii

Become A Modern-Day Pirate

Some players never expected Yakuza and pirates to be combined. However, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is the open-world pirate adventure many players have been searching for. Players can expect all the usual combat of the original Like a Dragon series, though now, they can even take part in ship battles on the seas of Hawaii.

Ex-Yakuza turned pirate captain, Goro Majime, is the perfect protagonist for this modern pirate adventure as he gets his ship together while looking for his lost memories. In between bits of story, players should be sure to upgrade their ship and crew for an even better experience.

3

Cat Quest 3

Explore As A Kitty Pirate In A 2.5D World

Although many pirate games tend to focus on historical accuracy or feeling realistic, an open-world game like Cat Quest brings the adorable factor to a pirate adventure with the third game in the franchise, Cat Quest 3. Players should expect plenty of kitty puns in this pirate world as they explore a 2.5D map as the purrfect pirate captain.

Those that already enjoyed the first two games in the franchise are sure to settle right in with Cat Quest 3 as the epic action of this RPG continues. There are plenty of new features introduced to the franchise, with the third game being the first to allow players to sail across the seas to really get into the pirate vibes as well as battle within this cute ship.

2

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

Sail Between Islands In The Beautiful Caribbean

Skull and Bones isn’t the only pirate game to be created by Ubisoft, with the original — and arguably better title — being Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. Set in 1715 when pirates ruled the Caribbean, this title in the Assassin’s Creed franchise introduces new gameplay to players through ship battles and plenty of other activities within the sea to enjoy.

The open-world is truly filled to the brim with things to do, as playing as the pirate Edward Kenway will lead to the players diving deep underwater to find lost treasures, hunting rare animals found both in the water and on the various islands around the Caribbean, as well as assassinating the Templars to bring players back to the Assassin’s Creed franchise.

1

Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Hunt Down A Rogue God Over Land And Sea

Even with the popularity of newly released Avowed, that game cannot be considered an open-world title. However, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is also part of the world Avowed is based on. In this RPG, players are sent on an epic quest to put a stop to a rogue god that is hoping to destroy the world.

Navigating the islands in Deadfire requires the player to have access to a boat, which gives them the freedom to explore. While players may not entirely be a pirate in Pillars of Eternity 2, as the captain of the vessel, it is up to the player to focus on upgrading their crew and ship in the hopes of surviving the various encounters of this RPG both in and out of the main story.