Best and Worst Open-world Pirate Games of the Last Decade

If you are looking for the most intriguing open-world pirate games, look no further. The list of games below will introduce you to the best and worst pirate games made in the last decade, going from the worst to the best. From first-person adventures and survival to epic ship battles, these games have got you covered. Let us set sail.

Vendetta: Curse of Raven’s Cry

Vendetta: Curse of Raven’s Cry is set in the 17th century Caribbean. Players take on the role of Christopher Raven, a pirate seeking revenge for the murder of his family by a Spanish captain named Neville “The Devil” Scranton and his gang, the Devil’s Tines.

As Christopher, players navigate the open world, completing various quests and engaging in naval battles with other pirates and enemy ships. Along the way, they encounter many characters, some of whom help in their quest for revenge. As the story progresses, players learn that the quest for revenge may not be as straightforward as initially thought and must navigate a complex web of alliances and betrayal to uncover the truth behind Christopher’s family’s murder.

The game was considered one of the worst video games of 2015 by critics. One major criticism was the game’s poor technical performance. Many players experienced frequent bugs and glitches that made the game hard to play and frustrating to navigate. The graphics are good, but the animations were criticized as being subpar and outdated, which further detracted from the game’s overall appeal.

Many players and critics criticized the game’s lack of polish and attention to detail. The game was riddled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies, and many of the game’s mechanics and systems were poorly implemented. For example, many inconsistencies in animation and character damage were detected in the combat system. Additionally, the game’s pacing was uneven, with long stretches of monotonous gameplay punctuated by sudden spikes in difficulty.

Despite all these negative reviews, some players say they enjoy the game, focusing on the most appealing aspect of the game for them. A short walkthrough of the game can be found on Matt McMuscles’ channel on YouTube.

Initial release date: November 2015

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox 360, macOS

Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/386280/Vendetta__Curse_of_Ravens_Cry

Blood and Gold: Caribbean!

Blood and Gold” is a sandbox RPG that will take you back to the 17th century Caribbean. It is not your typical pirate game. This open-world RPG combines economic strategy with thrilling adventure. You’ll play as a captain with your own ship to commandeer, building your own fleet and army, managing your commercial property and convoys, and engaging in epic naval battles. Raid enemy vessels and explore the Caribbean for hidden treasures.

Actions in the game will raise or lower your reputation with different factions, which can lead to opportunities for warmongering, governing a city, and owning property. With special missions that range from protecting brothels to burning down buildings, there’s never a dull moment in Blood & Gold. And when you need a break from the action, try your luck at the blackjack table.

Although Blood & Gold is an interesting pirate game that immerses you in its story, it has a lot of issues. The learning curve is very steep, and there are no tutorials to guide you through the game. It suffers from directionless gameplay with limited quest variety, mainly involving killing bandits or delivering trade goods. Quests that do tell a story are disconnected from the world. The sandbox gameplay feels like a series of random events rather than a coherent narrative. The graphics seem outdated, and the animation is awkward. But at least it’s an open-world pirate game, and we all love pirates!

Initial release date: December 2015

Platforms: Windows

Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/413710/Blood_and_Gold_Caribbean

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Windward

Set sail in Windward, a thrilling naval-themed sandbox video game that takes you on an unforgettable adventure. Travel across a vast, procedurally generated world filled with treacherous islands, bustling ports, and dangerous foes.

You can play Windward solo, but the real fun begins when you play with friends. You can align yourself with one of the factions, including pirates, traders or the navy. Together, you will complete various missions or engage in epic naval battles with enemy factions. Whether you prefer to play solo or with your crew of scallywags, the possibilities are endless.

As you explore the vast seas, you will encounter valuable resources, upgrades for your ship, and new towns that require your assistance. But beware, as you venture farther from your base camp, you will face off against various pirates who will stop at nothing to claim what’s rightfully yours. But fear not, as you gain combat experience, you can unlock new talents and abilities to overcome any challenge that crosses your path.

Take on consignments with towns and fulfill their production shortages to watch them grow, offering more quests, better items, and resources. As the towns continue to prosper, you can choose to upgrade your ship with a fast Schooner for exploring, a heavy Galleon that can carry five consignments at once, or even a massive Ship of the Line to take the fight to the pirate’s territory.

Reputation is key in Windward. Build a fearsome reputation, and your enemies will respect and fear you, avoiding you if possible. Some friendly groups will even follow and assist you in your adventures, giving you the upper hand against any foe that dares to cross your path. So, start your adventure and embark on a journey that will make you a legendary ship captain in Windward!

Initial release date: May 2015

Platforms: Windows, Linux, MacOS

Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/326410/Windward

Salt 2: Shores of Gold

Salt 2 is an exciting survival adventure game that takes players on an epic journey through the high seas. As a pirate, you will explore a procedurally generated open world filled with mysterious islands. The game places a strong emphasis on exploration, crafting, and survival. There are islands to be discovered, filled with caves, ruins, pirate camps, and other mysterious places to explore. As you sail in any direction you want, you’ll need to hunt and fish for survival and craft your own weapons and armor. You must also level up your character by unlocking unique skills and talents.

Salt 2 puts an emphasis on its single player gameplay, the exploration, and survival experience. You won’t need to worry about managing your boat or being attacked by other players at sea. Instead, you’ll immerse yourself in quests, discovering interesting places, and crafting tools that will help you survive in this harsh environment. Fight off wandering animals, meet interesting characters, and battle pirates along the way. With many ship decorations, you can customize your vessel to your heart’s content. And with the world procedurally generated, you can explore for as long as you want in any direction.

The graphics are great, especially the water effects. There is a day/night cycle in the game, so expect things to get scary at night. The combat system is somewhat simplistic, and the enemies die pretty fast. Salt 2 is an indie game developed by a small team. It is an expansion of the original Salt game released in 2018. The development team is very open to the community, so you can contact them with any issues you find. The game is currently in early access, so you can check it out. You can see a short demo of the game on the Splattercatgaming channel on YouTube.

Initial release date: July 2022 (Early Access)

Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S

Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1574900/Salt_2_Shores_of_Gold

King of Seas

Set sail on a swashbuckling adventure in “King of Seas”, the ultimate ARPG set in a treacherous pirate world. Discover lost islands and sunken treasures as you battle rival pirates and monstrous creatures to become the most legendary pirate of all time!

Embark on a series of quests that will guide you through the intriguing characters and rich story of the “King of Seas” world. Customize your ship and explore a lush, procedurally generated world. But beware, the world reacts to your every move, with changing naval routes and increased difficulty as you conquer settlements. As you navigate the treacherous seas, a thick fog will make your journey challenging, adding to the joy of exploration.

Engage in thrilling battles with many different skills to choose from, and three branches of talents to suit your playstyle. Every battle won will drive up the bounty on your head, earning you a place among the most famous pirates in history. And when you need a break from battling, why not try your hand at fishing? Remember to observe the time of day and weather conditions to maximize your catch.

Don’t forget the special missions and treasure hunts that await you, providing extra rewards and new adventures with each conquered settlement. Take advantage of trading opportunities as each settlement produces specific products with their own market value. Choose from multiple difficulty levels that will substantially multiply the bounty obtained in the game. So hoist the anchor and set sail, matey! Are you ready to become the King of Seas?

Initial release date: May 2021

Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1209410/King_of_Seas

Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves is an action-adventure game that takes place in a shared open-world environment filled with islands, treasure, and other players. In Sea of Thieves, you set sail on a grand adventure of piracy and plunder. The game puts you in the boots of a swashbuckling pirate. From navigating treacherous waters to engaging in epic battles with rival crews, Sea of Thieves offers everything you need to live out your pirate dreams and become a legend in your own right. It emphasizes cooperative gameplay and an immersive pirate-themed world.

With no set roles or restrictions, you have complete freedom to explore the vast open-world environment and interact with other players however you choose. Will you form alliances and work together to uncover buried treasure, or will you engage in cutthroat tactics and battle it out for riches and glory? The choice is yours. If you prefer playing on your own, you can join forces with Captain Jack Sparrow and complete unique quests in the “Tall Tales” campaign.

But beware, as danger lurks around every corner, from skeletal warriors and sea monsters to the legendary Kraken itself. Only the bravest and most cunning pirates survive these dangerous encounters and emerge victorious. So what are you waiting for? Grab your crew, hoist the sails, and embark on the ultimate pirate adventure – who knows, you just might become a legend in the process.

Initial release date: March 2018

Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S

Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1172620/Sea_of_Thieves_2023_Edition

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

It’s 1715, the Caribbean is ruled by ruthless pirates, in a place where greed and cruelty run rampant. And in the midst of all this chaos is a young Welsh captain, Edward Kenway, whose thirst for glory has earned him the respect of legends like Blackbeard. But Edward’s journey takes an unexpected turn when he gets caught up in the ancient war between Assassins and Templars. A war that could put an end to everything the pirates have worked so hard to achieve.

As Edward Kenway, you’ll become a charismatic and fearsome pirate captain, trained by Assassins. Armed with your blade and other weapons, you’ll explore the largest and most diverse world ever created for an Assassin’s Creed game. From bustling cities to hidden coves, lost ruins, and untamed jungles, there are many unique and interesting locations to explore.

But you won’t just be a pirate; you’ll be the most feared pirate in the Caribbean. Commanding your ship, the Jackdaw, and striking fear in all who see her. Plunder and pillage to upgrade the Jackdaw with ammunition and equipment needed to fight off enemy ships. You’ll also be able to seamlessly board massive galleons, recruit sailors to join your crew, and embark on an epic and infamous adventure.

But that’s not all. Assassin’s Creed IV has a great multiplayer experience. Put your assassination skills to the test and embark on an online journey throughout the Caribbean. You can discover a brand new set of pirate characters and explore exotic and colorful locations. You can even craft your own multiplayer mode by choosing the game rules, abilities and bonuses. Play and share your newly created mode with your friends, and become the ultimate pirate!

Initial release date: October 2013

Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, Google Stadia

Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/242050/Assassins_Creed_IV_Black_Flag

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Summary

If you are tired of AAA games and wander why people love indie games so much, read my The Charm of Indie Games: Are They Better Than AAA Titles? article. And if you want to learn more about games and game development, I encourage you to browse through my blog here.