Skull and Bones: Everything We Know About Ubisoft's Pirate RPG

20.01.2024 - 00:15 / ign.com / Ubisoft

Ubisoft is gearing up for its first AAA release of 2024 with Skull and Bones. The pirate-themed co-op open-world action RPG is coming to consoles and PC over a decade after it was originally conceived as an expansion for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

After six delays across six years, Skull and Bones is finally on the release schedule for mid-February. For those curious about Ubisoft’s pirate adventure, we’ve got everything you need to know about Skull and Bones below.

Skull and Bones will be released on February 16. Those who purchase the Premium Edition or subscribe to Ubisoft+ can play three days early (February 13).

Skull and Bones will be released for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It costs $70 USD on consoles and $60 on PC.

In addition to the standard version of Skull and Bones, Ubisoft is offering a Premium Edition for $90. The Premium Edition, as detailed by Ubisoft, includes the following:

Skull and Bones is an action RPG that can be played solo or with up to two others. Its primary gameplay system is naval combat, though you’ll spend time on land as well collecting contracts and preparing for your next seafaring adventure.

Naval combat appears to be a much more robust version of that found in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed Rogue. In Skull and Bones, ships can be customized in great detail to match your aesthetic and practical desires. There will be 10 ships at launch, each with different perks that strengthen specific aspects of your ship, from offense and defense to navigation and smuggling. Within each of those ships, you’ll be able to customize your weaponry, armor, and furniture — all of which affect a ship’s stats. Weaponry includes cannons, ballistae, mortars, rocket launchers, and torpedoes. On the cosmetic side, you’ll be able to customize the color of your ship’s hull; the color, pattern, and emblem of your ship’s sails; and your ship's figurehead. You can also choose from a variety of pets to keep you company at sea — cats and lemurs are two animals Ubisoft has named.

Smaller, yet notable open-sea gameplay mechanics include a spyglass, which allows you to identify a ship’s rank and loadout from a distance, and flares, which you can shoot into the sky to rally nearby players to your aid. Naval combat is largely PvE, though PvP battles can be initiated by picking up legendary treasure maps.

In addition to doing battle with other pirate ships, you’ll encounter settlements, production sites, outposts, and forts. Settlements can be pillaged or utilized as trade hubs. Production sites are a specific type of settlement where materials and goods can be bought and sold. Outposts are neutral areas where you can repair your ship, buy supplies, pick up contracts, and/or