It is no secret thatSkull and Bonesfailed to impress gamers when it launched in 2024. Originally, it was supposed to serve as a spiritual successor toAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, but after years of development, it ended up not being quite what players expected. Instead of being this brand-new massive pirate adventure, it was bogged down considerably by live-service mechanics and lackluster gameplay. While that failure likely means players will never see anotherSkull and Bones, the core concept does not deserve to be killed off.
Skull and Bonesmay have failed to make its mark, but the concept of a massive pirate adventure in the style ofBlack Flagsounds like a recipe for success. Letting players control their very own pirate ship could lead to hours of fun, as long as the gameplay is able to deliver on that experience. So, even though Ubisoft will likely leave this title behind, it should really consider taking another stab at the concept. And if Ubisoft will not do it, then another studio should really consider it.
Skull and Bones Should Live On in Another Form
A Pirate Action-Adventure Has a Ton of Potential
At its core, theSkull and Bonesconcept sounds extremely promising. Back in 2013, players fell in love withAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, with some still considering it to be the best entry in the franchise. It was just great to control Edward Kenway and his crew as they made a name for themselves during the Golden Age of Piracy. Combining that concept with theAssassin’s Creedgameplay led to an unforgettable experience, so whenSkull and Boneswas announced back in 2017, many were excited to see just where Ubisoft would take this concept next.
Originally, it seemed likeSkull and Boneswould deliver on that promise and kick off a new pirate adventure for players to sink hours into. Sadly, it failed to deliver on that premise. However, that is not because of the pirate concept, but instead because of the lackluster gameplay and live-service elements. In fact, many fans ofAssassin’s Creedare stilllooking for that nextBlack Flagexperience, with some clamoring for Ubisoft to just remake that original title. And while a remake is rumored to be on the table, another standalone pirate adventure also feels like a must.
The Skull and Bones Concept Deserves Another Shot
To this day,the pirate concept is an extremely popular one, yet no studio has really delivered on that potential recently. If a studio were to finally give players that experience, it could lead to something truly special. It would just have to strip out all the live-service elements, focus on telling an engaging adventure, and include vital mechanics like ship boarding and exciting treasure hunts. As long as the studio can nail down that gameplay loop, it could be a fantastic adventure.
Of course, due to the failures ofSkull and Bones, there is a strong chance that Ubisoft has no interest in exploring this concept again outsidethat rumoredBlack Flagremake. If that is the case, then another studio should really consider taking the concept on. There is just too much potential for an engrossing pirate adventure for it to just be left gathering dust. Even if it comes in a much smaller package than previous adventures, it really needs to happen.
Alternatively, if Ubisoft were to explore a pirate-themed world again, it could always tie it toAssassin’s Creedto play it safe. The studio has already made a secondBlack Flag-like adventure withAssassin’s Creed: Rogue, so there is seemingly no reason it could not do it again. And with the new RPG framework the franchise is built around, a brand-new pirate adventure inAssassin’s Creedcould easily blowBlack Flagout of the water.
