Pillaging, cannon-blasting, swashbuckling, and a whole lot of rum. A pirate’s life is hard! But fun. Whether you like strategies, adventures, or simple action-oriented games, the pirate game niche has it all, and while this theme hasn’t seen a lot of titles, there are still some real gems waiting to be discovered. Here are some of our picks for the best pirate games out there.
These pirate games don’t quite make the actual ‘best pirate games’ list due to a variety of reasons; they deserve honourable mentions so the pirate game genre can keep growing. Check them out:
Although this game had a bit of a rocky launch, the developers really put in the work and added a ton of content over the previous year. With stunning visuals and the surprisingly fun open-sea gameplay, it’s well worth a second look. Give this game a go, as Ubisoft seems committed to making Skull and Bones a polished pirate adventure.
Doom meets the Pirates of the Caribbean in this over-the-top fantasy pirate game. It was announced recently, and the hype is real, as the trailer looks fantastic. From the fast-paced combat to the thrilling backing music, what we’ve seen certainly looks promising. Although the trailer left us with limited information, the bold art style of Davy x Jones is phenomenal, and we hope that the gameplay will deliver too.
Image Source: Steam
Probably the only battle-royale pirate game out there, Blazing Sails sets you and three of your teammates up against three other teams fighting for survival on the sea. This fast-paced, competitive game is all about fun, cooperation, and chaotic naval skirmishes, as you traverse the land and the sea for loot and resources to help you sink the enemy ships.
The battle royale genre fits the pirate setting perfectly, as both revolve around combat and action. Raise your flags and enter the hectic world of Blazing Sails, a wild sea of thrills and mayhem.
Image Source: Steam
Abandon Ship is a fantasy warship game published in 2019, set in a strange and captivating Lovecraftian world. Although it is an indie game developed by a small team, the game has an incredible amount of detail depicting a vast, story-filled sea. For those familiar, the gameplay loop is similar to FTL: Faster Than Light’s loop, meaning that there is a set of points you need to explore to progress to a new area. The world is procedurally generated, so no two loops are the same.
There is a Kraken-worshipping cult on your trail, and numerous enemy ships and mythological monsters are set to sink your ship, making Abandon Ship a battle of endurance and strategising. If you’re up for the challenge, set sail in this bizarre fantasy world.
Image Source: Epic Games
A homage to one of the 90s’ most famous adventure game franchises, Return to Monkey Island is a 2022 point-and-click adventure game continuing the story of Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge. What sets it apart from other point-and-click titles of today is its hilarious tone and narrative, and the gorgeous art style. The developers ditched the pixel graphics and went for a more bold, modern look, and the positive reviews prove this was the right move.
The polished controls and interface mechanics are well-executed, so the game feels great to play. The soundtrack also hit the mark, and you can hear refined versions of some of the franchise’s most famous songs throughout the game. Whether you’re new to Monkey Island or an old-school fan, Return to Monkey Island is a must-play for point-and-click enthusiasts.
Image Source: YouTube
Sid Meier’s Pirates is a 2004 strategy/action/adventure video game remake of the earlier 1987 game of the same name. The story takes off when pirates kidnap your family members, forcing you to head out to the sea. You can follow the main storyline, but you’re free to explore the West Indies however you choose. The gameplay largely consists of sailing the seas and battling other captains, either from a distance or by boarding their ships with your crew.
Sid Meier’s Pirates skillfully blends the strategic element of Sid Meier’s games with a fun and exciting action-adventure play style. Each playthrough is different, and the strategy element is surprisingly deep, as you can manage diplomatic ties and take advantage of the game’s economy system. While the visuals haven’t aged well by today’s standards and can discourage modern-day gamers from giving the game a try, once you pick it up, it’s hard to put it down, as Sid Meier’s Pirates is a certified pirate classic.
Image Source: Steam
Sea of Thieves is an online action-adventure pirate game inspired by ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Goonies’. Set sail alone or with a crew of up to four other players in this fun open-world adventure. Although the game had a bit of a rough start, receiving mixed reviews on its launch in 2018, Rare (the developers) released numerous content updates and improvements, making Sea of Thieves one of the most enjoyable pirate experiences today.
The graphics designers hit the spot too, as the game looks gorgeous. The aesthetics, coupled with the overall gameplay experience, make for a fun and thrilling journey across the waves. If you’re a pirate buff, cast off alone or with your friends and command your ship, dig up buried treasures, or combat other pirates in this exciting sea world.
Image Source: Steam
A pirate Yakuza game? Sign me up!
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a 2025 spin-off of the popular Like a Dragon series (formerly known outside of Japan as Yakuza). This wacky, action-packed beat ‘em up game is set in the region surrounding Hawaii, and places you in the shoes of Goro Majima, a legendary gangster who, through a hilarious turn of events, finds himself captaining a pirate ship to find the lost treasure of a sunken Spanish ship.
Besides the classic Yakuza combat, the game introduces high-octane ship battles inspired by the Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag ship combat, adding some fun and thrilling new mechanics. There is a ton of side content – from deep character customisation and engaging side quests to an absurd variety of mini-games – all of it packed with the series’ signature charm and madness.
Image Source: Steam
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is a 2018 sequel to the extremely popular RPG Pillars of Eternity, developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, this game offers a deep and immersive fantasy world to explore.
Deadfire’s world is set amidst tropical islands and pirate ships, in a place ravaged by conflict and war, which puts you in a difficult spot as you try to help the place come back to life. Keep in mind that this is an incredibly simplified synopsys, as the game has some extremely complex and deep storylines to pursue. The story and various decisions that lead you to new plots are also some of the best elements of Deadfire, so if you wish to get lost in a fantasy world full of intricate characters and ideas, jump right in.
Image Source: Amazon.com
Although Assassin’s Creed has generally been all about stealth and parkouring over medieval cities, Ubisoft took to the seas with their sixth major Assassin’s Creed instalment. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag offers a vast digital sea to explore while you command your ship and battle other pirates. The story blends the fictional saga of the Assassins – Templars conflict with the tale of the golden age of piracy, taking place in the West Indies in the 18th century.
The game retains the stealth combat system set on land, the franchise is known for, but unlike the previous instalments, Black Flag is heavily focused on the ship-based naval exploration of the large open world map. This critically acclaimed title became one of the best pirate video games of 2013, and the gaming hype still holds to this day.
What’s your favourite pirate game? Let us know in the comments below!
LOL
CS2
Dota 2
Valorant
Fortnite
Call of Duty
Mobile Games
Gaming
EN Global 
JP 日本語