10 Best Pirate Video Games

pirates

In reality, living as a pirate was far from glamorous, but that hasn't stopped the media from telling stories of grand adventures and swashbuckling romances, themes that have made their way into the video game world as well. Whether it's a fantasy setting or a historical one (which are a whole lot scarier), these video games are the perfect picks for someone in need of some high seas excitement.

10 'Risen 2: Dark Waters' (2012)

Risen 2: Dark Waters is not a perfect game; heck, it's not even a game that everybody will like. Some people even vehemently despise the game, though it has found its niche of dedicated fans. Ultimately, the game got mixed reviews after launch, but that hasn't stopped people from continuing to play it 14 years later. The first Risen game was a typical fantasy RPG, but this sequel stripped away the vibe of the original and instead pivoted to a pirate theme, which ultimately served it for the better.

This game is set in a high fantasy world, meaning there are aspects of magic and monsters that don't translate to the real world. However, there is a lot going for it: its atmosphere is amazing, the scale of the adventure is wonderful, and perhaps best of all, you can get yourself a pet monkey. However, there are some shortcomings here, namely the game's atrocious combat system and the fact that you cannot directly control your ship. If this game had a little more time in the oven, it could have been amazing. Unfortunately, what players got was only above average, and a painful example of wasted potential.

9 'Sea of Thieves' (2018)

Sea of Thieves is a massive multiplayer sandbox without any real plot to it. You're pretty much free to do whatever you want, whether that be searching for buried treasure or raiding other players' ships for loot. The cartoony visuals aren't exactly the best, but they certainly do give the game a unique vibe. It should be noted that in this game, other players aren't the only thing you'll have to worry about, as terrifying sea monsters also lurk in the depths.

Sea of Thieves has seamless transitioning between ship combat and first-person fighting, with a variety of weapons to choose from. The game never truly ends because there's no main questline, but that's the best part about it. It does have some flaws, but for the most part, Sea of Thieves is adored for how much fun it is to grab a few friends and sail the seas together.

8 'Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game' (2011)

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game is one of many Lego games to come out over the years. Most Lego games are based on their corresponding toy lines, which are, in turn, inspired by movies or TV shows. This game recreates the first four movies of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (seeing as the fifth hadn't come out yet) in Lego, and allows gamers to play as their favourite characters.

In each level, there are collectibles and secrets to discover, as well as puzzles to solve and adventures to be had. The game, like most Lego adventures, has a bit of a juvenile sense of humor, relying heavily on slapstick and such, but it's still fun and accessible for players of all ages. It's far from the strongest Lego game out there, but it still does a pretty good job. To be honest, very rarely does Lego ever produce a genuinely bad video game.

7 'Sid Meier's Pirates!' (2004)

Sid Meier is typically known as the guy behind the Civilization series of strategy games, but he's also responsible for Sid Meier's Pirates!, a game initially released in 1987. In 2004, the game was remade for more modern systems, improving on what was already a solid game in every way imaginable. Like many of Meier's efforts, it is a strategy game at heart, though it does come with an actual plotline.

It primarily functions as several different minigames, all seamlessly integrated into one larger adventure. The minigames are pretty varied and require different types of skills, so your mileage may vary as to which are easiest and which are more difficult. Some of these minigames include ship-to-ship combat, while others include evading guards or swordplay. It's an overlooked game in Meier's repertoire that is desperately in need of rediscovery.

6 'Windrose' (2026)

Windrose is an early access game on Steam that is making an absolute killing so far. It's a pirate-themed survival game that has received very positive reviews, set in an alternate version of the Golden Age of Piracy. The game is heavily focused on co-op, though you can also play solo if you'd like. Much of the game's mechanics are typical of survival games: you can build a base and hoard resources, but you can also sail your ship and do battle with other vessels.

In just six days after the early access launched, Windrose sold over one million copies. Players have expressed adoration for its base-building, ship-to-ship combat, expansive world, and emphasis on co-op, which add to the experience and make it much more fun. While it's PC only for now, there's always the potential that this could come out for consoles; you never know.

5 'Far Cry 3' (2012)

Far Cry 3 was when Ubisoft's first-person survival shooter franchise really took off. The story is set in the present day, when a group of friends vacationing in Southeast Asia decide to take a brief skydiving trip. They end up parachuting off course, landing in the fictitious Rook Islands, where they are immediately captured by pirates. This approach reflects the real-life piracy incidents that happen in the Andaman Sea, near Indonesia.

Leading the pirates is Vaas Montenegro, brought to life by actor Michael Mando. Vaas is widely considered one of the most compelling and entertaining video game protagonists of all time—he's a ton of fun to listen to, even if, as he himself implies, he is a bit insane. Playing as Jason Brody, players must learn to survive the harsh wilderness as they locate their friends and rescue them from the pirates before finding a way off the island. This open-world game is still being played to this day, a testament to its outstanding quality and infinite replayability. Sure, it might not be a traditional swashbuckling story, but pirates play such a major role in the game that it still counts.

4 'The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition' (2009)

The original The Secret of Monkey Island was a classic game that completely changed the landscape of the medium. Coming out in 1990, the game has received endless acclaim and is frequently ranked among the best ever made. 19 years after the release of the original, LucasArts made a Special Edition, which added hand-drawn artwork rather than pixels, and even included proper voice acting. Better yet, the game has an option to revert back to its old-school aesthetic, for anyone needing to feel some '90s nostalgia.

This hokey story stars Guybrush Threepwood, an aspiring pirate who wants to seek the legendary treasure that is rumoured to be on the elusive Monkey Island, whose location few know. Hiding beneath the surface of the island is the ghost pirate LeChuck, who aims to make Threepwood's life miserable. This point-and-click adventure is full of quirky humor, sarcasm, and incredible dialogue that are absolutely unrivalled in the world of gaming. As one of the most influential games ever made, it is something that everybody should play through at least once.

3 'Uncharted 4: A Thief's End' (2016)

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is the final entry in the series to star Nathan Drake, the famed treasure hunter who serves as the primary protagonist. Reuniting with his brother Sam, previously presumed dead, they embark on one last journey to the lost pirate colony of Libertalia (off the coast of Madagascar) to find the long-lost treasure hidden by the infamous pirate Henry Avery.

This game is set in the present day, so there's not a whole lot of swashbuckling that goes on for the most part, but pirates still play a huge part in the story. Still, the game has all the beats of a stereotypical pirate adventure: high seas adventure, hidden treasures, sword fights, and sweeping romance. It's a ton of fun to play, with an impeccable combat system, massive cinematic scale, and impressive visuals that likely couldn't get any better if they tried.

2 'The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker' (2002)

The Legend of Zelda is a pretty varied franchise, with each entry focusing on a different mechanic or gimmick. The Wind Waker was the first game to have a uniquely cartoonish aesthetic, as opposed to the slightly more realistic graphics of the other games. On top of that, this was also the first game to feature sailing as a regular part of gameplay, with the open world being more ocean than land.

The boat that players use may be small, but pirates are still a pretty important factor in the story. Though Link himself is not a pirate, much of the plot revolves around saving Tetra, who is most definitely a pirate. What's neat about this game is that the wind actually factors into your sailing speed, making for realistic conditions on the Great Sea. Even though you might not play as a pirate, you can still do some distinctly pirate-like things, such as searching for buried treasure and exploring the sea at your will. Today, the game is considered a masterpiece, much like almost every single other game in the series.

1 'Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag' (2013)

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is widely considered one of the best entries in the long-running franchise. Set during the Golden Age of Piracy, the story follows pirate-turned-assassin Edward Kenway as he sails across the Caribbean in search of a mystical facility created by the Isu, a mythical race of beings that came before humans in the world of Assassin's Creed. Along the way, players will get to interact with history's most notorious pirates, including Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, Stede Bonnet, Calico Jack, Charles Vane, Black Bart, Mary Read, and more.

Players are able to search for buried treasure, explore underwater caverns, and fully customize their ship, either by upgrading their weapons or by purchasing aesthetic items. Players can also hunt animals, go whaling, raid naval convoys, capture fortresses, and so much more. Black Flag really is the ultimate pirate-themed game, made even better by the recently released remake, which adds quite a bit to the original story.