The 15 Best Pirate Games of All Time

In the multiplayer pirate game Sea of Thieves, players can form crews, sail the high seas, search for treasure, and fight against sea monsters. The game's constant updates and expansions provide new content and adventures to keep it fresh. However, the allure of Sea of Thieves extends beyond its scope and into its promise of boundless exploration. Players are given the freedom to chart their courses in a vast, open-world ocean teeming with uncharted islands and sunken ships.

If you want to take a tranquil sail under the stars, hunt for buried treasure, or engage in thrilling ship-to-ship combat, Sea of Thieves has got you covered. Its dynamic world ensures that no two voyages are alike, offering limitless adventure and a true pirate's life on the digital high seas. A truly immersive experience, this game lets you write your seafaring tale, making you the master of your destiny in a world where "X" always marks the spot.

Combining the stealth and combat of Assassin's Creed with a seafaring pirate setting, Assassin's Ceed IV: Black Flag offers an incredible pirate experience. Considered one of the best titles in the Assassin's Creed franchise, Black Flag has you navigate the Caribbean as Edward Kenway, a pirate looking to make his mark in the world.

As Kenway, you'll loot and commandeer ships, explore islands, and dive for treasure, as well as interact with famous pirates like Anne Bonny and Edward Thatcher, better known as Blackbeard. Balancing the action with a compelling story of power, loyalty, and the thirst for freedom, Black Flag is not just about the pirate's life, but about the human experience within it. Its naval combat is also intense and satisfying and proved popular enough for Ubisoft to spin off the gameplay into the upcoming Skull and Bones.

Sid Meier's Pirates! is a classic that perfectly blends strategy and role-playing game elements with a piracy theme. It allows players to live a life of a pirate, including exploring the Caribbean, trading goods, looking for treasures, and battling rival pirates. In Sid Meier's Pirates!, the freedom and unpredictability of the pirate's life aren't just present—they're the bedrock of your experience. The game's open-world structure and lack of linear story progression give you ultimate control over your destiny. You can follow the storyline or veer off into unknown waters, indulging in the many side quests and random encounters. If a tranquil life of trade and diplomacy appeals to you or if you're drawn to a daring life of plunder and infamy, the choice is entirely in your hands.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, from the masterminds at Obsidian Entertainment, sails into uncharted waters with its unique fusion of fantasy and pirate elements. Deadfire stands out in the crowded RPG landscape by effortlessly blending deep strategic combat, intricate narrative, and sprawling exploration into one cohesive package. The game's richly realized world, beautifully detailed and full of exotic locales and characters, is as impressive as its complex and rewarding gameplay systems.

One of Deadfire's most compelling features is the player's own customizable ship, serving both as your primary means of exploring the game's vast archipelago and as a home base for your crew. Naval combat is tense and strategic, requiring careful maneuvering and smart use of your ship's cannons and crew abilities. On land, the game's real-time-with-pause combat shines, offering a dizzying array of tactical options that RPG fans will surely appreciate.

Return to Monkey Island takes players back into the beloved world of Guybrush Threepwood, Mighty Pirate™. Developed by Terrible Toybox, this long-awaited sequel carries on the legacy of the classic point-and-click Monkey Island series, filled with all the humor, puzzle-solving, and swashbuckling adventure fans have come to expect. The game beautifully captures the spirit of the originals while introducing modern gameplay elements and updated graphics.

As Guybrush, you'll navigate through new and familiar locales, filled with tricky puzzles and colorful characters. The game's charming art style, smart writing, and memorable characters make it not only a great pirate game but also a standout adventure game. Return to Monkey Island expertly blends nostalgia with fresh design, resulting in a game that feels both comfortably familiar and excitingly new.

Assassin's Creed Rogue serves as a unique entry in the Assassin's Creed franchise by shifting the perspective from the Assassins to their sworn enemies, the Templars. Set in the mid-18th century during the Seven Years' War, Rogue allows players to explore North America's northeastern coast, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the Hudson River Valley. Returning from Black Flag are the seafaring and naval combat elements, making this another exciting installment for fans of pirate gameplay within the Assassin's Creed universe.

Rogue shines by combining the best aspects of its predecessors. The naval combat and open-sea exploration of Black Flag meld perfectly with the parkour and stealth gameplay that the series is known for. The result is a well-rounded experience that provides a fresh perspective on the Assassin's Creed lore. As you journey through a turbulent and changing world, you'll engage in intense sea battles, hunt for treasure, and unravel a gripping story that explores the fine line between good and evil. If you enjoyed Black Flag's pirate adventures or are looking for a fresh take on the Assassin's Creed formula, Rogue offers a journey worth taking for those on the lookout for the best pirate games.

GreedFall is an ambitious action RPG that combines magic, exploration, and political intrigue in a lush, colonial-era setting reminiscent of the 17th century. While not a traditional pirate game, GreedFall earns its spot on this list with its maritime-inspired aesthetic, treasure-filled quests, and ship-based exploration. As you navigate your way through the uncharted island of "Teer Fradee," you'll engage in thrilling combat, negotiate with different factions, and uncover the island's many secrets.

The game stands out with its focus on player choice and narrative depth. Your decisions can influence the game world and affect your relationships with different factions and companions, adding a compelling layer of strategy to the game. Combat is dynamic and flexible, allowing you to utilize a mix of melee, ranged, and magic-based attacks, while the game's deep crafting system encourages you to experiment with various equipment and skill combinations. Despite some rough edges, GreedFall delivers a unique and engaging RPG experience with a refreshing take on the age of exploration.

Risen 2: Dark Waters is a unique action RPG that pairs a rich, fantastical world with the gritty, rough-around-the-edges charm of pirate lore. The game sets itself apart by integrating magic, mythology, and a complex storyline with its pirate-themed setting. Players will find themselves fully immersed in a universe where ancient gods, voodoo magic, and fearsome sea creatures coexist with treasure hunts, ship battles, and the quest for rum.

In Risen 2, players navigate their way around a large, beautifully realized archipelago, filled with treacherous jungles, hidden caves, and secluded beaches. Character progression is non-linear, allowing players to improve skills and gain new abilities at their own pace. Combat can be challenging, requiring a mix of tactical swordplay and voodoo magic, while exploration is always rewarding, with a variety of side quests and secrets to discover. This seventh-generation gem is worth considering if you've itching to play one of the best pirate games.

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game takes the beloved Lego game formula and sets it against the backdrop of Disney's popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The result is a delightful adventure filled with clever puzzles, charming humor, and memorable characters from all four original Pirates of the Caribbean films, all beautifully recreated in the iconic Lego style. The young ones ready for the best pirate games will flock to this one.

Just as in other Lego games, gameplay in Lego Pirates of the Caribbean revolves around exploring themed levels, solving puzzles, and collecting a wide variety of hidden items. Each character in your pirate crew possesses unique abilities that you'll need to utilize to progress through each level, leading to fun and creative problem-solving. The game's combat is light-hearted but engaging, with swordfights and ship battles maintaining a perfect balance between challenge and fun. True to its Lego and Pirates of the Caribbean roots, the game also captures the quirky humor and exciting action that fans of both franchises will surely appreciate.

Tropico 2: Pirate Cove brings the Tropico franchise into new territory, trading in the series' usual dictatorial rule for the high-seas hijinks of pirate leadership. by offering a refreshing and intriguing twist to the city-building genre by tasking players with managing a bustling pirate island. The aim is to maintain a steady stream of plunder while keeping your unruly crew of buccaneers satisfied, creating an exciting balance between resource management and pirate pandemonium.

Building and running your own pirate island isn't just about hoarding gold and shoving prisoners into dungeons; it's also about constructing a viable economy and appeasing the often-fickle desires of your pirate populace. As you navigate your way through the game's addictive city-building mechanics, you'll be tasked with managing your pirate crew, launching pirate ships for raids, and maintaining your island's reputation as a safe haven for the Caribbean's most notorious pirates.

Though it might seem a departure from the usual Tropico fare, Tropico 2: Pirate Cove successfully merges its pirate-themed antics with its deep city-building gameplay, making it a unique and entertaining game within the series.

Blackwake pushes the boundaries of naval warfare in video games, offering an authentic and immersive team-based multiplayer experience set in the age of pirates. This first-person game throws players directly into the heat of epic sea battles, where working with your crew, managing resources, and skillfully maneuvering your vessel are keys to victory. Players must work together in real-time to fire cannons, patch up holes, and even "abandon ship" when things get too dicey.

The game distinguishes itself with its intense, player-driven sea battles. You can choose to take on a variety of roles within your crew, from the captain who dictates the ship's strategy, to the gunners and engineers who keep the vessel afloat and firing. Each role is crucial to survival and success, creating a thrilling, cooperative multiplayer experience. Despite its steep learning curve, Blackwake offers a uniquely chaotic and exhilarating take on the pirate genre that truly rewards teamwork and strategic thinking, which makes it one of the more unique selections for gamers searching for the best pirate games.

Port Royale 3: Pirates and Merchants offers an excellent mix of economic strategy and high-seas action set in the Caribbean during the 17th century. The game affords players the opportunity to carve their own path, either as a greedy trader or an ambitious pirate. As a trader, you'll manage complex economic systems, negotiate trade routes, and amass a business empire.

Meanwhile, choosing the path of the pirate will have you hunting for treasure, capturing towns, and engaging in exhilarating sea battles. Regardless of your chosen path, the game's beautifully rendered Caribbean setting, filled with bustling port cities and treacherous open waters, adds to its immersive appeal. Whether you're a fan of economic strategy games or have always dreamt of living the pirate's life, Port Royale 3: Pirates and Merchants deliver a deeply satisfying experience on both fronts. This pick's mandatory if you're keen on playing the best pirate games.

Man O' War: Corsair - Warhammer Naval Battles takes the Warhammer fantasy universe to the high seas in an epic, action-packed game full of monsters, magic, and of course, naval warfare. As players explore the treacherous oceans of the Warhammer world, they'll encounter everything from infamous pirates to sea monsters, and even the dark elves' terrifying "Black Arks."

At the helm of your ship, you'll engage in real-time naval combat, manage your crew, trade goods, and explore a vast, dangerous world. Your encounters aren't limited to the water's surface; you'll also confront flying monsters and magical attacks, requiring a keen eye and quick reflexes. Additionally, you have the option to leave your ship and engage in land battles, adding another layer to the game's dynamic combat system.

Despite its complexity, the game remains accessible and fun, thanks to its intuitive controls and balanced progression system. For fans of Warhammer and naval combat games alike, Man O' War: Corsair offers a thrilling adventure that successfully brings the brutal naval battles of the Warhammer world to life.

Age of Booty is a real-time strategy game that manages to turn piracy into a whimsical, light-hearted affair without losing any of the thrills of the high seas. Age of Booty challenges you to navigate your ship through a grid-based map, capturing towns and collecting resources, all while fending off rival pirates and battling sea monsters. Its easy-to-learn yet hard-to-master mechanics make Age of Booty an addictive and accessible entry into the pirate game genre.

The heart of Age of Booty though lies in its competitive multiplayer gameplay, with matches that can quickly turn from calm strategizing to intense naval warfare. You'll need to keep a careful eye on your opponent's movements and adapt on the fly as you compete for resources and strategic points on the map. Meanwhile, the game's single-player and co-op modes provide plenty of opportunities to hone your pirating skills. With its charming, cartoonish graphics, strategic gameplay, and frantic multiplayer action, Age of Booty is a treasure trove of fun for both casual gamers and hardcore strategy enthusiasts alike that are ready to check out another one of the best pirate games.

Sea Dogs is an open-world RPG that gives you the freedom to choose your path in a sprawling world of pirates, traders, and explorers. You play as a captain with a single ship and a thirst for adventure, deciding whether to follow the main story, explore the high seas, or build your fortune through trading.

However, the game's naval combat is where it truly shines. Battles are real-time and require strategic maneuvering and clever use of wind conditions to outsmart your foes. Away from combat, the game offers an equally engaging experience with trading mechanics and political intrigue that can affect your standing with different factions. Although Sea Dogs can feel a bit daunting with its lack of hand-holding and challenging gameplay, those who stick with it will find a rewarding pirate game that offers deep mechanics and a truly open world to explore.

It's an old-school gem that any fan of the pirate genre should consider diving into if you're big on the best pirate games.