5 Classic Pirate Games You Forgot Were Awesome

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Pirate games have become increasingly popular thanks to titles like Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Sea of Thieves. However, the genre has a rich history of great games offering a variety of experiences. The appeal is simple: who wouldn’t want to captain a ship, battle enemies, and hunt for treasure? While older pirate games might not have the same level of refinement as newer ones, they still offer a fun and exciting adventure for anyone interested in a swashbuckling experience.

Here are five classic pirate games you might’ve forgotten about.

5) Risen 2: Dark Waters

Developed by Piranha Bytes, Risen 2 isn’t your typical pirate game. It’s set in the world of Risen, a fantasy realm drawing inspiration from Sicily, but instead of encountering welcoming locals, you’ll face dangerous mythical creatures. The original Risen was a classic fantasy action RPG, while Risen 2 shifts the action to the high seas for a Caribbean-inspired pirate adventure.

Risen 2 offers a lot of ways to play, making it a game you can enjoy replaying to experience everything it has to offer. It blends humor with a strong pirate atmosphere, and while many pirate games aim for lighthearted fun, Risen 2 does it exceptionally well. However, be aware that the game can be quite buggy and the combat can be frustrating. If you’re willing to look past these flaws, you’ll find a worthwhile, though imperfect, pirate adventure.

4) Sea Dogs

The game Sea Dogs has a complicated history with its sequels. Many weren’t released under the Sea Dogs name because of licensing problems. One example is actually called Pirates of the Caribbean. Disney bought the game during its creation and promoted it as being connected to the movie The Curse of the Black Pearl, even though the game’s story doesn’t really follow the film’s plot.

Despite its flaws, Sea Dogs is a significant game historically. It was one of the first successful titles created by a Russian development team, paving the way for future games from the country. While it shares some bugs and frustrating elements with Risen, players interested in a detailed pirate RPG experience might want to check out this game from 2000. However, it might be best to wait for the upcoming remastered version.

3) Sid Meier’s Pirates

Originally released in 1987 for the Commodore 64, Sid Meier’s Pirates is a classic pirate game and the first to include the developer’s name in the title. The game strives for a realistic pirate experience, letting players forge their own unique adventures.

The game has been updated and re-released many times, with the 2004 version by Firaxis being the most recent. While the core gameplay stayed true to the original, Firaxis brought it into 3D and included fun additions like ballroom dancing minigames, along with better land battles. This makes it one of the greatest pirate games ever made. However, the creators, led by Sid Meier, haven’t revisited it, choosing instead to focus on their hugely successful Civilization series.

2) Skies of Arcadia

Unlike most pirate games, Skies of Arcadia takes place in the air rather than on the sea. It’s less about realistic pirate adventures and more about capturing the feeling of being a pirate. Released in 2000 by Overworks and Sega, this classic RPG is especially known for its vast world and emphasis on discovering new places.

I’m really excited about this game because some of the people who made Panzer Dragoon are working on it, so I know the feeling of flying those airships will be amazing. And Skies of Arcadia itself is just a blast – the battles are super fun, and the story really pulls you in. It was gorgeous when it came out on the Dreamcast, and honestly, it’s one of the best games on that system. The GameCube version maybe didn’t feel quite as fresh when it came out later, but it’s still a fantastic RPG if you’re into that kind of thing.

1) Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Pillars of Eternity 2 boldly reimagined the classic gameplay, transforming it into a thrilling, pirate-themed adventure. Players will assemble a crew, explore tropical islands, and engage in tactical battles while navigating complex political relationships between four powerful factions fighting for control of the Deadfire Archipelago.

Obsidian Entertainment greatly improved the combat in Pillars of Eternity, allowing for deeper character customization with new subclasses. This made battles more dynamic and opened up new strategic possibilities compared to the original game. Combined with a compelling story—one of the best of 2018—it became a standout RPG that all fans of the genre should experience. Although it wasn’t a commercial success, the world of Pillars of Eternity lives on with the upcoming release of Avowed in 2025.

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2026-02-17 01:12