Summary
11 years after players got to sail the high seas as Edward Kenway, they are once again able to live out their pirate fantasies thanks toSkull and Bones. While the experience definitely has its flaws, the seafaring gameplay at least seems to give players that pirate life experience. Not only do they have full control over its movements, but the sea is a sight to behold, and the shanties make it all worth it. However, there is one new addition toSkull and Bonesthat puts a bit of a damper on things.
For some reason, the speed ofthe ships inSkull and Bonesis not solely affected by the wind. Instead, players also have to pay attention to a stamina bar, as if the ships themselves can only go so fast for so long. As the rest of the game goes for a more realistic feel, this addition feels completely out of place. And even if the game was not trying to deliver an authentic pirate experience, boats should never be tied down by something like stamina.
Skull and Bones' Sailing is Hampered By Its Stamina Bar
Skull and Bones' Stamina Bar Explained
As players sail the high seas inSkull and Bones, they will likely want to speed things along a bit. Contract objectives and islands can be very spread out, so the best way to get there is to go at the highest speed possible. However, instead of letting players just cruise along the ocean like they could inAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, they must manage a stamina bar. Once that bar empties, their ship has to slow down until it recharges again.
In-game, this stamina bar actually represents the stamina of the crew. To recharge it, players can either wait or eat meals that they have prepared.The different meals ofSkull and Boneswill recharge it at different speeds, with cooked meals being the best. Additionally, the stamina can also be increased by different unlockable furniture that can be placed on the ship. Players can also get stamina boosts for themselves or their whole party from Pirate Bonfires that litter the map.
The Stamina Bar Has No Place in Skull and Bones World
While Ubisoft may have given players an explanation for the stamina bar, it still feels really out of place inSkull and Bones. A ship’s speed should only be affected by the amount of wind in its sails, not the hypothetical stamina of the crew or its captain. That has not been a feature in any pastUbisoft pirate-themed games, so there is seemingly no reason for it to exist here.
InAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, players were able to increase the ship’s speed drastically to get to where they needed to be. The highest speed was known as traveling speed, and it allowed the Jackdaw to cruise along the sea at unreal speeds. Even though it was not realistic, it let players get to where they wanted to be as fast as possible, with only combat encounters stopping them. If players wanted to keep it more realistic, then they could, as the game offered many different speeds, with none of them hampered by any sort of stamina bar. And it was the same forAssassin’s Creed Rogue.
Skull and Bones' stamina bar just feels extremely out of place and an unneeded addition to the formula, holding players back in a sandbox that otherwise calls for fast movement. Not only is that not realistic, but the game it spun off from did not do that either. There may be some behind-the-scenes reasons for its inclusion, but at first glance, it simply feels like it exists to slow the player down so there is extra interaction with game mechanics.
Skull and Bones
WHERE TO PLAY
Set sail into the vibrant open world of Skull and Bones, a naval online action RPG where you rise to become the most fearsome pirate kingpin.ENGAGE IN SPECTACULAR NAVAL COMBATPrepare for devastating battles by crafting a dozen different ships and equip your fleet with powerful loadouts. Unlock stronger weapons as you progress and customize your ships to reflect your unique pirate playstyle.SAIL INTO A DANGEROUS HELL IN PARADISEVoyage into the Indian Ocean and explore a vast open world teeming with cutthroat pirates, deadly sea monsters, supernatural threats, devastating storms, and more.TEAM UP WITH FELLOW PIRATESSail the lawless seas solo or team up with two friends or other players to partake in shareable contracts and rewards.ENJOY EVER-EVOLVING CONTENTEach season, face a brand-new legendary sea lord and discover fresh content, limitless endgame opportunities, and new exciting features designed to enhance your pirate experience.
