Best Open-World Games With Ship Combat, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Engaging naval combat in open-world pirate games immerses players in the golden age of seafaring, offering flexible ship combat possibilities.
Many titles provide a wide range of gameplay elements, from trading and exploration to exciting naval battles or boarding enemy ships.
Some of the standout modern games for ship combat enthusiasts include Sea of Thieves , Assassin’s Creed Odyssey , Naval Action , Skull and Bones , and Tempest .

As a seasoned gamer and ocean-lover, I have sailed through many digital seas and swam with countless virtual pirate crews. Among all these nautical adventures, I must confess that my heart belongs to one extraordinary game: Sea of Thieves.

There’s something truly special about taking the helm of your own vessel and venturing across the ocean’s expanse – it’s an allure that hooks fans of games and films set in maritime adventures. Some of the most memorable settings for these escapades are games with pirate themes, recreating the legendary era of seafaring from the 1600s to the 1700s. In these games, players can sail across immense oceans, re-living the thrill of a time marked by exploration, peril, and adventure.

To really get a feel for an experienced sailor’s life, an intricate and extensive open-world setting is essential. These types of games transport players to this captivating era, providing a variety of gameplay opportunities like trading, sea battles, piracy, treasure hunting, and ship customization. All these features come together to create an engaging experience that keeps gamers hooked. Here, we explore some of the top open-world games with exceptional naval combat, offering exhilarating ship battles that any wannabe captain would appreciate.

10. Port Royale 4

A Choice For Strategy Lovers Who Don’t Mind Some Turn-Based Naval Combat

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch
Released: September 25, 2020
Developer: Gaming Minds

In Port Royale 4, the emphasis is heavily on trading and economic strategy, with exciting naval battles thrown in for good measure. This game takes place in the lively 17th-century Caribbean, where players can choose to side with one of four colonial powers – Spain, England, France, or the Netherlands, all vying for control over this lucrative yet contentious region. The game presents a vast, continuous map of the Caribbean, enabling players to roam freely, trade goods, establish settlements, and engage in naval conflicts with rivals.

In a new twist for the series, Port Royale 4 now includes turn-based naval battles. As many as eight ships can participate in these tactical encounters, where clever placement and skilled captain maneuvers have the potential to flip the odds, transforming seemingly hopeless situations into triumphant victories.

9. Naval Action

The Most Realistic And Hardcore Take On Naval Warfare

Platforms: PC
Released: June 13, 2019
Developer: Game-Labs

Naval Action offers a thrilling, free-to-play experience that simulates one of the most authentic and intense naval warfare encounters, set in an impressively detailed open-world rendition of the Caribbean during the Age of Sail. Renowned for its commitment to historical precision, this game provides an unprecedented naval combat sandbox, with developers asserting that no other game has so accurately replicated the epoch when grand sailing vessels ruled the seas.

Players have the power to control more than 50 authentically designed ships, spanning from swift sloops to colossal warships known as ships-of-the-line. Each ship boasts meticulously crafted hulls, sail configurations, and weapon setups. The ships are modeled with historical precision, taking into account their actual speed and maneuverability based on real-world tests. The game blends open-world player versus player exploration, naval skirmishes, and epic battles inspired by real-life historical events. Aside from its emphasis on combat, Naval Action also includes trading and exploration aspects, enabling players to broaden their gaming experience beyond the battlefield.

8. Atlas

A Survival Seafaring MMO In A Giant World With A Dedicated Single-Player Mode

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Released: December 22, 2018 (early access)
Developer: Grapeshot Games, Instinct Games

Atlas is a massive multiplayer online game where players embark on an extensive open-world journey, exploring more than 700 islands spread across an expansive 45,000 square kilometers. Designed as the ultimate pirate experience, it offers a wide range of activities such as shipbuilding, naval battles, and island exploration. Players can attack land-based fortresses, climb aboard enemy ships using grappling hooks, or engage in intense cannon fights at sea. This game fully transports players into the world of piracy.

As a gamer myself, I’d say what really hooks me on Atlas is the diverse gameplay modes, tailored to fit various gaming styles. You’ve got the adrenaline rush of Player vs Player (PvP) battles, the immersive exploration in Player vs Environment (PvE), and the classic single-player experience with progressive gameplay. The naval combat is truly captivating; you can either command massive warships solo or work together with a crew to share duties and boost efficiency during fights.

7. Tempest: Pirate Action RPG

Not Trying To Shy Away From Fantasy Elements In A Pirate Backdrop

Platforms: PC
Released: August 22, 2016
Developer: HeroCraft

The pirate action RPG, “Tempest”, is an under-the-radar gem that should be on the radar of any single-player game enthusiast who loves pirates. The developers have emphasized that the heart of this game lies in its sea battles, aiming to convey the exciting spirit of life as a pirate. Players are given the opportunity to extensively personalize their ships before diving into naval combat, exploration, and trading. The game boasts a vast world, divided into three significant regions, countless islands, and hundreds of quests, ensuring that players will never run out of things to do.

What makes Tempest unique is its blend of pirate gameplay with elements of fantasy. Instead of sticking solely to piracy, players can engage in thrilling pursuits like hunting mythical sea creatures such as the Kraken or Leviathan. They also have the opportunity to tap into mystical energies, enhancing their abilities with crystals that bring about powerful effects. This fantastical flair injects a captivating element into naval combat, enabling players to summon storms of meteors or even conjure up a colossal octopus to bolster them during battles.

6. Skull And Bones

Overshadowed By Earlier Assassin’s Creed Games But Not Without Promise

Despite a rocky production history and varying initial reviews, Skull and Bones is a praiseworthy endeavor aimed at creating an expansive pirate adventure set in the open world. This game unfolds against the lush, exotic backdrop of East Africa and Southeast Asia during the 17th century’s Golden Age of Piracy, providing an immersive setting for enthusiasts of pirate-themed escapades. While certain elements, notably the naval combat, have received comparisons to Ubisoft’s earlier Assassin’s Creed series, Skull and Bones distinguishes itself with exclusive features and mechanisms.

A notable aspect is that players have the freedom to manage and tailor entire armadas. Unlike traditional pirate games where ships are mainly focused on, here, you can build and individualize numerous vessels. These ships can be equipped with potent weapons and unique embellishments, transforming skirmishes into grand, expansive naval conflicts.

Advancement is another key aspect, providing a continuous flow of unlockable weapons, ship parts, and aesthetic enhancements. Boasting an expansive, visually breathtaking open world teeming with activities, regular content additions, and performance enhancements, Skull & Bones continues to develop. Still in the process of refinement, its burgeoning potential suggests a more promising tomorrow, one that could ultimately win it favor among the pirate gaming fraternity.

5. Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Ship Combat Is Just A Tiny Component Of This Sprawling, Party-Based CRPG

In “Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire,” open-world sea exploration and naval battles offer an engaging boost to the main party-based RPG gameplay, providing a sense of novelty and immersion to the sequel. Although the naval mechanics don’t aim for hyper-realistic combat or epic ship clashes, they effectively capture the romanticized charm of piracy. This leads to a rewarding system that harmoniously fits within the broader storyline and gameplay.

In these naval battles, strategy is key, with an emphasis on clever positioning and smart resource utilization, rather than relying on dramatic action scenes. Players have the freedom to personalize and improve their vessel, selecting everything from armaments to choosing crew members. This balance ensures that the game remains engaging without becoming overly complicated or distracting from the RPG’s primary narrative. The Deadfire Archipelago serves as a captivating backdrop, filled with undiscovered islands, events, and interactions.

4. Windward

A Successful Homage To Sid Meier’s Pirates With A Procedural World Map

Windward is essentially a modernized take on the beloved game, Sid Meier’s Pirates, retaining its distinctive top-down perspective during sailing and offering comparable naval combat mechanics, where players must strategically select among various cannon types for specific roles in battle. The game was primarily conceived with cooperative play in mind, but it also allows for a single player to delve into its vast, procedurally generated world independently.

In the world of Windward, not just procedurally generated, you’ll find numerous contemporary enhancements and innovations built upon the foundation laid by the classic Pirates series. A significant contributor to this is the expansive skill tree offering a multitude of distinct choices. To enrich player-enemy interactions, talents and abilities can be unlocked, including diplomacy, providing a more complex experience. This system offers versatility, enabling players to mold their playstyle based on whether they lean towards an aggressive or strategic approach. The game’s AI is commendable for its balance and toughness. Enemy pirates operate under the same rules as the player, compelling them to explore the map to discover hidden secrets, making battles feel dynamic and hard-earned.

3. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag & Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Utilizing Naval Combat And Exploration In An Open-World Action Genre To Great Effect

For fans of ship combat, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey both deserve mention, though not necessarily as separate entries. As expansive open-world action games from the same franchise, both feature substantial ship-focused gameplay, interwoven with the traditional land-based exploration and combat that defines the series. Players spend considerable time commanding their customizable ships between on-land missions.

In the realm of sea battles and ship combats, the systems in both games share many commonalities, though they’ve been customized to fit their unique environments. The game Black Flag presents a more realistic feel, equipped with diverse weaponry such as chain shots for crippling enemies, and naval combat mechanics that strike a harmonious balance — intricate enough to be captivating but not excessively complex or oversimplified, also featuring crew management for added depth.

Instead of Black Flag, Odyssey adopts a more intense, arcade-like naval warfare, focusing on thrilling ship collisions and flamethrower assaults. This game is set in Ancient Greece and instead of cannons, it uses arrows and javelins for ranged attacks launched by the crew. Its unique setting sets it apart within the naval battles genre, compensating for its mechanical similarities to Black Flag, providing a novel, exhilarating maritime adventure. Essentially, whether you prefer Odyssey or Black Flag depends more on your preference for the setting and story rather than significant differences in their ship combat systems.

2. Sid Meier’s Pirates!

A Timeless Classic That Remains As Engaging As It Did 20 Years Ago

In a nutshell, not many pirate video games can outshine the original and its reboot; this thrilling game offers an exquisite blend of trading, sea battles, boarding actions, sword fighting, exploration, treasure hunting, strategic fortress fights, mini-games, and a humorous ambiance. As suggested by its title, players have the freedom to decide whom to ally with or attack at any given instance, thus crafting their unique narrative while strengthening their fleet and emerging as an unstoppable maritime force.

Over time, playing Sid Meier’s Pirates! continues to be a captivating and engaging adventure. It swiftly draws players in with its polished progression mechanics and almost flawless depiction of piracy life in the Caribbean islands during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.

1. Sea Of Thieves

A Modern King Of Open-World Pirate Adventure Here To Stay

It’s hard to believe now, but not many gamers recall how disappointing Sea of Thieves seemed at its initial release. However, the game has dramatically transformed over the years due to the dedicated efforts of Rare studios, resulting in a pirate-lover’s paradise today. In this amazing title, players experience unmatched freedom, intricate ship customization options, captivating naval combat mechanics, and an engaging atmosphere that combines adventure with silliness. To top it off, the game offers arguably the most stunning and realistic ocean environments ever created in a video game.

In a nutshell, Sea of Thieves truly excels in multiplayer mode, offering an authentic pirate experience when you and your friends navigate a massive ship together. The sensation is reminiscent of working side by side on a real pirate crew, making each raid a seamless and satisfying adventure. Moreover, with fresh content consistently being introduced, it’s hard for other games to challenge Sea of Thieves as the unrivaled pirate simulation game.

2024-12-10 11:34