Ship Captain Games You NEED to Play!

Summary

• Becoming a ship captain in video games provides a sense of freedom, exploration, and ship-to-ship combat.
• Captaining a ship in games involves managing crew, upgrading ships, and making decisions under pressure.
• Games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Sid Meier’s Pirates offer varying levels of Captain responsibilities and gameplay experiences.

Since the Stone Age era, humans have been innovating watercrafts for navigation purposes, which we now call “boats.” While some may argue about the distinction between a boat and a ship, generally speaking, size tends to be the determining factor. To illustrate, imagine the contrast between a kayak and an oil tanker. A ship always requires a leader, who is referred to as the captain. This individual is in charge of the ship, whether they are working solo or with a crew. Their primary responsibility is ensuring the vessel functions smoothly and reaches its intended destination. The role demands skill and diligence, as it involves managing various tasks depending on the type of ship. In essence, if an issue arises, it’s the captain who will be looked upon for guidance.

Undeniably, assuming the role of a ship’s captain is an engaging concept for video games, particularly those that offer expansive open worlds. Commanding a vessel allows you to venture out on vast oceans with a sense of liberty. In open-world games, a ship can serve as an excellent tool for exploration. Moreover, many games embrace ship-to-ship battles. When executed well, the ship becomes almost a character in its own right. However, it also presents intriguing challenges. Just as in reality, being a captain demands quick thinking, the ability to act decisively under pressure, and understanding what’s necessary to keep the ship functioning smoothly.

6. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

A Game About Travelling Ancient Greece

Following the triumph of Black Flag, it was logical for Ubisoft to contemplate reinventing the nautical aspects. Although they might have faltered in introducing it again for Rogue, they eventually excelled in Odyssey. Set amidst Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War, it was fitting to equip Kassandra with a ship, but Ubisoft didn’t stop there. They elevated the concept beyond mere fast travel, as they also revamped naval combat to harmonize with the older era. A substantial part of the game involves Kassandra clashing with various ships, primarily those belonging to the Athenian and Spartan navies, but occasionally she encounters pirates and more distinctive adversaries. Furthermore, the game offers a richly detailed underwater world teeming with marine life and ancient relics for exploration.

In the game, while Kassandra does have a significant role, her responsibilities as a ship captain are not heavily emphasized during regular gameplay. The player primarily focuses on guiding the ship and making strategic decisions such as recruiting officers for bonuses or upgrading the vessel. However, the routine operations of managing the ship are mostly automated in the background. Kassandra’s role becomes more prominent during combat situations where she directs her crew to attack enemy ships. This setup is ideal for casual players, but those seeking a more immersive captain experience may find it somewhat limited.

5. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

A Game About Sailing the High Seas During the Golden Age of Piracy

Following a decent level of achievement in naval battles within Assassin’s Creed III, Ubisoft chose to expand on this concept in the subsequent game. Known for its excellence, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag, notably improved its sailing mechanics as a key feature. Initially, players find themselves commanding their own ship, named the Jackdaw, and navigating it freely across an expansive open-world Caribbean map. Notably, one of the game’s main attractions lies in its pirate theme, a feature that resonated so strongly with players that Ubisoft attempted to spin it off into its own title. In this game, players engage in combat against Spanish and British naval ships, looting them for valuable treasures. Moreover, Edward Kenway encounters real-life pirates, forming alliances and making enemies along the way, adding a touch of historical authenticity to the experience.

Without a doubt, Captain Edward bears some responsibility. Although he may not be in a position of extreme management, there are certain tasks he must handle. Of course, steering the ship and acquiring upgrades for combat assistance are essential duties, but there are other threats he must contend with. Just like in reality, storms can generate treacherous currents that pose risks to ships, and let’s not forget about those sudden, powerful rogue waves that could sink the Jackdaw if Edward doesn’t respond quickly. Because the sea can be so perilous, Edward must consistently ensure that the Jackdaw has a well-manned crew and is in good repair, and he must address these issues regularly. While upgrades can offer some protection, they are limited in their ability to reduce risk. Additionally, there’s an optional feature where Edward can oversee and manage a merchant fleet.

4. Subnautica

Two Games About Exploring the Depths of an Alien Ocean

While many games on this list center around surface ship navigation, what about players who prefer underwater adventures? There aren’t numerous open-world submarine games available. Although submersibles can be utilized in Grand Theft Auto V, it’s not the game’s main emphasis. However, there is one standout exception – both the original Subnautica and its sequel Below Zero primarily focus on an alien ocean environment. Given this setting, any vehicle should be suitable for exploration. In both games, players can construct submarines to delve into the planet’s depths, with the Cyclops in the first game and the seatruck in the second offering various options. Since these characters are essentially alone, they effectively serve as captains, with AI addressing them accordingly.

Indeed, as Ryley and Robin are the sole crew members aboard the vessel, they face unique difficulties. Constructing a cyclops or seatruck is already a demanding task, but without additional hands, the burden of maintaining operations becomes significantly heavier. The Captain must ensure the ship remains powered and attend to repairs promptly. Repairs are particularly challenging given that certain creatures can easily breach the hull, leaving the Captain vulnerable during maintenance. Furthermore, the ship’s limitations must be well-understood, for exceeding the crush depth will result in catastrophe. The silver lining lies in the customization options available for both the Cyclops and seatruck; players can tailor these vessels to suit their preferred playstyle by modifying and upgrading them accordingly.

3. Sid Meier’s Pirates

A Game About Seeking Fame and Fortune as a Pirate Captain

2004’s timeless game places you in the role of an aspiring pirate captain sailing across a recreated Caribbean archipelago. The gameplay primarily revolves around navigating your vessel across the map, allowing you to decide on the path you want to take for your pirate adventure. You can choose to engage any ship you come across, provided you have sufficient crew and firepower to do battle. Your choices range from living a chaotic life of piracy, taking on privateering jobs for one of the colonial powers (such as England, France, Spain, or Holland), searching for hidden treasure, improving your social standing, and courting the governor’s daughter, or even challenging legendary historical pirates to rise through the ranks.

However, this game doesn’t lack its difficulties. For instance, a successful leader must possess strong judgment skills to assess potential scores effectively. Although the player has the freedom to engage any ship they encounter, not every attack is wise. Ships vary greatly in size, firepower, and durability; assaulting a heavily fortified adversary could lead to a quick loss.

Moreover, maintaining crew morale is crucial to prevent mutiny. A demoralized crew can cause significant problems. Lastly, the player must ensure their ship remains seaworthy by using loot to purchase repairs and improvements. Navigating this game may prove more challenging than it initially appears.

2. Dredge

A Game About Running a Fishing Boat

In this unique indie game developed by Black Salt Studios, players take on the role of a novice fisherman in a chilling open-world setting. Initially, the game appears to be a straightforward fishing simulator, but as you progress, it unveils a darker aspect, particularly when sailing through the open sea at night. The game creates an unsettling atmosphere even without expansive open-world landscapes, as merely brushing against rocks can make you feel on edge. However, this game is most famed for its aquatic monstrosities. Apart from the usual perils of seafaring, players must occasionally encounter Lovecraftian sea beasts rising from the depths. As captain, your goal is to navigate these treacherous waters and return unscathed. Upgrades for the vessel can increase your chances of survival, but acquiring them requires endurance and the gathering of necessary resources – a challenge in itself.

As a devoted fan, I find that the allure of Dredge lies in its deceptively simple facade concealing a rich, immersive journey. Though the fundamental controls are straightforward, the true trials lurk hidden around corners. One such conundrum is the seemingly mundane task of arranging cargo within the hold – deciding what to keep and what to let go when space is limited. Another frequent dilemma presents itself in choosing between playing it safe by docking at night or venturing out for a potentially lucrative, but risky, reward. However, sometimes the game doesn’t give you that choice, and you find yourself battling elements and maintaining your mental wellbeing while navigating open waters after dark. Add to that the necessity of staying rested to face upcoming challenges effectively, ensuring the boat remains seaworthy to avoid sinking, and it becomes clear why Dredge offers one of the most gripping captaincy simulations out there.

1. The Pale Beyond

A Game About Trying to Keep People Alive in a Desperate Situation

In a departure from traditional open-world games, “The Interactive Novel” by Bellular Studios provides an unconventional yet immersive open environment for players to explore freely. This novel is loosely based on the Shackleton Expedition to Antarctica and follows the crew of the fictional ship, the Endurance, after they become trapped in ice. The protagonist, Robin Shaw, initially serves as the first mate but soon finds themselves assuming the role of captain due to the mysterious disappearance of the original one. As the captain, Shaw must ensure the crew’s survival while stranded in the harsh Antarctic conditions. With its challenging gameplay and insightful portrayal of what it means to command a ship, “The Pale Beyond” stands out as one of the most difficult games on this list, offering a unique exploration of leadership under extreme circumstances.

What sets “The Pale Beyond” apart is its focus on the daily life of a captain, rather than sailing mechanics. Instead, it involves managing individual crew members, each dealing with tense situations. Similarly to “Sid Meier’s Pirates,” maintaining morale is crucial, but it can fluctuate greatly among different characters based on actions taken. Building trust or losing it with specific individuals is also a factor. Moreover, health issues like scurvy or frostbite reduce the workforce available for critical tasks. The game also introduces a scarcity of supplies, forcing decisions about resource allocation; a wrong move could be fatal.

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2025-05-01 05:55