13 Best Pirate Games To Play in 2026: Plunder the High Seas!
Recent update
This list is regularly updated to match what’s trending and in-demand among gamers.
Are you looking for the best pirate games you can get yer hands on? Well, you certainly found the X-marked spot by getting here, as this list will reveal nothing but the best titles that everyone should play!
Every single game you’ll see here will give you that very same feeling of autonomy by giving you free rein out in the open seas, all while also offering uniquely distinct gameplay elements that make them stand out.
If you love pirate games as much as I do, then stick around and prepare your sea legs as we embark on a voyage to uncover top-tier pirate games to play!
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Our Top Picks for Pirate Games
What you’ll see below are the most outstanding pirate games our team has picked above all the other promising titles in the genre, with all five games boasting the best swashbuckling high-seas adventure you’ll ever have in your life:
- Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced (2026), the ground-up remake of the best single-player pirate game ever made, launches July 9, 2026 – pre-order now on Eneba and get the Blackbeard’s Crimson Pack bonus at no extra cost.
- Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition (2026) – the best multiplayer pirate sandbox around, now in its most content-packed form yet. Eight years of live updates, a full Faction Battle overhaul, and the new Custom Seas mode make this the definitive co-op pirate experience for anyone who loves emergent sandbox chaos on the open seas.
- Windrose (2026) – the co-op pirate survival game the genre has been crying out for, built around procedural maritime survival crafting loops and naval combat that flows from broadside exchanges straight into boarding action. Already 1.5 million copies sold in Early Access, and it is only getting bigger.
Don’t agree with our list? Hold your pistols, as we have five more terrific pirate games that are guaranteed to blow you away. So sail on, scroll down, and check out the full list below!
13 Best Pirate Games to Rule the Open Seas
With how awesome the pirate games released in the past several years are, the good news is that you’ll have quite a lot of titles to choose from – ranging from vast open-world RPGs with phenomenal story and role-play potential to naval battle-focused titles that’ll test your ability to captain your ship.
Without further ado, check out these awesome games our team has picked out for you, as well as why I think they’re a must-play for pirate genre lovers (or newcomers) like you!
1. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced [Overall Best Pirate Game]
| Our score | Enebameter 9.2/10
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| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC |
| Year of release | 2026 |
| Creator | Ubisoft Singapore |
| Average playtime | ~24 hrs |
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is the ground-up remake of arguably the best pirate game ever made, rebuilt by Ubisoft Singapore on the latest Anvil engine. The next-gen ray-traced ocean graphics set a new visual benchmark for the genre – dynamic weather, micropolygon rendering, and ray tracing across all modes make the Caribbean look genuinely spectacular at launch on July 9, 2026.
The original story stays intact, but Ubisoft has added new missions for Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, three new Jackdaw officers with unique origin stories, and brand-new scenes by original writer Darby McDevitt. Rebuilt dynamic broadside cannon physics give naval combat a weightier, more tactical feel – positioning and timing matter more than ever in Jackdaw battles.
Combat on foot is reworked too, with faster attacks, chained takedowns, and a tighter parry system. No multiplayer, no DLC – a pure solo experience, and that is the right call.
My Verdict: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is the most anticipated pirate game of 2026 – a faithful, fully rebuilt remake that looks set to improve on everything that made the original a classic.
2. Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition [Best for Online Play]
| Our score | Enebameter 9.8/10
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| Platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One |
| Year of release | 2018 (2026 Edition: 2026) |
| Creator | Rare |
| Average playtime | ~7 hrs |
Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition is the best entry point into Rare‘s open-world pirate sandbox – a fresh package launched April 8, 2026 that bundles eight years of live-service content into one clean purchase. Custom Seas lets you build your own game rules from scratch, and the full Faction Battle overhaul gives both newcomers and returning crews plenty to dig into.
The emergent sandbox chaos and boarding loops remain the core of what makes Sea of Thieves special – every session tells a different story. The dynamic broadside cannon physics demand real coordination, and the new Last Ship Standing Sloop-only mode puts those skills to the ultimate test.
Local couch co-op split screen multiplayer is fully supported too, which makes it just as fun on the couch as it is online. The simplified Doubloon currency is a long-overdue clean-up. Experienced PvP crews can still make early sessions rough for fresh players.
My Verdict: Eight years in and Sea of Thieves is still the king of multiplayer pirate games. The 2026 Edition makes now the best time to set sail.
3. Windrose [Best for Co-Op High-Seas Survival]
| Our score | Enebameter 9.7/10
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| Platforms | PC |
| Year of release | 2026 |
| Creator | Kraken Express |
| Average playtime | ~50–70 hrs |
Windrose is the co-op pirate survival game the genre has been waiting for, and Kraken Express launched it into Early Access in April 2026 with numbers that speak for themselves: 1.5 million copies sold in under two weeks and 210,000 concurrent players at peak. Windrose‘s procedural maritime survival crafting loops are surprisingly accessible too – hunger and sleep exist but won’t get you killed for neglect, so the focus stays on exploration and combat.
You and up to seven crewmates sail an ocean packed with 90+ handcrafted dungeons, shipwrecks, and rival pirate factions. The emergent sandbox chaos and boarding loops are where the game truly shines – naval battles transition seamlessly from long-range broadside exchanges to close-quarters deck brawls in ways that feel genuinely alive.
The story takes a back seat in its current Early Access state, but for this genre, Windrose is already setting a new standard.
My Verdict: Windrose is the co-op pirate survival game fans have been asking for since Sea of Thieves first launched. At $29.99 in Early Access, the timing to jump in has never been better.
4. Return to Monkey Island [Best for Stylized Visuals and Humor]
| Our Score | Enebameter 9.3/10
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| Platforms | MacOS, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Linux, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, Android |
| Year of release | 2022 |
| Creator | Terrible Toybox |
| Average playtime | ~10 hrs |
Return to Monkey Island is an easy recommendation for gamers who prefer a more casual and humorous pirate experience. It comes packaged with a pleasing, abstract art style that’s a treat to look at, not to mention a retro-coded soundtrack that’s as catchy as it is nostalgic.
This game is filled with witty dialogue and funny moments, which, combined with its innovative puzzle design, will challenge your skills and leave you satisfied (provided you’re smart or stubborn enough to solve them, of course). It’s most definitely a strong successor to the beloved Monkey Island games that I grew up with.
This is one of the top point-and-click adventure games released in recent years too, so you definitely won’t regret getting this one if you’d love to have puzzles, mystery, and lots of self-aware comedy on your pirate game.
My Verdict: Return to Monkey Island is weird and impossible not to love. It’s proof that pirate stories can still make you laugh as much as they make you think.
5. Pillars of Eternity 2 Deadfire [Best for CRPG and Branching Storyline]
| Our Score | Enebameter 9/10
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| Platforms | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac operating systems, Classic Mac OS |
| Year of release | 2018 |
| Creators | Obsidian EntertainmentVersus EvilRed Cerberus |
| Average playtime | ~40 hrs |
Pillars of Eternity II might not revolve around the idea of piracy exclusively (it’s a high fantasy CRPG first and foremost), but it’s still the most interactive pirate game on this list in terms of dialogue options, worldbuilding, and storyline variety.
This title is, hands down, among the best CRPG games ever released. With its intensive dialogue options, branching narrative, and highly reactive open world, you can practically roleplay your way through this game however you like.
Boasting a gripping narrative and a diverse cast of fleshed-out, well-written side characters (some of which you can even recruit as crew members), this is one banger you definitely shouldn’t miss.
My Verdict: Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire turns sailing into strategy and conversation into combat. Every choice hits hard, and every voyage feels personal.
6. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii [Best for Non-stop Beat ‘Em Up Action]
| Our Score | Enebameter 8.8/10
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| Platforms | PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows |
| Year of release | 2025 |
| Creators | Ryu Ga Gotoku StudioSEGA |
| Average playtime | ~17 hrs |
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii hit us Ryu Ga Gotoku fans like a wild curveball when it first got announced, but don’t let this distract you from the fact that Mr. Krabs sold Spongebob’s soul for 62 cents to Davey Jones, or that a studio that’s been making great Yakuza games for decades has given us one of the best pirate-themed ARPGs ever released.
Despite its departure from the series formula, I and many other fans see this great game as an absolute win for the Yakuza series, showing us how creatively wacky the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio devs can get while still delivering a great product.
With a madman like Goro Majima as the protagonist, you get exactly what you expect, which is an off-the-rails adventure filled with all sorts of rowdy pirate antics portrayed with signature Yakuza humor, topped off with high-octane ship combat that lets you shoot down enemy ships with all manner cannons, machine guns, and even rocket launchers!
My Verdict: Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii shouldn’t work, yet it totally does. It’s wild, funny, and unapologetically weird in the best “Yakuza goes pirate” way.
7. One Piece Odyssey [Best for Anime fans]
| Our Score | Enebameter 8.6/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows |
| Year of release | 2023 |
| Creator | ILCA |
| Average playtime | ~33 hrs |
One Piece Odyssey is the game all One Piece fans have been dying to play since forever, and that includes yours truly. Off the rip, this game stands among the best One Piece games ever released.
Sporting top-notch modern graphics, original voice actors from the anime, dynamic turn-based combat, and a touching storyline that follows Luffy and his friends’ adventures, you really can’t go wrong in picking this game up as a fan of any pirate-related video game title.
One Piece, after all, is one of the most famous pirate-themed entertainment IPs in history, and for good reason. What better game to hoist up the skull and bones in as an anime fan or just a pirate game enthusiast in general than One Piece Odyssey? Nuff said.
My Verdict: One Piece Odyssey ist that anime dream; heartfelt moments, sharp combat, and all the charm you’d expect from Luffy and the crew.
8. Sid Meier’s Pirates! [Best for Immersive Simulation Mechanics]
| Our Score | Enebameter 8.5/10
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| Platforms | Microsoft Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, Wii, PlayStation Portable |
| Year of release | 2004 |
| Creator | Firaxis Games |
| Average playtime | ~10 hrs |
If you’re a fan of the pirate genre or just a veteran gamer in general, then Sid Meier’s Pirates! is most likely a title you’ve heard of at least once, and for good reason. This game, after all, is argued by many in the gaming community to be the best game in the piracy genre, despite being more than a decade older than most titles on this list.
Having completed many playthroughs of this game on my old, trusty PSP myself, Sid Meier’s Pirates! gets my vote for the number one game all new pirate genre fans should play right away, considering it has a little bit of everything for RPG lovers and simulation games enthusiasts alike.
It also provides a stimulating experience that only the best strategy games ever could in terms of tactical gameplay elements, so you’ll definitely be eating well if you like playing as a cerebral captain who plans every move – managing mutiny risk, crew metrics, and fleet positioning all at once.
My Verdict: Sid Meier’s Pirates! doesn’t need flash to impress. Its pure gameplay brilliance that proves smart design never ages. Still the ultimate captain’s sandbox.
9. Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale [Best for Turn-Based Hex Grid Naval Strategy]
| Our score | Enebameter 8.4/10
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| Platforms | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Year of release | 2023 |
| Creator | Gaming Minds Studios |
| Average playtime | ~25 hrs |
For the most dedicated tactical sailing simulator experience on this list, Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale by Gaming Minds Studios and Kalypso Media is the one to pick. It puts you in command of a growing pirate fleet across the 17th-century Caribbean – raid convoys, build reputation with colonial powers, and recruit historical pirate captains to your cause across 25+ hours of quests.
The turn-based tactical hex grid naval strategy is where the game earns its place here. Each battle demands smart ship positioning and armament selection, and the mutiny risk and crew management metrics keep you honest between fights.
Crew morale, port relationships, and 35+ pirate skills all feed into a loop that genuinely rewards patience. The world can feel sparse and the combat runs slow – Steam reviews sit around 51% positive – so this is a niche pick. The right kind of captain, though, will lose hours in it.
My Verdict: Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale won’t win over action fans, but for the tactical sea captain who wants genuine fleet management and hex grid naval combat, nothing on this list scratches that itch quite the same way.
10. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game [Best for Lego Adventure fans]
| Our Score | Enebameter 8.3/10
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| Platforms | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox 360 |
| Year of release | 2011 |
| Creators | TT Games, Traveller’s Tales, TT Fusion |
| Average playtime | ~9 hrs |
The franchise is no stranger to releasing top-tier games, and LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game is one of the many titles that prove that bold claim.
This title offers a simple, yet enjoyable gameplay filled with entertaining puzzles and graciously carried by an iconic Hans Zimmer soundtrack. Oh, and this is one of the very few movie-inspired video games where their actors actually do voicework for their characters in the game.
Yes, Johnny Depp voices Jack Sparrow in this game, amongst a few other actors in the movie who did the same! This alone should tell you how much passion went into this release, and why it’s one of the most recommended pirate video game titles online despite being a “simple” LEGO game.
My Verdict: LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the top LEGO games. It’s the kind of game you play with a grin on your face and zero stress in your brain.
11. Risen 2: Dark Waters [Best Pirate RPG for Classic Adventure Fans]
| Our Score | Enebameter 8/10
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| Platforms | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
| Year of release | 2012 |
| Creator | Piranha Bytes |
| Average playtime | ~26 hrs |
Risen 2: Dark Waters is a well-done, better-optimized sequel that leans into the pirate theme more than the first game in the series, which was quite a welcome change.
Several years later, I can confidently say that Risen 2: Dark Waters isn’t way past its prime and hasn’t aged badly at all, because just like my glorious king Lebron James, this game is timeless and is still among the best of the best. Here, you get to talk to various memorable NPCs out in the open world, all while you explore all the different islands and towns scattered all over the vast open sea.
If you like a classic, gothic-esque style of RPG that has great dialogue and good open-world exploration mechanics, then this game should make you a happy captain.
My Verdict: Risen 2: Dark Waters might creak like an old ship, but that’s part of its charm. It’s the messy, moody RPG adventure that somehow still hooks you.
12. Captain Blood [Best for Arcade Action Fans]
| Our Score | Enebameter 7.8/10
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| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, Microsoft Windows |
| Year of release | 2025 |
| Creator/s | 1C CompanyGeneral ArcadeAkella |
| Average playtime | ~6 hrs |
Captain Blood skips the fluff and dives straight into the fight. It’s all about sword clashes, explosions, and nonstop chaos, a true pirate brawler made for players who want action right away. The story’s simple, but the wild missions and ship battles keep things exciting from start to finish.
When I tried Captain Blood, I expected a dated mess. Instead, I found a slick, arcade-style hack-and-slash that feels like God of War crashed into a pirate ship. Combat is fast and brutal, with flashy finishers and cannon-blasting madness. Sure, the camera can act up, but the thrill makes up for it.
Visually, it’s gritty in the best way; big explosions, splintering ships, and a soundtrack that makes every battle feel epic.
My Verdict: Captain Blood feels like the arcade days came back for one last brawl. It’s loud, fast, and gone before you realize how much fun you’re having.
13. Sea Dogs [Best for Retro Gamers and Ship Combat Connoisseurs]
| Our Score | Enebameter 7.5/10
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| Platforms | Microsoft Windows |
| Year of release | 2000 |
| Creator | Akella |
| Average playtime | ~16 hrs |
Speaking of older games that haven’t lost their shine, Sea Dogs definitely fits that description, as it remains one of the best pirate games to play for those of you who are into incredible sandbox adventure games, even with it being older than most gamers nowadays.
Aside from being able to explore the high seas with your very own customizable ship and crew that you can recruit all over the map, this game also has quite an impressive, high-stakes storyline that makes all your conquests at sea all the more thrilling.
Have you enjoyed Sid Meier’s Pirates! and would like to play another game similar to it? Well, Sea Dogs should’ve been on your playlist, like, yesterday, as this game is by far the closest on this list to that title in terms of pure gameplay elements and visuals.
My Verdict: Sea Dogs is janky in all the right ways: rough, ambitious, and endlessly immersive once you let it pull you under.
Best Pirate Games at a Glance: Naval Combat and Style Breakdown
Not sure which one of the best pirate games fits your playstyle? This breakdown covers the full list by genre, core seafaring hook, and what makes each one worth picking up on Eneba. If you want deep tactical fleet management, pure co-op chaos, or a cinematic single-player adventure, this table points you straight to the right ship.
| Game Title | Primary Genre | Core Seafaring Hook | Best Value on Eneba |
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| AC Black Flag Resynced | Action-Adventure RPG | Next-gen ray traced ocean graphics with rebuilt dynamic broadside cannon physics | Definitive modern remake of the genre’s gold standard |
| Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition | Sandbox Multiplayer | Emergent sandbox chaos and boarding loops in a shared open world | Unrivaled online PvPvE community experience |
| Windrose | Survival Co-Op | Procedural maritime survival crafting loops with up to 8 players | Best co-op high-seas survival in Early Access |
| Return to Monkey Island | Point-and-Click Adventure | Witty puzzle-driven pirate storytelling with abstract art direction | Best casual pirate comedy experience |
| Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire | CRPG | Deep branching narrative with fully crewed ship management | Best story-driven pirate RPG on PC |
| Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii | Beat ‘Em Up ARPG | Over-the-top Majima chaos with rocket launchers and ship combat | Best pick for rowdy pirate comedy action |
| One Piece Odyssey | Turn-Based JRPG | Faithful anime adaptation with dynamic Scramble Area tactical mechanics | Best entry for anime and One Piece fans |
| Sid Meier’s Pirates! | Strategy Simulation | Mutiny risk and crew management metrics in a zero-to-hero pirate sandbox | Timeless tactical sailing simulator |
| Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale | Turn-Based Strategy | Turn-based tactical hex grid naval strategy with fleet and reputation management | Best pick for dedicated strategy captains |
| Lego Pirates of the Caribbean | Action-Adventure | Iconic Hans Zimmer soundtrack and family-friendly pirate chaos | Best zero-stress pirate game for all ages |
| Risen 2: Dark Waters | Open-World RPG | Gothic open-world island exploration with deep NPC dialogue | Best retro pirate RPG for classic adventure fans |
| Captain Blood | Arcade Hack-and-Slash | Fast brutal sword combat and cannon-blasting ship brawling | Best pure arcade pirate action pick |
| Sea Dogs | Sandbox Simulation | Deep old-school ship customization and high-stakes open sea exploration | Best pick for retro sandbox connoisseurs |
The best pirate games above are covered in full detail below, including scores, playtime, and exactly why each one made the cut. Scroll down to find your perfect pirate game – or jump straight to whichever genre calls to you.
Best Pirate Games for Kids? Here’s Peak Cozy Gaming:
Not every entry on this best pirate games list needs blood and cannon smoke. These three keep the adventure wholesome and the fun firmly family-friendly:
- LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game (2011) – bricky humor, a legendary Hans Zimmer soundtrack, and Johnny Depp voicing Jack Sparrow. The best pirate game for zero-stress family fun.
- Dragon Quest Treasures (2022) – wholesome treasure-hunting across floating islands with a squad of adorable recruitable monsters. Colorful, low on challenge, and endlessly charming for younger players.
- Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion (2018) – Finn, Jake, BMO, and Marceline take to the high seas in a turn-based RPG with the original voice cast intact.
These are the best pirate games to hand a younger player who wants high-seas adventure without the edge. All three are available on Eneba – grab a key and set sail.
My Overall Verdict on the Best Pirate Games
Pirate games hit differently depending on the kind of player you are. Some want freedom and chaos on the open seas, others crave deep storytelling or the tactical challenge you’d find in the best strategy games. But there’s something here for everyone who’s ever dreamed of hoisting the black flag:
- For social adventurers → Sea of Thieves. Nothing beats setting sail with friends, chasing treasure, and causing absolute mayhem together in the most unpredictable online sandbox ever made.
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- For single-player explorers → Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. It’s the perfect mix of ship combat and open-world freedom. You’ll lose hours just sailing, hunting, and discovering hidden islands.
- For chaos enjoyers → Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. It’s unhinged in the best way possible; part brawler, part comedy, and all heart, with sword fights and wild humor at every turn.
- For story-driven tacticians → Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire. Deep choices, layered dialogue, and world-shaping decisions make this the ultimate pick for players who love their pirate stories with brains and consequence.
- For strategy captains → Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale. Turn-based tactical hex grid naval combat and fleet management for the most cerebral pirates on this list.
No matter what kind of captain you are, these games guarantee one thing: adventure that doesn’t let go, even after you’ve docked your ship.
FAQs
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is the go-to, and with Black Flag Resynced rebuilding it from the ground up launching July 9, 2026, now is the best time to jump in.
Sea of Thieves is a better co-op pirate game than Skull and Bones due to its superior hardware optimization, player count, content quality, and community events.
Compared to top-tier open-world pirate games like Sea of Thieves or Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, King of Seas can be considered a vastly inferior, yet serviceable alternative worth checking out.
Windrose is playable solo, but the survival and combat systems are built for co-op. Up to 4 players is the sweet spot Kraken Express recommends for the best experience.
For the best tactical sailing simulators with great graphics, Windrose and AC Black Flag Resynced lead the pack in 2026 – the former for co-op survival, the latter for cinematic single-player naval combat.
