Such an evocative word!

Skull and Bones makes some genuine effort to add variety to its acquisition loop.

But outposts, in all their conspicuous emptiness, feel like the remnants of some grand ambition forever unrealised.

Official Skull and Bones artwork showing three pirates stood in front of their moored pirate ship that faces the camera, with others in the background against a blue sky

And that’s the rub.

There are moments when Skull and Bones weaves a convincing spell.

A copy of Skull and Bones was provided for review by Ubisoft.

Cover image for YouTube video

Skull and Bones screenshot showing a pirate walking amongst some pretty green trees with anove-ground roots

Skull and Bones screenshot showing a triumphant-looking ship with red sails from the side

Skull and Bones screenshot showing the crew taking cover

Skull and Bones screenshot showing a very large ship with lots of sails during nice weather

Skull and Bones screenshot showing a small boat at sea at sunset

Skull and Bones screenshot showing a pirate town glowing orange in the night

Skull and Bones screenshot showing a pirate at a port with tropical mountains in the distance

Skull and Bones screenshot showing shop combat at night

Skull and Bones screenshot showing pirates on the deck of the ship at night

Skull and Bones screenshot showing a ship with a fan-like sail at disk by the coast

Skull and Bones screenshot showing a pirate in a cave mouth looking outwards

Skull and Bones screenshot showing a larger pirate ship at a yellow-hued dusk