Skull and Bones has exceeded my above average expectations. I was invited to the second Beta, which lasted six hours, and I was addicted. Being addicted, I payed for the $129.00 version so I could play three days early. I now have sixty hours with the game and I have Kingpin rank.
The game is largely about grinding. You grind to get better ships, you grind to get the best cannons for your playstyle, and you also grind to get better different types of ship armor. Grinding consists of buying blue prints and then gathering the resources to build the item. I have what I consider is the best type of ship, although different ships have different playstyles. The graphics are alright when ashore and pretty nice when at sea.
Playing with real players adds for a nice change of pace from the base game. You can gift people money, I have done; it would be possible to put a conversation in world status that you will pay someone $5000 or whatever amount if they help you with a mission—I have not seen done. I still have a lot to discover and that mainly has to do with multiplayer. Kingpin status also has what I consider nice surprises that I do not wish to spoil. You should be able to grind yourself to Kingpin status, attacking small ships adds to your experience/infamy, then once you have Kingpin status enjoy a surprise and then grind some more.
The game excels in ingenuity and is perfectly balanced. If it had ashore fighting it would probably crash the game. My first impression with the game was a 9/10. After playing it awhile I’m leaning towards a 8.8/10, but I have to think back at my first fun I had getting a better ship and I will leave my score at a 9/10.
I am very happy with my $129 purchase to support the game and Ubisoft. The game is already on sale for $59.99.
A reminder you will need PS Network to play the game. I have average quality internet that sometimes dips and it still works for me.