The game was initially conceived as a spin-off of the naval elements that were included in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag; however, it shifted its focus to become a standalone online pirate experience. Ubisoft Singapore's pirate sandbox finally saw the light of day with a closed beta this past weekend, offering players their first extended hands-on experience with the long-awaited title. This comes after numerous delays that had been experienced by the production team. Many players were left wishing for more traditional pirate roleplaying elements that were absent from the experience, despite the fact that the game received praise for its improved progression, loot systems, and ship combat. 

It was no longer possible to directly board other ships in close quarters melee battles or to freely explore colorful tropical islands on foot. These opportunities had been eliminated. 

It was a major disappointment for some people that Skull and Bones did not include more in-depth pirate sandbox elements. This prevented Skull and Bones from truly satisfying the desire to live out pirate fantasies. The beta, on the other hand, revealed that Skull and Bones is a surprisingly addicting online pirate experience when viewed through the appropriate lens.  This was demonstrated to those individuals who were open-minded to the naval focus of the game.

In the naval combat game Skull and Bones, players go from ship to ship. In its most fundamental form, Skull and Bones is all about constructing and personalizing pirate ships in order to engage in player versus player and player versus environment naval battles across perilous waters. Furthermore, these enhancements not only make ships more lethal when operating in open waters, but they also make it possible to enter higher-level contested areas that offer more lucrative rewards. After ensuring that they are adequately prepared for the perils that lie ahead, players embark on their journey from ports such as Tortuga in search of plunder and glory. It is possible to turn the tide of even the most epic naval showdowns with the help of well-timed cannon salvos and strategic sailing that takes advantage of weather conditions such as rolling waves. In Skull and Bones, naval battles are transformed into exhilarating virtual playgrounds, allowing players to experience the thrill of commanding historic fighting ships. Players are required to juggle a variety of tasks, including damage control, navigating unpredictable weather, and targeting enemies that are being piloted by other pirates while they are maneuvering. There are also times when unexpected events take place, such as harpooning vessels that are fleeing or ramming adversaries in the midst of violent storms.

Assaulting strongholds and getting involved in skirmishes in open water can easily consume a significant amount of time, and the fact that each victory against opponents who are well-matched is extremely satisfying is a direct result of the skill that is required.       
The game Skull and Bones features a vast amount of Skull & Bones items. The enticingly skinner box-style progression and loot systems in Skull and Bones are what really hook players who are looking for gameplay that will keep them interested over the long term. It is almost like playing a game in and of itself to amass wealth in order to continuously improve and advance one's navy. When new vessels are unlocked, they not only represent advances in their mechanical capabilities, but also status symbols. Players' dedication is reflected in the fact that higher-tier ships become highly sought after visual accomplishments. New equipment blueprints are constantly being discovered through exploration or by purchasing SaB items. These blueprints offer an almost infinite amount of min-maxxing potential, which can be used to fine-tune crafted weapons, hulls, and other ship components. An adequately outfitted fleet that undergoes gradual transformation over the course of dozens of hours gives the impression of a tangible legacy, one that becomes more formidable as a result of careful resource management and the experience gained in combat. While at the same time taking it easy, sail against breathtaking scenery. A peculiarly relaxing quality can also be found in the way that Skull and Bones handles ships and navigates open waters.

When you set sail in the midst of breathtaking tropical scenery, gently piloting iconic pirate vessels across shimmering seas, you experience a sense of calm and relaxation. Outside of combat, there is a zen-like pleasure that can be experienced simply by cruising the ocean blue and taking in the ambient sound design and beautiful seascapes that the game has to offer. In between more intense moments, the experience of navigating iconic naval craft through jungles, past sandy shores, and over foamy breakers brings about a tranquil atmosphere that is reminiscent of tourism. It is possible to experience a greater sense of leisurely discovery even by getting lost while exploring unmarked areas. When compared to the danger and excitement of raiding and player versus player combat, this kind of calm sailing is a restorative alternative. It gives the impression that players could continue to find unforced fun even after they have maximized their fleets, simply by taking pleasure in the act of piloting ships through vibrant aquatic environments.

There is room for improvement, but there is a lot of potential shown. 

           Since Skull and Bones is still in the process of being developed, it was only natural that the game's closed beta had some rough spots. The user interface was clunky, there were some technical glitches, and there was not enough variety in the endgame content. Additionally, it took some time to get used to the loading screens that occurred between major in-game actions after playing games with seamless transitions. Additionally, there is a strong foundation in place for augmenting the experience after the game has been released by means of consistent updates that include the addition of new regions, enemies, ship customization blueprints, and other features. A glimpse of a very promising online multiplayer adventure on the high seas was provided by the beta version of Skull and Bones for those individuals who were willing to experience the game primarily as a naval warfare game rather than as a full pirate sandbox. When viewed solely as a multiplayer game that focuses on ships, Skull and Bones had the potential to become a phenomenon that is worth keeping an eye on as it gets closer to being released.

However, it is possible that it will never fulfill all of the desires of living the pirate fantasy. Skull and Bones may turn out to be the pirate sandbox that fans of seafaring history, tactical ship-to-ship battles, and addictive skinner box gameplay have been looking for. However, these fans may find that Skull and Bones lacks the landlubbing that they were unaware they desired. The game's beta version demonstrated promising foundations that could lead to a significant amount of time being invested (pun intended) in the process of upgrading fleets and engaging in memorable naval skirmishes amidst the splendor of the tropical environment. It is possible that Ubisoft's long-awaited Pirate sim will have favorable winds and following seas ahead of it as the virtual pirate experience for those individuals whose true love lies not in walking the plank but in commanding it. This is because the game is currently undergoing continuous improvements prior to its launch.