Skull and Bones, Ubisoft’s long-awaited pirate game, has finally launched its first season of post-launch content this month on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The update introduces various additions, including new world events, contracts, bounties, and a progression track similar to a battle pass.
Named “Raging Tides,” this inaugural live-service season mainly revolves around the new antagonist, Philippe La Peste, also known as the Plague King and his Fleet of Pestilence.
Players can increase the fleet’s hostility level by defeating La Peste’s advance guard, the Plaguebringers, as they appear throughout the game world. Upon reaching a certain threshold, players will confront a formidable adversary, rewarding a rare item upon defeat.
Alongside this core content, Season 1 presents two elite boss Kingpin Bounties: “Jaws of Retribution: Introducing Zamaharibu” from March 5th to 26th and “Anguish from the Abyss: Rode Maangodin” from March 26th to April 16th.
Players can undertake three unique contracts (“The African Ailment,” “The Pursuing Plague,” and “The Encroaching Epidemic”) to earn seasonal cosmetics for their captain and ship. A repeatable contract, “Peste Control,” offers players the chance to earn rewards by delivering Plaguebringer Captain heads to Robin Blackwood.
Season 1 introduces the Smugglers Pass, Skull and Bones’ first battle pass-style feature, comprising both free and paid tracks. The paid track exclusively offers cosmetic rewards, while the free track allows players to unlock new ships, weapons, armor, and furniture blueprints, alongside cosmetics, by earning Smugglers Points through various gameplay activities.
The free pass is divided into three tracks, catering to different playstyles—offensive, defensive, or strategic—allowing players to focus on their preferred track or complete all three.
Any unredeemed items by the end of the season will be purchasable in the Black Market using Piece of Eight currency starting in Season 2. Detailed information on gameplay tweaks and bug fixes accompanying this update is available in Ubisoft’s Season 1 patch notes.
Ubisoft has committed to one year of post-launch support for Skull and Bones, divided into four seasonal updates.
However, despite some entertaining combat and visually appealing environments, the core game received criticism for its dull gameplay and monotonous tasks. Season 1 may not significantly improve the overall experience, as highlighted in a two-star review that described the game as disappointingly lackluster and mundane.
