Skull & Bones Closed Beta Review:
After finally gaining access to the closed beta of Skull & Bones, I dedicated a few hours to exploring what the game had to offer. Regrettably, my experience was largely negative, as Ubisoft’s Skull & Bones proved to be a dull and uninspired gaming venture.
For those unfamiliar with the tumultuous development history of Skull & Bones, the game underwent six delays and even changed studios during its production. The result, as witnessed in the closed beta, seems to fall short of the initially promised and anticipated gaming experience.
Originally conceived as a DLC for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag, a game celebrated as one of the best in the Assassin’s Creed series, expectations were high. However, the connection to Black Flag does not translate into an engaging or exciting gameplay experience in Skull & Bones. Despite its roots in the acclaimed Black Flag, the game’s numerous delays, setbacks, and problems have seemingly left it far from the quality it initially aspired to achieve.
In essence, Skull & Bones, with its troubled development history, fails to live up to the potential hinted at by its association with the beloved Assassin’s Creed Black Flag. The closed beta experience only further underscores the game’s current state of uninspired and lackluster gameplay.
Skull & Bones Gameplay and Mechanics: A Disappointing Voyage in Development Hell
In the highly anticipated Skull & Bones, players were hoping for an experience reminiscent of the acclaimed ship combat in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag. However, the reality falls disappointingly short of these expectations, delivering an arcade-like ship combat system that lacks the strategic depth expected from a AAA title.
Approaching the beta with an open mind, devoid of preconceived positive or negative expectations, the gameplay left much to be desired. The ship combat, a central aspect of the game, felt bland as players found themselves at sea, attacking other ships by locking in and firing without the ability to line up shots as in Black Flag.
Upon reaching a certain point in damaging an enemy ship, players are prompted to press a button to board the ship. Unfortunately, the anticipation of engaging in hand-to-hand swashbuckling combat was met with disappointment, as the boarding process unfolded in a non-interactive animation, showcasing the crew taking loot without allowing player control.
Harvesting resources, a crucial element for progression, involves going to specific locations and pressing a button. However, the process lacks depth, featuring a quick-time event without an accompanying animation or visible crew activity. The absence of the ability to disembark and explore islands freely further detracts from the expected freedom in a pirate-themed game.
The limitations on island exploration become apparent, with players only able to land and move around in designated areas prompted by the game. This lack of autonomy contradicts the essence of a pirate’s life, which is not confined solely to the seas.
The ship steering mechanics emerge as a significant hurdle in the gameplay experience. The lack of smoothness in ship steering makes the ship combat less enjoyable and, considering the game’s heavy reliance on naval exploration, it becomes a discouraging factor for players.
Switching between first and third person while steering the ship offers a degree of flexibility, but some players find first-person mode challenging, adding to the overall frustration in controlling the vessel.
The introduction of hostile predators like sharks in the water adds an interesting dynamic, particularly when on smaller vessels. Players can defend against these threats by using spears, creating a layer of tension during sea exploration.
Earning money in Skull & Bones involves accepting and completing contracts and selling items looted throughout the world. This currency is then utilized for various upgrades, including ship enhancements, clothing, and weapons.
Despite potential strengths in storytelling, dialogue, and graphics, the gameplay emerges as the most disappointing element of Skull & Bones. The ship combat lacks the anticipated depth, island exploration is restrictive, and ship steering proves to be a cumbersome experience, hindering the overall enjoyment of the game.
The game’s tumultuous development history, described as “development hell” for years, may have contributed to the shortcomings in gameplay. While the connection to the Assassin’s Creed universe is present, the gameplay experience feels distinctly different, with an unexpected departure from the expected quality.
In conclusion, Skull & Bones falls short of the excitement and intrigue expected from a pirate-themed adventure. The gameplay disappoints, raising concerns about the overall success of the game upon its release. As players await the February launch, there is a collective hope that the developers address these gameplay issues and deliver a more engaging and fulfilling experience on the high seas.
Exploration: Unveiling Playthrough, UI/UX Dynamics, and Development Journey
In this two-part analysis, I delve into my extensive playthrough experience of Skull & Bones, examining the encountered User Interfaces (UI) and the resulting User Experience (UX), while sharing my comprehensive thoughts on the matter.
Playing the game on PlayStation 5 for slightly over 2 hours, within the 6-hour beta gameplay allocation, offered valuable insights. Though acknowledging the temporal constraints limiting a full exploration of the game’s potential, this duration provided a meaningful understanding of the current state, particularly in aspects such as the warfare system and how the game is categorized.
Skull & Bones, with a development timeline dating back to 2013, aims to stand as a standalone multiplayer rendition of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag’s Naval Combat. The game’s ambition is notable, yet it faces the considerable challenge of filling the shoes of its acclaimed predecessor. While progress is evident, the realization of the game’s full potential seems to be a journey still in progress, emphasizing the intricacies involved in crafting this naval warfare experience.
The examination begins with a deep dive into the playthrough experience, analyzing the gameplay mechanics, combat dynamics, and overall engagement. This will be complemented by an exploration of the encountered User Interfaces, scrutinizing their effectiveness, clarity, and contribution to the overall immersive experience.
The User Experience (UX) analysis encompasses the interplay of various elements, from UI design to gameplay fluidity. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the user interacts with the game and how well the design choices align with the overarching objectives.
Additionally, the discussion extends to the broader context of the game’s development journey. Being in the works for nearly a decade, the challenges, triumphs, and potential future directions for Skull & Bones will be considered. This includes an evaluation of how the game positions itself within the realm of naval warfare gaming and the expectations it carries as a multiplayer evolution from the beloved Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
In conclusion, this two-part exploration aims to offer a nuanced perspective on Skull & Bones, covering its present state, UI/UX dynamics, and the fascinating journey it has undertaken since its inception in 2013.
Stability & Polish: Navigating the Waves of Development
In the tumultuous waters of game development, Skull & Bones stands as an online-only multiplayer venture, and in the beta release, it showcased commendable stability. This is particularly noteworthy given its history of navigating through a prolonged development phase. During a three-hour gameplay session, the game experienced only two crashes, reflecting a level of stability that bodes well for its online multiplayer functionality.
While stability proved satisfactory, the aspect of the presentation left room for improvement. In the beta build, the interface exhibited a gritty, low-resolution quality, coupled with a somewhat clean appearance. This aesthetic choice may be intentional, aligning with the chosen setting of the game. However, it prompts consideration for enhanced polish in the overall presentation to elevate the player’s visual experience.
Acknowledging that the critique is based on the beta build, there remains optimism that as the development progresses, Skull & Bones will undergo refinements in its presentation, addressing any rough edges and further aligning with the envisioned aesthetic. The evaluation of polish extends beyond mere graphical elements, encompassing the overall user interface design and the finesse with which the game elements are presented.
As Skull & Bones sails toward its release, the balance between stability and polish becomes paramount for a satisfying player experience. The stability showcased in the beta is a positive sign, and with continued efforts in refining the presentation, the game has the potential to offer players a seamless and visually captivating journey through the high seas of multiplayer naval warfare.
Skull & Bones Structure: Familiar UI Patterns with a Lack of Innovation
The main menu UI in Skull & Bones largely adheres to the established structure seen in other Ubisoft games. Divided into three sections, the left side features navigation elements in a list format, the center space reserved for looping cinematic graphics, and the right space allocated for Ubisoft store advertisements and content—a design reminiscent of titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Valhalla, Odyssey, and Origins.
This pattern extends to the settings page/internal menu, following the same design structure with main navigation displayed at the top and center. Related settings are shown below on the left, with their corresponding “impact” displayed on the right, followed by action controls at the bottom.
Despite involving numerous studios, including Ubisoft Mumbai and Pune, in the project, Skull & Bones maintains a safe approach by sticking closely to the established UI patterns. This lack of innovation in the primary user interface is somewhat surprising, as one might expect a project of this scale to introduce fresh and innovative design elements.
Skull & Bones Visuals and Graphics: A Sea of Mixed Impressions
In terms of visuals, Skull & Bones doesn’t disappoint entirely. The water is well-rendered, offering a pleasing aesthetic, although the absence of dynamic waves detracts from the excitement of navigation. The vibrant atmosphere and the appealing design of Sainte Anne Island contribute positively to the game’s visual appeal.
However, the positive aspects largely end there. The animations are criticized for being stiff and clunky, with characters lacking vitality. Facial expressions are notably lifeless, accompanied by non-existent lip-syncing, creating an overall awkward visual experience. The absence of effective motion capture for lip-syncing is particularly notable, especially when compared to Ubisoft’s other recent releases.
The character animation and design contribute to a feeling of lifelessness, lacking the attention to detail seen in other captivating games. While some games invest effort in making NPCs and additional characters lifelike, Skull & Bones falls short in this aspect.
One positive note is the inclusion of sea shanties when boarding a larger ship, reminiscent of the enjoyable feature in Black Flag.
In summary, the visuals in Skull & Bones leave much to be desired, portraying the game more as a ship simulator than a vibrant pirate adventure. Ultimately, the game fails to deliver the excitement and intrigue expected from a pirate-themed experience, with other, more engaging pirate games available in the gaming landscape.
Skull & Bones Transition Issue: Addressing Animation Lag in Settings Page
Within the intricate framework of Skull & Bones, a notable transition issue surfaces on the settings page. This anomaly is particularly evident in the move-in animation assigned to each setting when users scroll down. The observed concern revolves around the animation’s sluggish pace. When users engage in rapid scrolling, a discernible delay in visibility emerges, stemming from the prolonged completion time of the animation.
This identified transition issue hinders the seamless navigation within the settings page, impacting the user experience. To optimize this aspect, an enhancement is warranted. A refined animation, marked by improved speed and responsiveness, would contribute to smoother and more efficient user interaction within the settings interface.
As Skull & Bones progresses through its developmental voyage, rectifying this transition issue stands as a pivotal step to ensure a polished and user-friendly environment. By addressing animation lag in the settings page, the game can elevate its overall interface dynamics, fostering a more engaging and enjoyable experience for players navigating through the intricacies of in-game settings.
