Ubisoft is plotting a course to make Cranium and Bones 12 months 2 the pirate multiplayer recreation’s largest but because of main content material additions like new modes, ships, a Kraken, and one thing followers have begged for since launch: land fight.
Ubisoft opened its treasure chest of plans for the subsequent 12 months of updates throughout a particular 12 months 2 showcase that premiered yesterday. Its presentation was full of content material to stay up for, however it’s Season 3: Guts and Glory that guarantees the land fight function gamers have hoped to see included since Cranium and Bones initially launched final February.
Throughout Season 3 this fall, Ubisoft will lastly permit gamers to take the motion away from the ocean, which means you’ll be capable to swordfight and even draw your firearms towards others. It’s all a part of Season 3’s Rogue Warlord additions, which can see gamers setting foot on sandy seashores and damp caves to rescue expert crewmembers generally known as Officers. A video teasing the function confirmed a little bit of what gamers can count on, however it’s clear we’ll have to attend till later this 12 months to see the way it all works.
Whereas land fight is by far the largest addition coming with Cranium and Bones 12 months 2, the presentation had a lot extra to maintain gamers digging all through 2025. Season 1 units sail in the present day, April 15, with Ascent into Chaos, which provides a loot-enhancing merchandise ascension function, difficult World Tiers, a brand new Schooner medium ship, and the team-based Loss of life Tides PvP mode. Season 2: Oaths of Struggle, which launches summer season 2025, contains highlights resembling Megaforts and the gargantuan Frigate giant ships, with Season 4: Eye of the Beast set to introduce the Kraken, Hunter’s Guild, and Corvette giant ship this winter.
If every thing you’ve heard sounds attractive sufficient to dive in, you’ll be joyful to know Cranium and Bones will launch a free weekend in just some days. From April 17 – 21, gamers can increase sails to check out pirate PvP for themselves and likewise buy the sport at a diminished value (which has but to be introduced).
Cranium and Bones launched February 16, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Collection X | S (we gave it a 7/10 in our overview). Though Ubisoft has been reluctant to share official gross sales stats for its newest pirate journey recreation, it did tease that it managed to herald “document participant engagement” shortly after its launch. Curiously, the launch of Cranium and Bones additionally coincided with a 200% improve in Murderer’s Creed 4: Black Flag gamers.
Michael Cripe is a contract contributor with IGN. He is greatest identified for his work at websites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Remember to give him a observe on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).