There's nothing quite like taking to the high seas in a game or in real life. During that travel, the only objective is the destination. Beyond that, it's about exploring and enjoying the simplicity of the ocean and not being eaten alive by giant sea monsters or being destroyed by galleons with way more guns. The good life.
Many games try to replicate these high seas adventures. One of the most popular that nailed the feel of naval combat alongside the exploration of isolated islands dotting the map was Assassin's Creed: Black Flag. With its many locations as well as the hypnotic sea shanties, other games have much to live up to in order to stand alongside this great sailing experience.
9 Traveling Between Islands With Enemies Afoot Makes Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire A Fun Sailing Game
While the perspective is a top-down, map-traveling approach, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire provides plenty of high seas adventure for players seeking to explore the world at the risk of being boarded by powerful enemies.
As the Watcher, players are tasked with traveling from island to island in order to build their power and alliances to defeat a mighty god walking the surface. During this process, they'll have chances to upgrade their ship and engage in text-based ship combat. While the combat isn't too exciting, the exploration makes up for it.
8 While It May Not Be Sailing, Grand Theft Auto V's Speedboat And Jet Ski Races Are Hard To Pass Up
Grand Theft Auto is peerless when it comes to the shenanigans players can find themselves in. This is no different when they hit the waters surrounding the island of San Andreas. Whether they're racing jet-skis or having shoot-outs between speedboats, there are plenty of fun things to do.
For the most part, skimming the surface of the waves feels great, as well. Boats clip and bounce off the waves, and, given enough damage, boats will break down, leaving players stranded in the ocean.
7 Become A Pirate Through Mini-Games In Sid Meier's Pirates
As one of the earliest examples of a great pirate game, Sid Meier's Pirates was released in 1987. While this was an excellent game in its own right, when it was updated in 2004, it became even better. With quality improvements and great graphics for its time, the game brought piracy to video games in a legal way.
In Pirates, players will sail the Caribbean, taking into consideration wind conditions, other ships, and the weather. Other than sailing, players can take part in a variety of mini-games to help them grow their role as a legendary pirate of the Caribbean.
6 The Wind Waker Has Fantastic Sailing
Although decisive on release, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is still widely regarded as having a special place in the franchise due to the unique way players explore the world. They were able to ride on the back of an anthropomorphic sailboat, the King of Red Lions.
When it was re-released for the Wii-U, quality improvements were made that eased the frustration of finding a path on the high seas as well as sped up how fast the boat could actually go. With these changes, setting sail finally felt great and the waters of Hyrule became exciting to explore.
5 Crafting A Boat In Valheim And Setting Sail Across Serene Seas Is Always Rewarding
Valheim has a wonderful way of sneaking up on the player. It is serene and peaceful in the early hours of hunting and gathering. Building a base is satisfying and creates a place to call home after a long day of adventuring.
Eventually, players can build a boat and set sail for greener pastures. Once on the waters, at least in the early stages, players have a serene vantage point to look out for lush, welcoming beaches to call home. After finding some new biomes, however, things become more treacherous, with dangerous creatures lurking in the deep.
4 The Loneliness Of The High Seas In Sea Of Solitude Is Just As Dangerous As The Water
For a more contemplative experience, Sea of Solitude provides hours of introspection while gliding across deep waters between sunken cities. While this game may not have the action-packed drama of the Caribbean seas, it makes up for it its narrative.
Players get insight into the main character's own declining mental health as she battles against her own existential dread. It's an intimate story with desperate stakes that drives the player forward through the rising seas and into the next chapter of Kay's story.
3 Survival Mechanics Make Exploration Dangerous And Rewarding In Windbound
Similar to The Wind Waker, Windbound offers vast oceans to explore, dotted with dangerous islands. Unlike that Zelda game, however, this game is completely based on survival. Players are expected to make a plan before embarking onto islands.
While the game can be a bit tedious, it's the level to which the player feels the desperation of being lost on the high seas and having to fend for themselves under dire circumstances. With patience, players are rewarded with beautiful scenery and the feeling of victory against impossible odds.
2 Learn What It Takes To Sail A Real Craft In VR Regatta
For any players looking for an exceptional VR experience, VR Regatta offers hours of sailing. This game welcomes newcomers as well as those well versed in sailing, as it has both instructional capabilities as well as hands-off modes.
Getting to experience the open ocean in first-person VR lets players feel as though they are actually bobbing up and down along the surface as they work the various parts of their craft in order to keep sailing. The game asks that players learn and love true sailing techniques in a way that is unique to the genre.
1 Sailing Doesn't Get Much Better Than When It's Done With Friends In Sea Of Thieves
Sea of Thieves is the current exceptional destination for anyone wanting to traverse the high seas with the wind at the back and countless distant shores dotting the horizon. Created by Rare, this game has grown to include even branded Pirates of the Caribbean content since its release in 2018.
With weather physics that decide direction and speed, to the spectacular water that can turn dangerous in an instant, Sea of Thieves begs players to get back on their lone sloop or four-person Galleon and embark on their next adventure.