Sea of Thieves
Don’t look now, however Sea of Thieves is almost six years previous. Still, I do not really feel it is ever actually acquired the reward it is lengthy deserved. With a live-service recreation, the good factor is you may maintain contemplating it for added reward, and 2024 was definitely a yr to lift a tankard to Rare’s pirate sandbox as soon as extra. Amid a yr by which it debuted on PS5, a lot to the enjoyment of some gamers and the odd dismay of others, Sea of Thieves is experiencing arguably its largest yr so far by way of sweeping adjustments and main additions.
The PvP meta was essentially shaken up with the introduction of a number of new weapons, equivalent to a double-barrel pistol, throwing knives, Bone Caller bombs that spawn allied skeletons, and even a blowdart for the stealthier swashbucklers. The recreation additionally added traversal instruments (with out guidelines) to its bucket of enjoyable, with harpoon ropes now appearing as walkable tightropes, ziplines round islands, and a grappling hook for peak Captain Batman gameplay.
But Rare’s finest transfer could have been one it made earlier this yr, which launched with the PS5 debut. An overhaul to choosing missions of any type meant the on-ship Quest Table grew to become a one-stop store for all gamers, whether or not you wished to tackle a story-rich Tall Tale, storm a Skeleton Fort, or simply beat up a couple of Ocean Dwellers deep beneath the waves. Dedicated pirates acquired main, significant updates all all year long, which helps maintain the sport among the many best you may play on any platform it exists, however maybe on Xbox most of all, the place many gamers have devoted 1000’s of hours throughout greater than a half-decade to residing the whole pirate life (and it is nonetheless accessible on Game Pass). Sea of Thieves modified form a lot in 2024 that it is tough to measure whether or not it is even the identical recreation anymore–and sure, that was a Ship of Theseus joke.
— Mark Delaney
