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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11The best video game pirate depends on the kind of adventure you want: Edward Kenway for swashbuckling action, Guybrush Threepwood for comic puzzles, or a pirate you create and sail with in Sea of Thieves. This is a character-focused guide, not an objective ranking; each pick stands out for a different style of play.
At a glance: which video game pirate fits you?
| Pirate | Game | Tone and role | Best fit if you want |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Kenway | Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag | Swashbuckling action-adventure; fixed protagonist | A named captain, ship customization, and a Caribbean setting inspired by the early 18th century |
| Guybrush Threepwood | The Secret of Monkey Island and the wider Monkey Island series | Comic, fantastical puzzle-adventure; fixed protagonist | Absurd humor, puzzles, and insult-based swordplay |
| Your pirate avatar | Sea of Thieves | Shared-world adventure; player-created pirate | Sailing as a crew and making your own pirate stories |
Edward Kenway: the action-adventure captain
Edward Kenway is the pick for players who want a named pirate at the center of a swashbuckling action-adventure. Ubisoft describes Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag as a pirate game from 2013 whose story begins in 1715. Its official page presents Kenway as a young, cocky captain in the Caribbean, where players captain and customize a ship and visit locations across the region. Ubisoft’s Black Flag page also names Blackbeard, Calico Jack, Benjamin Hornigold, Charles Vane, and Anne Bonny among the figures players encounter.
The game draws on historical people and settings, but its characters are portrayals in a fictional action-adventure—not a documentary account. Ubisoft’s current page also promotes an enhanced remake as available now. Editions and platform availability can differ, so check the specific version and platform you intend to play.
Guybrush Threepwood: the comic would-be pirate
Guybrush Threepwood is a wannabe pirate whose defining trait is the mismatch between his grand self-image and his actual competence. Ron Gilbert, a co-creator of the series, put it this way: “The hero Guybrush Threepwood is a bit of a hapless hero. He’s much more of a hero in his own brain than he actually is in the world.” Lucasfilm’s interview with the Return to Monkey Island creators discusses the series’ storytelling, humor, and design.
#1 Best Overall
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
Start with The Secret of Monkey Island
In The Secret of Monkey Island, Guybrush sets out to become a pirate. Its puzzles and distinctive insult-based swordplay make it a strong choice if you prefer clever comic adventure to ship combat. His recurring nemesis is the ghost pirate LeChuck. Lucasfilm’s retrospective calls Guybrush the star of the series and says the Special Edition is available on Steam, GOG.com, and consoles; check current store listings for the platform and edition you want. Read Lucasfilm’s retrospective on The Secret of Monkey Island.
Return to the series
Return to Monkey Island was released on September 19, 2022, and developed by Lucasfilm Games, Terrible Toybox, and Devolver Digital, according to Lucasfilm’s creator interview. It brings original creator Ron Gilbert back to the series. It is another entry for players who enjoy Guybrush’s comic world, rather than a substitute for the original if you specifically want to see how his pirate ambitions begin.
Rank #2
- RENEWED PIRATE ADVENTURE — Sail the Caribbean as Edward Kenway during the Golden Age of Piracy in a faithfully enhanced remake with stunning visuals, upgraded gameplay, and new content.
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE — Captain the Jackdaw, board and sink enemy vessels, and battle foes using swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade.
- EXPLORE THE CARIBBEAN — Discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine as you brave stormy seas, explore tropical jungles, and dive into underwater shipwrecks.
- ENHANCED COMBAT AND STEALTH — Master rebuilt combat with new parrying mechanics and takedowns, plus improved stealth and parkour for smoother escapes and assassinations.
- COMMAND THE JACKDAW — Upgrade your pirate ship to take on powerful enemy vessels with enhanced naval mechanics and new alternate fire modes.
Sea of Thieves: make your own pirate
In Sea of Thieves, you inhabit a pirate role instead of following one fixed protagonist. Lucasfilm describes it as a shared-world adventure where crews can have up to four players. That makes it the most natural fit here if you want to sail with friends and build your own stories rather than watch one captain’s scripted journey.
The game also hosted The Legend of Monkey Island, a three-part crossover told through Tall Tales. Lucasfilm’s 2023 report says the adventure brings players together with Guybrush and sends them after LeChuck. That report said the Tall Tales were free to owners of any Sea of Thieves edition and Xbox Game Pass members at the time; access terms may have changed, so check the game’s current listing. Lucasfilm’s crossover announcement has details on the Monkey Island Tall Tales.
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Rank #3
- DELUXE EDITION CONTENT — Includes the base game plus the Master Assassin Character Pack with Edward’s outfit and weapons, and the Master Assassin Naval Pack featuring ship cosmetics, crew attire, and customization items with unique perks.
- RENEWED PIRATE ADVENTURE — Sail the Caribbean as Edward Kenway during the Golden Age of Piracy in a faithfully enhanced remake with stunning visuals, upgraded gameplay, and new content.
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE — Captain the Jackdaw, board and sink enemy vessels, and battle foes using swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade.
- EXPLORE THE CARIBBEAN — Discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine as you brave stormy seas, explore tropical jungles, and dive into underwater shipwrecks.
- ENHANCED COMBAT AND STEALTH — Master rebuilt combat with new parrying mechanics and takedowns, plus improved stealth and parkour for smoother escapes and assassinations.
Other pirate games to consider
If you are asking which pirate game to play rather than which character is most memorable, Sid Meier’s Pirates! and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii are additional options identified in GamesRadar+’s guide to pirate games. They broaden the game shortlist, but do not establish that one protagonist is better than another.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose
- Choose Edward Kenway for a fixed hero, action-adventure play, and a historical setting filtered through pirate fiction.
- Choose Guybrush Threepwood for a fixed hero, fantastical comedy, and puzzle-solving.
- Choose Sea of Thieves if you want a player-created pirate and shared crew adventures.
There is no sourced universal winner: the best pick depends on whether you want action, puzzles, or a pirate identity you can share with a crew.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITIES: Discover the most diverse Assassin's Creed world ever created. From Kingston to Nassau, explore 50 unique locations where you can live the life of a pirate.
- BECOME THE MOST FEARED PIRATE IN THE CARIBBEAN: Command your ship, the Jackdaw, and strike fear in all who see her. Plunder and pillage to upgrade the Jackdaw with ammunition and equipment needed to fight off enemy ships.
- MULTIPLAYER EXPERIENCE: Play with your friends in the ruthless and critically acclaimed multiplayer experience. Choose from an eclectic cast of characters from the Golden Age of Pirates and fight to the death in exotic locations.
- A BRASH REBEL ASSASSIN: Become Edward Kenway, a charismatic yet brutal pirate captain, trained by Assassins. Edward can effortlessly switch between the Hidden Blade of the Assassin's Order and all new weaponry including four flintock pistols and dual cutlass swords.
- EXPERIENCE THE GRITTY REALITY BEHIND THE PIRATE FANTASY: Stand amongst legendary names such as Blackbeard and Benjamin Hornigold, as you establish a lawless Republic in the Bahamas and relive the truly explosive events that defined the Golden Age of Pirates.
Rank #4
- EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITIES: Discover the most diverse Assassin's Creed world ever created. From Kingston to Nassau, explore 50 unique locations where you can live the life of a pirate.
- BECOME THE MOST FEARED PIRATE IN THE CARIBBEAN: Command your ship, the Jackdaw, and strike fear in all who see her. Plunder and pillage to upgrade the Jackdaw with ammunition and equipment needed to fight off enemy ships.
- MULTIPLAYER EXPERIENCE: Play with your friends in the ruthless and critically acclaimed multiplayer experience. Choose from an eclectic cast of characters from the Golden Age of Pirates and fight to the death in exotic locations.
- A BRASH REBEL ASSASSIN: Become Edward Kenway, a charismatic yet brutal pirate captain, trained by Assassins. Edward can effortlessly switch between the Hidden Blade of the Assassin's Order and all new weaponry including four flintock pistols and dual cutlass swords.
- EXPERIENCE THE GRITTY REALITY BEHIND THE PIRATE FANTASY: Stand amongst legendary names such as Blackbeard and Benjamin Hornigold, as you establish a lawless Republic in the Bahamas and relive the truly explosive events that defined the Golden Age of Pirates.
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