Pirate scenario fans are already looking forward to the online game Sea of Thieves. However, a competing product called Blackwake is already available in Early Access.
Currently, a game called Blackwake is climbing high in the Steam charts. An online pirate game that sails in the same waters as Rare’s upcoming game Sea of Thieves. Has Rare now received serious competition and is being overtaken by this?
Even though both games are similar in some aspects, there are significant differences.
Naval battles with a seasoned crew
In both games, it is necessary to hire a crew made up of other players. Each crew member has a specific task on the large ships. In both online games, players must man the cannons, and a helmsman is needed. When boarding occurs in Sea of Thieves, players reach for their sabers and pistols and engage in a heated battle. Boarding is also possible in Blackwake, and as seen in the game’s trailer, things can get quite chaotic – and brutal.
However, while Blackwake focuses on naval battles, Sea of Thieves aims to offer even more. There’s also island exploration, fighting undead, and treasure hunting. There are supposed to be quests that lead you from island to island, and there must be a celebration among pirates with lots of grog. Additionally, there’s the graphic style. Blackwake maintains a very “realistic” look, while Rare opts for a humorous and colorful comic style in Sea of Thieves.
Two similar games that differ from each other
In Blackwake, the captain is chosen before each match. In these battles, you either fight against another ship or in 3-vs-3 battles. Those who prove themselves as captain might get votes again for the next match. In Sea of Thieves, anyone can be the captain, but it is also advisable to appoint a crew member for this role.
Although both Sea of Thieves and Blackwake deal with the pirate theme and feature naval battles, the titles differ significantly. Blackwake is a pure naval combat online game where players must form a strong crew to compete against other ships. In Sea of Thieves, however, you get more opportunities beyond naval battles and can explore islands, dig up treasures, and celebrate with your enemies.
Thus, Sea of Thieves is aimed more at those who prefer a kind of MMO – even if there will not be thousands of players per server. While Blackwake could be more described as a kind of pirate World of Warships.