As a first-time player of an ocean adventure on PS5, Sea of Thieves hooked me right away. In this post, I share 8 reasons why it became one of my favorite games.
Give me a game where you can’t buy your way to flashier weapons. Give me a game where leveling up means you’ve genuinely become better at understanding the strategies that work. Give me this game, and I’ll bite—I’ll try anything. That’s exactly how I got into Sea of Thieves, especially when it launched on PS5 earlier this year.
A couple of hours into it, I knew this was right up my alley. This was a game that emphasized patience, cooperation, and creativity. Four months later, with over 100 hours invested, I’m laying down my thoughts in this post to articulate why I’ve enjoyed it so much.
Vast Open World
I know most pirate and ocean exploration games work similarly, but I love the vast open world of Sea of Thieves. The freedom to sail anywhere was incredibly satisfying. In hindsight, I feel the developers’ decision to avoid setting specific paths or forcing players to progress in a certain way could have backfired, but it hasn’t. Sorry for trying to sound poetic, but there’s something about the salty, heavy fragrance of the open sea in this game that feels just right.
Thinking Like a Pirate
If you try Sea of Thieves, you’ll quickly realize that to enjoy this game, you truly need to think like a pirate. The only rule here is that there are no strict rules. Even if you get something like a treasure map, it’s not just about following the prompts. You have to rely on your wits and, more importantly, on teamwork. The game’s hints can help to some extent, but it’s your ability to think and act like a pirate that will really get you far.
Teamwork is Key
I’ve mentioned the need for creativity and teamwork, and I’m not exaggerating. One person doesn’t get to decide everything. One player needs to steer the ship, another has to check the maps, and someone else must adjust the sails according to the wind conditions. And, of course, someone else might have to repair the hull or bail out the water flooding the ship. Button-mashing won’t get you far in this game—you need true coordination to succeed.
Simple but Effective Combat
A word on the combat system: it’s simple, but it’s effective. For melee attacks, you have a sword. For ranged combat, you have pistols and rifles. You’ve also got cannons on your ship, and that’s about it. Some might find this too minimalistic, but for me, the thrill came from figuring out what to use and when. Believe me, the ship battles are intense and engrossing—you won’t miss flashier weapons once you’re in the thick of it.
The Ocean’s Beauty
The ocean in Sea of Thieves is stunning. The way the water moves, how the light reflects off the waves, and the particularly gorgeous sunsets are all incredibly pretty. Someone I know who has played almost every ocean exploration game out there said Sea of Thieves easily ranks a 10/10 on the visual scale. I couldn’t agree more.
Whimsical Art Style
There’s something whimsical, even oddly colorful, about the game’s art style. Whatever it is, it makes Sea of Thieves feel alive and vibrant. Whether you’re sailing under a clear blue sky or braving a storm, the art captures the adventurous spirit of pirate life perfectly. It’s one of those things that sticks with you long after you’ve stopped playing.
Technical Aspects on PS5
As for the technical side, the gameplay on PS5 is smooth. Apart from a couple of minor glitches with texture loading, it was a seamless experience. The game ran steadily at 60 frames per second, which made everything—from the sailing to the combat—feel fluid and responsive.
Cross-Platform Play
Although I played solo most of the time, one of the big strengths of the PS5 version is the full support for cross-play with Xbox and PC players. I didn’t think about it at first, but in hindsight, yes, I was easily able to connect with other players across different platforms. This feature really expands the game’s multiplayer potential, making it easier to find crewmates and enjoy the experience with friends regardless of their system.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fantastic pirate adventure on PS5, I strongly recommend Sea of Thieves On PS5. And if you enjoy sandbox-style games but have never tried an ocean adventure, this game will likely be a perfect fit. Just remember, the key is to think like a pirate: focus on teamwork, explore the vast ocean, and embrace the freedom to create your own path. It’s a game that rewards skill, strategy, and patience—not flashy upgrades or easy wins.