After years of anticipation, Ubisoft’s pirate adventure Skull and Bones has finally launched. But the game’s $60 price tag for the standard edition has given some gamers pause, especially considering the lukewarm reception from its recent beta test. However, there is good news for those intrigued but hesitant about laying down full price: a generous 8-hour free trial is available so you can take Skull and Bones for a spin at no cost.

Skull and Bones entered development in 2013 as an evolution of the naval gameplay from Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Originally slated for 2018, multiple delays pushed the release back over 5 years as Ubisoft expanded the scope beyond just ship battles. Now described as a “live multiplayer game with a strong narrative component,” Skull and Bones aims to be a fully-fledged pirate fantasy.

But that expanded scope comes at a premium price. At $60 for PC and $70 on consoles, Skull and Bones is priced as a major AAA release despite its unconventional structure as an “ongoing game” with a battle pass and in-game store. During a recent earnings call, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot defended the pricing, calling it a “quadruple-A game” and stating “people will really see how vast and complete that game is” once they dive in.

Still, $60 is a big ask for the typical player to take a risk, especially after lukewarm impressions from the game’s open beta test last September. Reviewers found the core gameplay enjoyable but criticized bugs, balance issues, and a lack of content. With only a week until release, some fans have expressed hesitation about purchasing Skull and Bones blindly.

Play Skull and Bones for free for 8 hours

Fortunately, a free trial option enables you to experience Skull and Bones first-hand before buying. Available on PC via the Epic Games Store, Ubisoft, Xbox Store, and PlayStation Store for consoles, the trial grants 8 hours of unrestricted access – ample time to feel out the basics. Progress also carries over to the full game, so you won’t lose anything from the trial.

Early reports suggest the launch has gone relatively smooth, with a few hiccups. Ubisoft has already deployed patches addressing technical problems and balance tweaks. Further tuning is expected as live service operations ramp up. However, with no presence on Steam, hard data about player counts or reception remains scarce for now.

Of course, 8 hours is only enough to scratch the surface of a sprawling multiplayer pirate sim. But for those intrigued yet unsure about Skull and Bones, its free trial provides the perfect opportunity to hoist the sails and see if the high seas adventure is worth the cost of admission. The game’s full potential will only reveal itself over time, but you can at least find out if it checks your boxes for the price.

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