Game: SkullPirates
Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie, RPG
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: Arcade Distillery
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $4.99 | UK £4.29 | EU € 4,99
Release Date: February 6th, 2026
Review code provided with many thanks to Keymailer.
SkullPirates – Set Sail For a Brawler
SkullPirates is a straightforward arcade-style brawler that has you hacking, slashing, and scooping up coins with minimal fuss. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, and depending on how you approach it, that can either be a comfort or a limitation.
Coming from Arcade Distillery, a studio known for a very specific visual identity and tongue-in-cheek humour, SkullPirates feels instantly familiar if you’ve played their past work. It’s a small, affordable experience that’s easy to jump into, but whether it holds your attention depends heavily on how you play it.
A Pirate Problem With a Debt Collector
The setup is simple and intentionally silly. You’re part of the Skull Queen’s skeletal pirate crew, and thanks to her lavish spending habits, she now owes a worrying amount of money to a group of loan sharks led by the wonderfully named Sharktavia. To pay off that debt, you’re sent to raid the wealthy, cat-ruled island of Catannia and steal anything that isn’t nailed down.
The dialogue leans heavily into humour, and while some of it lands, a lot of jokes tend to linger longer than they should. Cutscenes often overstay their welcome, repeating the same gag until it loses its impact, and unfortunately, there’s no option to skip them. Early on, it’s mildly amusing, but later it becomes something you tolerate rather than enjoy.
Simple Combat, Familiar Structure
At its core, SkullPirates is a 2D hack-and-slash brawler with light RPG elements. You control a skeletal pirate armed with a sword and a limited-ammo firearm. Most encounters involve clearing waves of enemies, collecting coins, and moving steadily toward a boss fight at the end of each area.
Combat is very easy to grasp. You have basic melee attacks, a ranged shot which can be aimed for precision, and a dodge roll to avoid damage or reposition. Ammunition is limited, so most of your time is spent relying on close-range combat. It all feels responsive enough, and there’s nothing especially wrong with it, but it rarely surprises.
One issue that crops up is depth perception. Although the game presents itself as a 2D brawler, characters can move up and down within the playfield. Because your character is a flat, paper-like sprite, judging spacing can be awkward, leading to one attacking nothing.
Gear, and Companions
Between levels, SkullPirates offers light progression systems. You can upgrade stats like health or ammunition, and vendors allow you to purchase new weapons, outfits, and hats. These cosmetic items aren’t just visual either; they offer passive bonuses that affect movement speed, damage, or defence.
There are also companions you can unlock and summon during combat. Activated via a shoulder button, these helpers can provide temporary support before going on cooldown. In single player, this system is particularly helpful, as it adds a small sense of backup when enemy numbers start to swell.
That said, progression can feel slow. New gear is expensive, and grinding coins becomes a necessity rather than an option. Side objectives and optional challenges help speed things up a little, but the loop remains largely the same throughout.
Better With Friends, Weaker Alone
This is where SkullPirates shows its cracks. In single player, the experience can feel repetitive quite quickly. The structure rarely changes, and without difficulty settings, deaths can feel abrupt and occasionally unfair. Being forced to replay sections after a cheap hit adds frustration.
With friends, however, the game fares better. Local co-op injects energy into the formula, turning repetitive encounters into something more social and enjoyable. Laughing off deaths and sharing the chaos of combat makes the simplicity easier to forgive. As a low-cost local multiplayer game, it does its job well enough.
A Distinct Look
Visually, SkullPirates sticks closely to Arcade Distillery’s signature style. The painted, metallic look is detailed and distinctive, even if it feels very familiar territory for the studio. Enemy designs are quirky, environments are creative, from urban cat cities to glowing crystal caves.
The soundtrack does its job without standing out. It supports the action but rarely demands attention, which is fine for a game designed around quick sessions and repeated runs.
Conclusion – Skeleton Together
SkullPirates is a decent, no-nonsense brawler that feels best enjoyed in short bursts or with friends on the couch. Its combat is accessible, its style is recognisable, and its low price makes it an easy recommendation for local game nights.
In single player, though, the formula wears thin. Repetition sets in quickly, deaths can feel unfair, and the humour doesn’t always justify the unskippable cutscenes. But that will depend on the player’s individual tastes.
If you’re looking for a cheap co-op game to fill an evening with friends, SkullPirates fits the bill. Just don’t expect it to hold your attention for long if you’re sailing solo.
Final Verdict: I Like it
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