Not only is this a huge relief, but there are times where silence is golden. It’s just you and your ship: No randos throwing a temper tantrum because they can’t steer the ship, no one in a loud and angry argument with their girlfriend as you load into the game, no players who are ready and all too willing to inform you of how high they are. There’s also the pleasing benefit that solo games have no other players assigned to you by matchmaking. I nudge the wheel and sails as necessary, and scan the horizons, keeping an eye out for other ships. I barely need to head downstairs to keep an eye on the map. The solo player gets to watch their proficiency grow, and things that were once frustrating fade away. You have to actively unlock and pursue more difficult missions, and so you won’t be overwhelmed as you practice. It helps that progression in Sea of Thieves relies on player choice. Last night, I spent an hour in a prolonged chase with a larger vessel, fighting impossible odds to keep my ship afloat while I single-handedly fought off a larger boarding party. If you choose to play solo, you can still find thrilling action-adventure moments. Want to while the evening away and push yourself to fill up your hold as much as possible? You can focus on the loot without being pressured to go check out that skull cloud, or join in on a pirate music party. Want to complete a single voyage in a nice, half-hour chunk? Go for it without any pressure from the rest of the team to stay online.
![voat.co world of warcraft bot voat.co world of warcraft bot](https://images.discordapp.net/avatars/483340619432067098/44a7a79dc6dee6564169ed64ab908b3f.png)
Playing with friends comes with the expectation of consideration for their voyages and their progression.
![voat.co world of warcraft bot voat.co world of warcraft bot](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_gOHoiSxQZ4/maxresdefault.jpg)
In a game where ‘experience’ is less of a character advancement mechanic and more of a literal thing you gain over time, the solo player gets to set their own schedule. I’ve played hours of solo voyages since then, and it’s quiet, and more difficult, but I feel like I’m advancing my mastery of sailing and brawling. I sailed in circles across the ocean, finally making it to Snake Island. I chose to go in blind, and my first voyage was a short one. In fact, the first few hours you spend with Sea of Thieves will likely be frustratingly opaque, unless you turn to guides and do some reading outside of the game.
![voat.co world of warcraft bot voat.co world of warcraft bot](https://i.imgur.com/ujeWfA9.png)
Solo pirates can find content well within their grasp. But there’s a surprising amount of room to master those mechanics and feel yourself improve at the art of pirate-craft. There are no experience bars, and enemies do not drop items ranging in rarity from green to orange that give you +2 to Shanty Song Mastery or extra damage on your cutlass swings. Sea of Thieves is relatively content-light at launch, and most of your time will be centered around collecting things for three factions.
![voat.co world of warcraft bot voat.co world of warcraft bot](https://blizzardwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/On-a-ship-current.jpg)
Even with all of that in mind, I’ve had a blast for around 15 hours as a solo swashbuckler. Will you be at a disadvantage against enemy crews out there on the lawless ocean? Also yes. For those among us who prefer to play on their own, or just can’t rustle up a group, don’t worry: Sea of Thieves is a perfectly viable solo experience. Sea of Thieves is a fun but uneven multiplayer game that allows you to roll around with friends as a crew of four (or two, on a smaller ship) pirates.