Well, it only a few years of waiting but Rare and Microsoft's Sea of Thieves is finally here. And after spending several hours on the high-seas in search of treasure, engaging in combat, and not-so-high speed chases across the water, we're ready to give our verdict.

One that took a while to come to terms with because there's so much to love about Sea of Thieves. Even if it's lacking in content and long-term appeal.

Let’s begin with what Sea of Thieves does well, other than letting you load yourself into a cannon. And that is let you become a pirate. One of the main reasons it can instantly sell the concept of becoming a pirate so effectively is with just how impressive the water looks, behaves, and interacts with your equally impressive ship. Easily the best digital water ever seen in a game, waves swell and foam realistically, and your ship sways depending on the wind and current. Water splashes and rolls around your desk as you sail further out from shore into increasingly choppy waters. Coupled with the impressive lighting and translucent nature of the sea’s surface, it’s often breathtaking. Even after several hours. A technical tour de force from Rare.

An aspect of the studio we haven’t been this impressed with since the days of the Nintendo 64.

Click Here to Read Our Full Sea of Thieves Review