PIRATE RUN Guide: Tips for Every Stage and Boss
Play PIRATE RUN free: a 3D pirate run-and-gun game with 10 stages, giant bosses and the Kraken. Single player, online multiplayer coming soon, PC and mobile, no download.
Captain Blackbone and his cursed crew have stolen the islands' treasure, and only two pirates are brave enough to get it back. PIRATE RUN is a side-scrolling action game in the spirit of classic arcade run-and-gun games, rebuilt in 3D for the browser. You run, jump and throw across pirate ships, island villages and dark caves, collecting power-ups and fighting a boss at the end of every stage. Everything runs in your browser – nothing to download, no account, and it works on phones, tablets and PCs.
Which hero should you choose?
- Barbarossa – the heavy hitter. He moves a little slower, but every throw does double damage and travels further. A good pick for beginners because bosses go down faster.
- Anne – the quick one. She runs faster and throws much more often, each hit doing less damage. In expert hands she is the stronger choice, because speed is what keeps you alive on HARD.
Stage-by-stage guide
1. The Pirate Fleet
A line of moored pirate ships at sunset. Jump from deck to deck and take down the Flagship at the end.
2. Stormy Seas
A dark, stormy night at sea. The boss is the Black Galleon, a huge warship.
3. Pirate Village
A sandy island village. At the end waits Big Bertha, a giant cannon.
4. Skull Cave
A dark cave with flying enemies and the Cursed Skull boss.
5. Ship Deck
A battle on deck against the Ghost Ship.
6. Jungle Sawmill
Jungle paths with deep pits – look before you jump. Boss: the Skeleton King.
7. Shark Reef
Islands and open water. Boss: Mako the Mighty.
8. Harbor Docks
Wooden docks and bridges over the sea. Boss: Sharky the Butcher.
9. Skull Island
The pirates' fortress and its Bone Gate.
10. Kraken's Lair
The final battle against the Kraken.
Top tips
- Keep moving. Most enemy shots are aimed at where you are, not where you are going.
- Aim diagonally. Holding up + forward lets you hit rooftop enemies and flying foes without jumping into their fire.
- Duck to dodge. Many cannonballs and bullets fly at chest height – pressing down makes you a much smaller target.
- Drop through platforms with down + jump when a platform gets crowded.
- Protect your power-ups. When you lose a life you go back to the basic throw, so play a little more carefully right after picking one up.
- Learn boss patterns on EASY first, then switch to MEDIUM or HARD for a higher score.
- Bosses telegraph their big attacks – watch for the wind-up, dodge, then punish.
Ready? Play PIRATE RUN now – it's free and runs in your browser.