Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow E3 2006 Preshow Report

Though Bethesda released a strategy game bearing the Pirates of the Caribbean name back in 2003, it didn't have anything at all to do with Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The publisher behind The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion will be rectifying that soon enough with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow, an action adventure game that puts you right in the shoes of one of the most eccentric bucklers of swash.

Building on the lore established in Black Pearl, The Legend of Jack Sparrow is an action adventure game where you'll hack and slash your way through some of Captain Jack's more memorable exploits. Aside from his salty, sunbaked pirate's swagger, one of his most prominent features has been his gift for embellishment, and through The Legend of Jack Sparrow, you'll get to see how much truth there is behind his claims of sacking Nassau Port without firing a shot or using sea turtles to escape a deserted island.

Though the focus in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow seems to be primarily on cutting loads of enemies to ribbons with your trusty blade, the game promises to mix things up with interactive environments that you can use to give you the upper hand, and you'll also be able to unlock new moves and combos, as well as purchase ability upgrades with the doubloons that you pilfer along the way. Bethesda also hints that the game will feature some light puzzle-solving and stealth elements as you attempt to avoid getting snared in traps or caught by enemies. Never one to get into trouble by himself, Captain Jack Sparrow will also bring the mild-mannered Will Turner in on the action, and you and a friend will be able to play as both characters in the game's co-op mode.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow is being developed for the PlayStation 2 and PC and is currently set for a summer 2006 release, just in time for the theatrical release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.