While Pirates of the Caribbean offers a gameplay style that lets you go where you want and do anything you like, it also contains a compelling main story that serves as the foundation for the game.

In Pirates of the Caribbean, you assume the role of a freelance Captain who becomes caught in a struggle for power in the 17th century. At the start of the game, you witness French forces invading an English island. Sailing away to avoid harm, you set course for a nearby English colony to inform the English Governor of the bad news.

Upon reaching the island, the English Governor decides to enlist you to infiltrate the captured island as a spy for the English to see what you can discover about the French invasion force and their future plans. Thus begins your adventure.

If you decide to follow the main quest line and sail back to the invaded island on the Governor's orders, you will soon find yourself embroiled in a power struggle between governments, pirates, merchants, and fortune-seekers. Amidst the turmoil you will find the root of the conflict lies with legend of an unbelievable treasure hidden in a secret island cache.

A priceless and magical ruby artifact on a hidden island somewhere in the Caribbean is believed to have the power to tip the balance of power in favor of whoever possesses it.

During the game you will encounter a mysterious treasure map that needs to be translated and when you find an eccentric inventor that can translate it for you, it is revealed that the artifact you seek is on a lost island that no one has seen for many years.