The album received mostly positive reviews.
Blabbermouth.net said the album "Pirates begins with a wonderful showcase for the whole band's talents. Modestly epic but blessed with a lethal chorus, it designates the sweet spot where Visions of Atlantis feel most potent: big tunes, plenty of bombast and grandeur and occasional hints of something deeper and more atmospheric shimmering away at the fringes", giving the album an 8 out of 10.[3]
The Metal Protocol stated "Pirates certainly puts their vocals to maximum use. A number of the songs put the vocals front and center, with the band largely sitting in the background. Not a bad thing on those ballads and signature moments with the use of 2 ultra talented vocalists up front", giving the album an 8.5 out of 10.[1]
Metal-Rules said of the album, "Melody is the foundation these tunes are built upon, and the album flows naturally and logically from track to track like scenes from a movie. There are moments of sheer headbanging glory complete with anthemic hook laden sing-along choruses followed by sense-tingling melancholic moody passages", giving the album a perfect 5 out of 5.[4]
