Ahoy there, me hearties! I’ve just embarked on a journey across the treacherous seas in the rogue-lite game, Rogue Waters, and I’m here to share me tale with ye. Rogue Waters, developed by Ice Code Games and published by Tripwire Interactive, casts players as a pirate captain sailing the unpredictable waters in search of treasure and glory. This high-seas adventure combines the elements of procedural generation, pirate lore, and rogue-lite mechanics, making for a unique and engaging experience.
The loop is good
The gameplay loop of Rogue Waters revolves around upgrading your ship, recruiting a varied crew, battling other ships, and fighting different crews on boats and land. Every run starts from your pirate cove where you can recruit new pirates, and upgrade your ship and crew. Afterward, you follow the story or go on side missions to strengthen your boat and crew. If you have played other card-based rogue-lites before, you instantly recognize the mission structure. Where you can choose different paths on the sea, either getting into a fight, finding a shop, or exploring an event that can yield items and crew for the upcoming battles.
Each run is unique, offering new challenges, treasures, and opportunities. Having turn-based combat instead of cards is a refreshing take on the rogue-lite genre, and the execution of it feels really good. That classic one more round feeling with rogue-lite is constant, and very much so because of the turn-based combat.
As you progress through the game, the battles against enemy ships become more challenging, requiring strategic decisions and good timing to emerge victorious. Players can choose to focus on upgrading their ship’s weapons, stern, or hull, depending on their preferred playstyle. Additionally, passengers and crew members hail from a diverse array of backgrounds, each offering unique bonuses and abilities.
A repetitive pirate life
The pirate theme is executed well, immersing players in a world full of intrigue and adventure. It is fun to finally move beyond different fantasy settings into a pirate setting ( I wish more pirate games were made). Everything from the great voice-acting to a soundtrack that feels more pirate-themed than anything I have played for years.
Rogue Waters isn’t without its shortcomings, however. while the procedural generation provides ample replayability, the types and layouts of encounters can become repetitive in lengthy play sessions. Implementing a greater variety of encounters and environmental challenges would ensure that each run remains fresh and engaging. Rogue Waters art style feels amazing at times, with beautiful environments and painted characters, and at times it feels a little too generic for my taste.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rogue Waters is an enchanting and enjoyable rogue-lite experience that successfully immerses players in its pirate theme. There is a solid foundation and potential for future growth making it a title worth keeping an eye on. Whether you’re new to the genre or a seasoned rogue-lite aficionado, Rogue Waters is a pirate’s life worth living for most of the time.
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