Discovering Rogue Waters: A Tactical Roguelite Adventure
Rogue Waters introduces players to the captivating saga of Captain Cutter, an immortal pirate whose adventures exceed all expectations. This tactical turn-based roguelite, reminiscent of Darkest Dungeon 2, features a dynamic branching map that marks the beginning of each voyage. However, Ice Code Games ensures that Rogue Waters establishes its unique flair through an engaging narrative, thrilling ship-to-ship confrontations, and a more lenient take on combat encounters. Originally launched for PC in 2024, this immersive experience is now accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Engaging Gameplay Mechanics
At the heart of Rogue Waters lies its compelling gameplay loop. Players commence their journey in an underwater sanctuary, a hub where they can recruit a diverse crew from the tavern, enhance their vessel, and upgrade character skills before embarking on their adventures. Upon preparing to set sail, players face a raid selection screen with three options. While one selection advances the overarching narrative, the others present thrilling opportunities for exploration and treasure hunting, varying in both length and complexity. This design encourages players to undertake side raids to gather essential resources and experience points (XP) should they struggle with the primary storyline.
Navigating the Journey
As Captain Cutter navigates the ocean, players encounter a branching map that illustrates potential challenges ahead. With choices aplenty, they can confront elite vessels, pay visits to shrines that prompt strategic decisions, or dock at ports for repairs at a cost. With numerous adversarial ships along their chosen paths, players can preview potential rewards from defeated foes, aiding them in determining their tactical direction.
Dynamic Ship-to-Ship Combat
The true excitement of Rogue Waters emerges during ship-to-ship confrontations. Encountering an enemy vessel triggers engaging combat mechanics, where players strategically deploy cannons to target specific modules or crew members, significantly impacting the battle’s outcome. For example, targeting an enemy ship’s upgraded cabins can diminish their health advantage, while knocking out their cannons can mitigate damage to your own craft. These strategic decisions provide a refreshing twist that distinguishes the combat system from traditional grid-based formats.
Should players eliminate the enemy crew before boarding, they gain an immediate edge, continuing their journey without additional conflict. However, the stakes remain high; opponents can impose damage on Captain Cutter’s advantageous modules, potentially reducing the effectiveness of his own crew during boarding actions. Each encounter is crafted to feel distinctive and thrilling.
Mastering the Boarding Phase
Following initial combat rounds, as ships close the gap, players are prompted to board the rival vessel. Here, Rogue Waters adopts a tactical approach reminiscent of strategy games like XCOM. Combat unfolds on a grid-based layout, where clever positioning and weapon utilization reign supreme. Players can execute dramatic moves, such as pushing foes overboard during engagements at the ship’s edge.
The battlefield is also strewn with hazards, from fiery planks to treacherous spikes, while environmental elements, such as rum barrels for healing, can be tactically exploited. Captain Cutter’s dark abilities allow him to summon sea monsters, including the kraken, to turn the tide in desperate situations. This blend of tactics and environmental strategies keeps each boarding phase invigorating.
A Leeway for All Players
Iced Code Games has designed Rogue Waters to be accessible for players across the spectrum of skill levels, featuring 15 distinct difficulty settings. The lowest, aptly titled “Story, ”emphasizes narrative over challenge, allowing players to delve into Captain Cutter’s exploits more leisurely. Additionally, players can adjust difficulty levels before each raid, with increased challenges accompanied by enhanced rewards. While these features promote inclusivity, some design choices may dilute the overall challenge of the game.
One notable mechanic allows players to utilize an “undo”option during the boarding phase, enabling them to revert moves made in error. While this can enhance playability, it also risks devaluing tactical decision-making by allowing players to manipulate entire turns without repercussions. Similarly, while exploring islands and making choices like sacrificing crew members for gold or healing, players can choose to sail away without committing to a decision, rendering the scenario somewhat inconsequential.
Narrative Strengths and Weaknesses
The narrative arc of Rogue Waters delivers a blend of mundane tropes and engaging twists. Capturing the essence of pirate lore, it unfolds with elements of betrayal, cunning feats, and supernatural flair. Notably, the story intertwines with gameplay mechanics, as Captain Cutter and his crew are granted immortality by a curse, allowing them to respawn in their lair upon demise. Their quest focuses on liberating ancient sea monsters confined by the nefarious Captain Blackbone.
While voice acting amplifies character portrayal, players should anticipate a degree of reading to fully comprehend the story, as much is conveyed through text. Nevertheless, the narrative’s humor and adventurous tone provide charm, despite certain emotional beats feeling somewhat exaggerated. On average, players may spend around 21 hours completing the main storyline, adjusting difficulty settings and indulging in supplementary raids along the way.
Is Rogue Waters Right for You?
For genre enthusiasts intrigued by a spirited narrative and dynamic gameplay, Rogue Waters offers a genuinely unique gaming experience. It adeptly weaves inspirations from traditional tactical combat and roguelite mechanics while maintaining its distinct identity, making it a tempting choice for players of various skill levels. This blend of accessibility and engaging gameplay positions Rogue Waters as an exciting addition to the gaming landscape.
Rogue Waters is currently available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Review code was graciously provided by Game Rant for this evaluation.
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