Tripwire Presents and Ice Code Games have teamed up to deliver Rogue Waters, a mature-rated turn-based tactical roguelite RPG that sails into the world of pirates mingled with supernatural elements. Captain Cutter is your persona as you embark on this gripping adventure in Rogue Waters, filled with power struggles and retaliation. As the narrative unfolds at the Temple of the Goddess, you find yourself under Captain Blackbone’s orders to seize a coveted treasure. In a twist of fate, you start hearing a mysterious voice and lose an eye when a blue energy-emitting crystal becomes part of you. This doesn’t sit well with Captain Blackbone, who is intent on removing the stone, prompting you to flee and set out on your journey to form a crew and challenge Blackbone himself. After returning to life after 14 years, you’ll notice a changed world as you adapt to it.
The game offers four difficulty levels: Story, Normal, Hard, and Heroic I. The Story mode is ideal for those wanting a more narrative-focused experience with less aggressive foes. Normal levels up the challenge slightly and grants a 10% bonus on XP, Blueprints, and Glass. Hard mode sets fierce enemies in your path, rewarding you with a 20% bonus, while Heroic I is for those who seek a real test, offering a 30% bonus and inviting you to unlock further intensified challenges.
As Captain Cutter, you will lead your crew in countless skirmishes against those daring enough to stand in your way. Each skirmish round allows for a single move from both sides, with the ultimate goal being to vanquish your enemies. Units can maneuver and attack, producing consistent, albeit low, damage that can push enemy units back, possibly causing further injury. Even if not defeated, these units will attempt to move back unless strategically managed.
In combat, you’ll deploy up to four units, selecting their positions before activating the “Fight” function by holding the Triangle button. The skirmishes are navigated via a cursor directed with your controller’s left stick, allowing for mobility and combat maneuvering. The right stick offers a broader view of the battlefield, enhancing movement comprehension, which can be altered by conditions on the field.
Prepare abilities provide an edge in battle by reducing damage, healing, and increasing armor for a turn. Strategic positioning is vital, as taking advantage of objects like ropes can allow for tactical advancement across the battlefield. Victory is achieved by either defeating your foes or filling the fear gauge, prompting their retreat.
After battles, you navigate the Region Map, determining your next strategic move among various nodes. These include enemy ships to plunder, ports for purchasing gear, dicey event nodes, or raid opportunities. Confrontations with enemy ships transition into sea battles. Command Points (CP) facilitate actions, including firing cannons at your foes, while considering cannon type and placement based on damage potential and range. The enemy’s intentions are revealed through red markers, dictating the threat level, especially from larger ships that possess greater CP.
Pirate’s Cove serves as your hub, where resources enhance facilities and strengthen your ship. The Shipyard allows adjustments in weaponry and ship modules, and the Quarters are where you manage your crew and gain level benefits from XP. In addition to cash for purchases, Glass emerges as a crucial asset for ship, cove, and sea creature upgrades or to recruit new crew members. Crew units boast unique skill sets amid randomly assigned skill trees, enhancing gameplay variability, a hallmark of roguelites.
Trophy hunters will find excitement in the full trophy list, featuring a Platinum trophy alongside 2 Bronze, 8 Silver, and 8 Gold trophies, achievable through story progress and maxing out character and feature levels.
Rogue Waters crafts a unique blend of pirate elements with supernatural undercurrents in a tactical RPG setting. Engaging battles, crew management, and strategic upgrades come together for a compelling experience on PlayStation 5, priced at $29.99. You’re invited to lead your crew “against the current,” bringing Captain Blackbone’s tyranny to an end one battle at a time.
The impressions in this review are based on a copy of Rogue Waters for the PlayStation 5, kindly provided by Tripwire Presents.
