Review of Rogue Waters for PlayStation 5

Tripwire Presents and Ice Code Games are diving into the pirate life with Rogue Waters, a tactical roguelite RPG loaded with a supernatural twist. Brace yourself for a Rated M for Mature experience as we explore our impressions of the game!

To start, the game draws you into the world of Captain Cutter, a pirate in a fierce battle for power and revenge. The story kicks off as you and the notorious Captain Blackbone reach the Temple of the Goddess in pursuit of mythical treasure. However, the moment you lay your hands on it, things take a wild turn. You start hearing mysterious voices, lose an eye to a glowing blue crystal, and suddenly, Blackbone is not your friend anymore. He wants that stone off your face, but you’re not going to make it easy for him. After a daring escape, you’re left to fend for yourself. Now, assembling a new crew becomes your top priority as you plot to overthrow Blackbone – a task complicated by the fact you’ve been resurrected into a world that’s moved on after fourteen long years.

As you set sail on this adventure, Rogue Waters presents you with four difficulty levels: Story, Normal, Hard, and Heroic I. Story mode caters to those more interested in the narrative, making enemies less of a threat. The Normal setting strikes a balanced challenge, offering extra bonuses for XP, Blueprints, and Glass. Hard mode intensifies the gameplay with tougher foes, giving you greater rewards for tackling the challenge. Then there’s Heroic I, for true strategists seeking an intense experience with the highest rewards and difficulty loops to push skills to the limit.

The heart of combat in Rogue Waters lies in skirmishes, where strategy, positioning, and resilience come into play. Battles unfold in turns, allowing your crew and the enemy to make calculated moves. Units can perform basic attacks, pushing foes to deal extra damage, and the game mechanics let you exploit this to your advantage. Strategic placement and the clever use of each unit’s abilities are key to victory.

Before each clash, you’ll deploy your units, picking their battle positions wisely. Navigating the battlefield is seamless, with intuitive controls that let you direct your crew’s actions smoothly. Units can move a set number of cells, sometimes more if you exploit buffs or avoid debuffs. Each crew member can also prepare for an enemy’s advance by bracing themselves, recovering health, and gaining temporary armor. Look out for interactive objects like ropes that grant extra movement options, adding layers to your tactical approach.

Outside of battles, the Region Map is your compass in the vast pirate world. Choose from various nodes – be they hostile encounters, trading ports, or unpredictable event nodes – each branching your path forward in classic roguelite style. Engage in sea battles to close in on enemy ships, carefully spending Command Points to fire cannons or decide critical skirmishes.

The Pirate’s Cove serves as your base, where you can expand and customize your ship and crew. Investing in the shipyard and quarters yields long-term benefits, enhancing abilities and unlocking new features aligned with your play style. Glass, a special resource, is valuable for upgrades and recruiting new allies under your flag.

For trophy hunters, Rogue Waters offers a comprehensive list culminating in a coveted Platinum. Your journey to this achievement involves completing story arcs, maximizing character levels, and mastering ship and crew upgrades among other feats.

A fresh and intriguing addition to the gaming landscape, Rogue Waters stands out with its blend of turn-based tactics and the allure of pirate legends. Its supernatural elements enrich the narrative, inviting players into a world of epic escapes, strategic warfare, and endless adventure. Available now on PlayStation 5 for $29.99, it’s a voyage worth embarking on.

This review of Rogue Waters was drawn from a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Tripwire Presents.