Rogue Waters

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In "Rogue Waters" , set sail as Captain Cutter, a pirate seeking revenge and legendary treasure. Each run offers new encounters, requiring careful navigation and strategic ship upgrades. Assemble your crew from six unique classes, and lead them into battle as you unravel a story of loyalty, betrayal, and immortal enemies across three acts.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 247 reviews

story11 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Engaging and fun tactical combat with unique mechanics like pushing enemies and summoning sea monsters.
Great visuals, voice acting, and a charming pirate theme that enhances the overall experience.
The game offers a satisfying progression system with a variety of crew members and upgrades, keeping players invested.

Lacks content depth and variety, leading to repetitive gameplay after a few hours.
Ship combat can feel RNG-heavy, making it frustrating when luck determines the outcome of battles.
The game may feel short and limited in replayability once the main story is completed, with few incentives to continue playing.

story
69 mentions
16 % positive mentions
80 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and well-paced, while others criticize it as predictable and lacking depth. Many appreciate the voice acting and the integration of story elements with gameplay mechanics, but some feel that the narrative leaves loose ends and could benefit from further development. Overall, while the story provides a fun backdrop for the gameplay, it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more robust narrative experience.
- “The story was compelling, and the game did a good job of introducing new mechanics and characters at a decent pace.”
- “It truly captures some pretty cool vibes with the setting and music in the background; I actually enjoy the storyline and voice lines of the characters in the game.”
- “Combine elements of Pirates of the Caribbean's story and humor (including the giant mythical sea creatures), great voice acting, a whole heaping spoonful of turn-based tactics, and you have one heck of a fun game!”
- “The story didn’t engage me at all (and I love pirates!).”
- “Other than that glaring issue, the story is very weak, and when you get over the intrinsic fun of the system mechanics, there's not much to keep you playing.”
- “It has a very basic story and it focuses primarily on its sandbox aspect.”
gameplay
67 mentions
39 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received a generally positive reception, with many praising its engaging combat mechanics and innovative features like the push mechanic, which adds a unique twist to turn-based strategy. However, some players noted the campaign's brevity and a lack of depth in mechanics, leading to a repetitive experience over time. Overall, while the core gameplay loop is addictive and well-executed, there are calls for more content and complexity to enhance longevity.
- “The combat mechanics are incredibly engaging, allowing for strategic planning and exciting encounters with each battle.”
- “The gameplay loop has 3 parts: 1) upgrades, 2) ship to ship combat, 3) crew combat.”
- “The tutorial/prologue does an incredible job illustrating the uniqueness of the mechanics and combat.”
- “Once you've figured out the mechanics, there doesn't seem to be much different from game to game.”
- “This game is super repetitive and the gameplay loop, in my opinion, is just boring. I have Netflix on my second monitor just to keep myself entertained, and it got to the point where I had to ask myself, 'Why am I playing?'”
- “It is the main gameplay loop, and for that, it is too simple for my taste.”
graphics
22 mentions
64 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their charm and execution of the pirate theme, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning visuals, smooth animations, and immersive sound design. While some voice acting quality is noted as inconsistent, the overall aesthetic is considered visually pleasing and well-crafted, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere. However, a few critiques mention that the graphics, while good, do not stand out significantly and could benefit from more content.
- “The visuals are great and the pirate theme is executed perfectly.”
- “I loved the stunning visuals—the scenes are beautifully crafted—and the sound design really pulls you in.”
- “The graphics are great, the music very pirate-y, and the whole game feels polished.”
- “The graphics are alright and easy to comprehend but nothing to write home about.”
- “Other than that, there's the art style: it's a matter of taste, but I don't like it.”
- “Great voice acting, good graphics...severe lack of content though.”
grinding
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while the game has a solid core experience, it quickly becomes grindy and monotonous, with players reaching max power too fast and feeling compelled to farm for upgrades without significant changes in gameplay. Some find the grinding to be excessive and tedious, particularly in ship combat, while others describe it as manageable but simplistic. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game may not be worth the time investment unless purchased at a discount.
- “You've seen the entire game in 2-3 hours, then it's just a matter of grinding out the rest.”
- “There is a great core game here, but it unfortunately gets too grindy and monotonous rather quickly.”
- “Feels stupidly grindy even at first glance, and I just cannot force myself to put in some long hours to farm and build up the passives/upgrades to be able to enjoy the game.”
replayability
8 mentions
75 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers significant replayability, particularly for fans of turn-based and roguelike genres, with many players appreciating the random elements and fresh ideas that enhance the experience. While some users express a desire for more structured replay options, the game's addictive nature and potential for varied gameplay keep players engaged. Many reviewers highlight it as a standout in its category, suggesting a solid foundation for future expansions or sequels.
- “As an old-school XCOM fan, there are so many ideas I find really fresh and very replayable. Here's hoping for a sequel with a bigger budget; great game!”
- “Best replayable pirate game since Sid Meier's.”
- “Very addictive, loads of replayability.”
- “A lot of things are random, which is annoying for turn-based games. However, after proper development of your team, ship, etc., the game becomes much more playable.”
- “Post-game replayability is lacking.”
music
7 mentions
71 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, particularly during naval battles and immersive settings. While it may not be particularly memorable, it complements the game's aesthetics and voice acting effectively, contributing to a polished and engaging environment.
- “Music and artistic elements are definitely a plus.”
- “Otherwise aesthetics, voice over, music are top notch!”
- “The sound effects during naval battles, the ambient music, and even the voices of crew members all added to the immersive experience.”
atmosphere
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by vibrant animations, a campy yet engaging pirate theme, and strong voice work that enhances the experience. While the music is enjoyable, it lacks memorability, but the overall sense of adventure, character depth, and innovative mechanics contribute to a compelling and immersive environment. Players appreciate the lively and gritty portrayal of pirate life, making for a fun and atmospheric gaming experience.
- “The animations are great, the atmosphere of the game has a delightful touch of campiness and colorful characters, and overall it is fun being a pirate.”
- “The gritty, pirate atmosphere really came to life, and I found the voice work to be top-notch.”
- “What a pirate game experience, truly atmospheric by way of the personalities within the game.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, drawing comparisons to the whimsical storytelling and comedic elements of "Pirates of the Caribbean," enhanced by great voice acting and engaging rogue-like gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of humor with tactical gameplay, leading to memorable and entertaining experiences.
- “As long as you know what you're getting into, I think you'll have fun with the humor and theme.”
- “Combine elements of Pirates of the Caribbean's story and humor (including the giant mythical sea creatures), great voice acting, a whole heaping spoonful of turn-based tactics, add in satisfying rogue-like elements, and you have one heck of a fun game!”
- “I have a crew and I have funny stories about them at this point.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including freezing when all pirates are stunned by fishermen, along with numerous bugs and glitches that affect overall gameplay.
- “When all pirates are stunned by fishermen, the game also freezes.”
- “But I also have to say a warning: there are still a bunch of bugs and glitches in this game.”
optimization
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized for the Steam Deck, offering smooth performance and intuitive control bindings that enhance the overall gaming experience on the platform.
- “It runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, with great, intuitive control bindings, making it a perfect fit for the platform.”