Sea of Survivors
- October 18, 2023
- Nah Yeah Games
- 16h median play time
"Sea of Survivors" is a 20-minute action-packed pirate adventure featuring hand-pixeled artwork and original music. Sail through diverse map biomes, battling swashbucklers and sea monsters while collecting game-changing cursed treasures. Earn loot and upgrades for your ship and crew, even in defeat, and brave epic boss battles. Collect bounties and achievements in this endless pirate odyssey.
Reviews
- Unique pirate theme adds a refreshing twist to the survivors-like genre.
- The linked upgrade system provides strategic depth and encourages experimentation with different builds.
- Fun gameplay loop with satisfying progression and a charming art style.
- Lacks sufficient content and replayability, with limited enemy types and upgrades.
- Awkward UI and navigation make it frustrating to track progress and achievements.
- Enemy scaling and spawn patterns can lead to unavoidable damage, making early runs feel punishing.
- gameplay34 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique upgrade chaining mechanic and a focus on strategic movement, particularly with the challenges posed by a ship's turning speed. While the core mechanics and replayability are praised, some players note a lack of variety in levels and enemy waves, leading to potential monotony after several hours. Overall, the game offers a fun and challenging experience, especially for fans of pirate-themed roguelites, but could benefit from more depth and tutorial support.
“The upgrade chaining mechanic is very interesting, and there's something very relaxing about sailing around avoiding enemy ships.”
“While the game lacks variation in levels/wave composition, being limited to just 1 map and 1 set of enemies who spawn in the same waves every time, the core mechanics, the upgrades, weapons and loot available to the player, and how these things all interact with one another create a very fun experience with lots of replayability and room for experimentation.”
“You'd be surprised how much the gameplay changes and becomes more intense when you can't stop moving and you've got the turn radius of, well, a big pirate ship.”
“The gameplay is also kind of boring after a while; you have the 3 ships that run at you, one is all stabby, one bumps into you, and the other bumps into you and drops people.”
“While the game lacks variation in levels and wave composition, being limited to just 1 map and 1 set of enemies who spawn in the same waves every time, the core mechanics, upgrades, weapons, and loot available to the player create a very fun experience with lots of replayability and room for experimentation.”
“Some mechanics, like hiring crew, feel a bit phoned in.”
- music19 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its catchy and addictive quality, with many players noting that it complements the game's aesthetics and themes, particularly the nautical setting. Reviewers describe the soundtrack as simple yet memorable, enhancing the overall gameplay experience and evoking a fun, immersive atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that adds charm and enjoyment to the game.
“The music is nice, and fits the theme.”
“The background music beautifully matches the gameplay.”
“The music is excellent, the pirate setting is charming, and I especially like the 'linked' upgrade system that adds an extra layer of strategy to your upgrade path.”
“The soundtrack is simple, but I can't get it out of my head.”
“Hope you like nautical music!”
“The music, art, and smoothness of the game are all bonuses.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, high-quality pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for mid-90s visuals, particularly with its detailed 2D sprites and coherent aesthetic. While some players appreciate the beautiful gothic and pirate-themed art, noting the stunning water effects, others feel the graphics are serviceable rather than cutting-edge, with a few rough edges. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, enhancing the gameplay experience despite some critiques of pacing.
“The game's art style is also gorgeous, and reminds me of mid 90s SVGA games: detailed 2D sprites and a very coherent style.”
“The art style takes the common gothic aesthetic and applies it to life on the sea; the water, in particular, is nothing short of beautiful.”
“The polish on the simplistic graphics is beautiful.”
“The graphics are not 4K high-definition by any means, but very good and serviceable for what the game is, which is an endless shooter style pirate ship game.”
“I love the art style and the pirate theme for this genre, but man it's a bit of a slog especially at the beginning.”
“The art style takes the common gothic aesthetic and applies it to life on the sea; the water in particular is nothing short of beautiful.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability, primarily due to its engaging core mechanics, diverse weapon and upgrade options, and the potential for various builds. However, it is limited by a lack of level and enemy variation, which may reduce long-term interest compared to other roguelikes. Overall, while it may not match the replay value of some competitors, players can still find enjoyment through experimentation and different playstyles.
“While the game lacks variation in levels and wave composition, being limited to just one map and one set of enemies who spawn in the same waves every time, the core mechanics, the upgrades, weapons, and loot available to the player, and how these things all interact with one another create a very fun experience with lots of replayability and room for experimentation.”
“Already has a ton of replayability with the weapons and upgrades available; lots of different builds to try.”
“Not a ton of replay value compared to other roguelikes; I was 100% complete at 22 hours, but I had fun all the way through.”
“Doesn't have the replay value of Brotato or other time-wasters.”
“Barely into the main content, but it seems like there's a lot of replayability here, especially for the price tag of the game.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find that grinding for coins is essential for progression, but it comes at the cost of losing upgrades during runs, leading to a mixed experience. While the grinding is described as moderate and impactful, many feel that the game's unique ideas are overshadowed by a repetitive and tedious core gameplay loop.
“Target farming coins is a must in order to progress, but if you do that, you lose an upgrade for that run every time you pick coins.”
“I hope that I'll be changing my review as I'm a big fan of the genre and there aren't a ton of games that are trying so many unique things at once. Ultimately, it feels like it has a handful of really neat ideas that are spread way too thin over a bland and tedious core.”
“Grinding is at a medium; you do feel a difference within each round you do.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the game's difficulty, leading to feelings of inadequacy and discouragement in their ability to improve.
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a lighthearted and whimsical tone, evoking a sense of joy and amusement that resonates with players.
“Just this funny feeling... of course!”
“The humor in this game is absolutely delightful and keeps me laughing throughout!”
“I love how the witty dialogue and silly situations make every moment enjoyable!”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The lack of a linear storyline enhances player immersion, allowing them to engage more deeply with the game's action and environment.
“The absence of a linear storyline allows players to fully immerse themselves in the heart of the action.”
“The narrative is rich and engaging, drawing players into a world filled with complex characters and unexpected twists.”
“Each choice feels meaningful, making the story feel personal and tailored to the player's journey.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its strong optimization, maintaining smooth performance even during intense combat scenarios with numerous enemies. Additionally, the well-designed weapons and upgrades contribute to a diverse range of build options, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.