Review of Rogue Waters for PlayStation 5

Rogue Waters, a fresh offering from Tripwire Presents and Ice Code Games, invites players into a dark, mature-rated world filled with tactical, turn-based battles and a hint of the supernatural. In this roguelite RPG, you’ll dive headfirst into the uncharted realm of piracy. Let’s explore what makes this game a standout in our Rogue Waters review.

Before you set sail, check out the enticing promise of adventure in the game’s trailer (a simple age verification may be required). In Rogue Waters, you become Captain Cutter, a pirate embroiled in a bitter struggle for revenge and dominance. Your quest begins with a heist at the Temple of the Goddess, where Captain Blackbone’s greed sets a series of supernatural events in motion. A mysterious voice echoes in your mind, and a strange blue energy seeps from a crystal, costing you an eye. Blackbone is far from impressed and demands a gruesome solution, but you manage to evade, now lone and in need of a new crew to bring justice to his betrayal. Awakening after a fourteen-year absence, the world you knew has changed dramatically.

Ready to embark on this epic journey? You can adjust the challenge to your preference: Story, Normal, Hard, or the truly punishing Heroic I. Story mode is perfect if you’re here for an engaging narrative without the stress of tough combat. For a balanced experience, Normal offers fair opponents and a 10% boost in resources like XP and Blueprints. Hard raises the stakes with fiercer foes and a 20% bonus in rewards. Heroic I is for seasoned players who thrive on challenges, rewarding a 30% bonus and paving the way for further difficulty enhancements.

Throughout your adventures, prepare for numerous skirmishes. These tactical duels pit your pirate crew against adversaries daring to cross you. Each round sees alternating turns between you and your foes, and victory depends on eliminating all opponents. Every unit can move and attack, with regular attacks inflicting steady damage that pushes enemies back for potential extra impact. Terrain and positioning add strategic depth, allowing you to bump enemies against each other (or against obstacles) for added damage.

When starting a skirmish, choose up to four of your units to head into battle, controlling them with precision and tactics. You can survey the battlefield, zoom in for close-ups, and plan your moves carefully. Movement is generally limited to a couple of cells per turn, subject to buffs and debuffs.

Pirate encounters come with a Prepare ability, letting units bolster defenses and heal minor wounds. Environmental objects, like ropes, can provide temporary movement boosts, while defeating enemies or exceeding damage thresholds will generate fear, potentially causing foes to retreat.

After vanquishing your enemies, steer through the Region Map to your next destination, akin to selecting nodes on a classic roguelite map. Here, you plot a course littered with encounters, including hostile vessels, ports for resupplying, event challenges, and raid targets.

Engagements with enemy ships require strategic use of Command Points (CP) to maneuver and unleash your cannons. Choose your artillery wisely based on range and damage potential. Enemy intentions are indicated by red markers, providing insight into their strategies. Larger ships present formidable challenges but promise substantial rewards. In raids, unleash the might of legendary sea monsters, such as the Kraken, to dominate the battlefield.

Your base, Pirate’s Cove, is the heart of your activities. Allocate resources here to improve ship facilities and crew capabilities. The shipyard allows upgrades like amping up Cutter’s health, while the quarters provide options to manage and level up your crew using earned XP. Besides gold, Glass—a rare and valuable commodity—plays a crucial role in enhancing your ship, the cove, and commanding creatures of the sea. Recruit new pirates with care as each one brings unique skills for roguelite-style adaptability.

For trophy hunters, Rogue Waters offers a rich collection worthy of pursuit, culminating in a coveted Platinum. Objectives range from completing the main storyline to maxing out various character levels and acquiring all possible upgrades.

As Captain Cutter, your path to vengeance is treacherous and deeply personal. The betrayal by Captain Blackbone must be avenged at any cost. Utilize your growing crew, the loot you gather, and the mythical sea creatures bound to your cause. Available now on PlayStation 5 for $29.99, Rogue Waters promises an adventure dripping with danger and supernatural intrigue.

In summary, Rogue Waters combines roguelite mechanics with the allure of a pirate’s life and supernatural elements, delivering a thrilling RPG experience. Returning from a betraying captain’s clutches and a fourteen-year slumber, the journey to avenge teaches not just new piracy tricks but also the relentless spirit of survival. Happy sailing!

Note: This review was based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Tripwire Presents.