Review of “Rogue Waters” on PlayStation 5

Rogue Waters, crafted by Tripwire Presents and Ice Code Games, sails us into a Rated M for Mature adventure, blending turn-based tactical elements with a roguelite RPG flair and a touch of the supernatural. Dive in and uncover more in our Rogue Waters review!

Meet Captain Cutter, a pirate entrenched in a violent quest for power and revenge. Your journey kicks off at the Temple of the Goddess, where Captain Blackbone’s treasure hunt takes an unexpected twist. As you obey his command to seize a mystical treasure, things take a strange turn—you begin to hear voices in your mind, and in a startling betrayal by the crystal, you lose an eye as its blue energy envelops you. Captain Blackbone’s anger is palpable, and he demands a knife to remove the stone from your head, but you refuse to back down. You make your daring escape, thrust into a world that has moved on in your 14-year absence. Alone, you must amass a formidable crew and stand against the treacherous Captain Blackbone who double-crossed you.

Setting out on your journey, you can select from four difficulty levels: Story, Normal, Hard, and Heroic I. The Story mode is ideal for those who prioritize narrative over punishing gameplay, with less intense adversaries. Conversely, Normal delivers a balanced experience, with a slight 10% bonus for XP, Blueprints, and Glass. Hard mode ups the ante, with fiercer foes granting a 20% bonus. Finally, Heroic I challenges even the most seasoned players, offering a 30% reward bonus.

In Rogue Waters, anticipate numerous skirmishes as you navigate the high seas. Battles pit your pirate team against adversaries, with each side taking turns. Victory requires defeating all enemies, utilizing moves and attacks wisely. Tactics play a significant role, as pushing enemies strategically can deal extra damage. Deploy up to four units, choosing positions and strategies wisely. The controls are intuitive, allowing camera adjustments and movement with ease. Each unit can prepare for incoming attacks by applying armor or healing, adding depth to combat scenarios.

You’ll return to the Region Map post-battle, charting your course to new destinations. These nodes, akin to those in familiar roguelites, can vary from hostile encounters to ports for upgrades, adding layers of strategy to your journey.

High-seas battles require strategic deployment of Command Points (CP) and choice of cannon fire, with the size of the enemy ship impacting CP usage. Possible tactics include targeting enemy cannons or crew for a head start on boarding skirmishes. Raids offer an opportunity to utilize your crew and mythical sea beasts like the Kraken, turning the tide of battle in your favor.

Pirate’s Cove serves as a hub for upgrading your ship, crewmates, and even expanding your pirate network. Resources gathered can be spent on enhancing your ship’s capabilities or recruiting new pirates, with Glass being a particularly valuable asset for obtaining blueprints and recruiting allies. Each crew member has a specific skill set, lending variety and depth to the strategic gameplay.

The game is loaded with trophies, including a sought-after Platinum, achieved by completing challenges such as finishing acts across varying difficulties, maximizing crew levels, and upgrading every aspect of your pirate operation.

Rogue Waters is a captivating blend of pirate lore and roguelite strategy, wrapped in supernatural elements. As Captain Cutter, you embark on a thrilling revenge quest against Captain Blackbone. Your journey across the seas, gathering allies and uncovering powerful relics, crafts an enthralling tale of vengeance and adventure. Available now on PlayStation 5 for $29.99.

This review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Tripwire Presents.