Review of Rogue Waters for PlayStation 5

Rogue Waters, developed by Tripwire Presents and Ice Code Games, invites players into a world of turn-based tactical adventures with a mature twist. This roguelite RPG sails into the realm of piracy, adding a sprinkle of the supernatural for good measure. Dive into our review to find out more about this intriguing blend of strategies and sea legends.

In Rogue Waters, you step into the boots of Captain Cutter, a seasoned pirate entangled in a perilous battle for power and revenge. The journey begins at the Temple of the Goddess where Captain Blackbone, your treacherous rival, identifies a tempting treasure. Following his orders to seize it, a strange event unfolds — you hear a mysterious voice, lose an eye to a cursed crystal, and witness blue energy swirling around you. Captain Blackbone’s intentions turn sinister as he demands a knife to extract the stone from your skull, but you have other plans. After a narrow escape, you’re left to rebuild, gather your own crew, and seek retribution against the villainous Blackbone, not to mention navigating a world that has changed in your 14-year absence.

The game offers four distinct difficulty levels: Story, Normal, Hard, and Heroic I, each tailored to different player experiences. Story mode caters to those seeking narrative over challenge, while Normal provides a balanced gameplay. Venturing into Hard will face you against tougher enemies, rewarding a 20% boost in XP, Blueprints, and Glass. The most formidable challenge lies in Heroic I, offering the highest level of difficulty with a lucrative 30% bonus for the bravest pirates.

Combat in Rogue Waters is dynamic, taking place through skirmishes where your crew confronts those daring enough to oppose you. Each confrontation allows a strategic deployment of up to four units. Movement and attacks are key; even bumping enemies can have strategic benefits, pushing them to inflict extra damage. Choosing where and how to strike can turn the tides of battle in your favor.

In the heat of battle, you’ll control a cursor to select units, manage movements up to two cells at a time, and consider buffs or debuffs that might alter your strategy. Look out for tactical advantages on the battlefield, such as ropes allowing extended movement, and gauge filling with fear from additional damage, forcing your foes to retreat when overwhelmed.

After each successful encounter, return to the Region Map to plot your next course. From attacking hostile ships to visiting ports for new equipment or engaging in potentially dangerous events, each node represents a decision that could benefit or challenge your crew’s journey.

While combat is crucial, managing your resources at Pirate’s Cove is equally important. Here, improve your base, assign cannons and modules to your ship, and level up your crew. Using your amassed Glass and blueprints, purchase upgrades and recruit more pirates, each bringing unique skills to your crew’s advantage. This management aspect injects depth into your seafaring adventures, requiring tactical planning both in and out of battles.

Rogue Waters also offers a compelling trophy list, culminating in a coveted Platinum trophy. This list encourages completing major narrative milestones, maxing out various character levels, and investing comprehensively in ship and crew upgrades.

Offering a vivid mix of pirate themes and supernatural elements, Rogue Waters delivers a compelling tactical roguelite experience. As Captain Cutter, you’ll reclaim your life, form a loyal crew, and hunt down Captain Blackbone, seeking justice your way. Available now on PlayStation 5 for $29.99, ready your sails for an epic journey packed with strategic battles and adventurous exploits.

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