Review of Rogue Waters

Rogue Waters invites players into the captivating world of Captain Cutter, an immortal and mischievous pirate navigating a destiny far beyond his imagination. Those familiar with Darkest Dungeon 2 might notice similar features, like the branching map that unfolds at the start of an adventure. However, Rogue Waters quickly develops its distinct identity through its adventurous pirate narrative, thrilling ship-to-ship combat, and a more lenient take on challenges. Originally launched for PC in 2024, this Ice Code Games creation is now also available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

The core gameplay of Rogue Waters is truly engaging. It starts with players in an underwater lair, their base of operations where they can recruit crew members from the tavern, upgrade their ships, and level up characters before heading out on a new adventure. When ready to embark on a raid, players are faced with three choices. One option advances the main story, while the other two offer paths of adventure for additional rewards. Each choice varies in terms of length and difficulty, providing players with valuable information before committing. Should a story raid prove challenging, side raids provide a useful means to gather resources and experience.

As Captain Cutter sails out, players encounter a branching map indicating potential encounters ahead. Decisions on which paths to take—be it battling elite ships, making strategic decisions at shrines, or docking for ship repairs—lie in the hands of the players. Rewards from enemy engagements are visible beforehand, adding a tactical layer to navigation decisions.

The game truly shines during ship-to-ship combat. As players engage enemy vessels, they strategize their cannon fire, targeting specific areas such as modules that increase the enemy’s health or directly attacking crew members or enemy cannons. This adds a strategic depth beyond the standard grid-based combat, making each confrontation feel consequential.

If players manage to eliminate enemy crews before boarding, they enjoy the luxury of victory without setting foot on the rival ship. The tension is ever-present, as opponents are capable of targeting Captain Cutter’s modules, potentially boarding with significant disadvantages like reduced health or fewer crew members. This aspect ensures that every encounter feels distinct.

When boarding, the gameplay mirrors classic tactical combat found in games like XCOM. Positioning is critical, and players can push enemies overboard if engaged correctly. Environmental hazards and benefits, such as fiery planks or health-restoring rum barrels, add an extra layer of strategy, keeping combat dynamic. Captain Cutter’s curse allows summoning sea monsters, like the kraken, during dire situations, providing players with creative combat options.

Rogue Waters features a forgiving side, accommodating players of varying skill levels with 15 different difficulty settings, starting from a Story mode focused on narrative rather than combat. Players can adjust difficulty prior to each raid, balancing increased challenge with greater rewards. Nonetheless, certain game features, like the unlimited “undo” option during boarding combat or the choice to bypass decisions entirely, suggest a tilt towards leniency, occasionally undermining strategic planning.

The narrative of Rogue Waters presents a balance of fun and predictability. Captain Cutter’s story includes expected elements like betrayal and supernatural twists, with a unique element in the game’s mechanics: a curse that grants the crew a form of immortality, allowing them to resurrect in their lair after every defeat. This setup contributes to the overarching mission of liberating captive sea monsters from Captain Blackbone. While the voice acting brings life to the characters, most storytelling is through text, laced with humor and a sense of adventure.

After spending 21 hours on the main story, delving into various raids and toggling difficulties, it became clear that while Rogue Waters might not appeal to everyone, it holds a special charm for genre enthusiasts. It succeeds in crafting a unique swashbuckling adventure, maintaining its own identity while ensuring accessibility with its lenient combat style. For those intrigued by this type of narrative and gameplay, Rogue Waters delivers a distinct and memorable experience.

Currently, Rogue Waters is accessible on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Game Rant reviewed the game on PS5 with a code provided for this review.