Hidden Depths in a Sea of Potential
Taking a deep dive into the indie title that’s making a splash with fewer than a hundred voices singing its praise.
last updated Nov 30, 2023
While the gameplay presents a few rough waves and the graphics occasionally show their indie pedigree, the innovative spirit and dedication to craft present in this game shine like a beacon in the fog.
Button Mashing or Strategic Bashing?
Gameplay is where this title either swims or sinks, and fortunately, it's got a decent breaststroke. Offering a mix of intuitive controls and clever mechanics that have players calculating their every move, the game manages to keep things interesting. It's a refreshing change from the usual run-and-gun approach, with strategic layering that rewards both quick reflexes and a sharp mind. While the combat system is a treasure, it sometimes feels like navigating a tempestuous sea, as difficulty spikes can send you to a watery grave without much warning. Still, these moments are like the occasional rogue wave – thrilling if not entirely welcomed.
Soothing Waves or Cacophony of Screams?
Dive headfirst into the auditory ocean, and you'll find a mix that can go from serene to startling faster than a startled squid. The soundtrack flexes its compositional muscles, with melodies that can both soothe the savage beast or rile up the kraken within. Sound effects are a swashbuckler's dream, with clanging swords and mystic runes that sound as they should. At times though, the audio balance feels like it's lost at sea, and the lack of voice acting can leave you craving the sound of human (or non-human) connection. Yet, the overall audio experience stays afloat, proving that you don't always need a siren's call to make an impact.
Pixel Paradise or Graphical Ghost Ship?
Graphics and performance in this indie title are a bit like finding a map to a hidden treasure; it's not what everyone might value, but those who do will adore it. The art style is a carefully curated museum of pixel art, with details that shine like doubloons in the sunlight. The game looks good on a variety of rigs, making it accessible to both the crew of the Black Pearl and those rowing their tiny dinghies. However, set sail on higher seas (aka higher resolutions), and you may occasionally encounter the digital equivalent of scurvy – frame drops and stuttering. These are only minor blemishes on an otherwise pristine canvas, and don't overly mar the visual voyage.
The Little Title That Could?
Innovation is a tricky sloop to navigate, especially for smaller indie developers who don't have the Spanish treasure fleet's budget. Yet, this game manages to unfurl its sails with unique features that can't be found on the larger, more generic galleons sailing the gaming seas. The crafting system is more refined than Blackbeard's taste for rum, and the lore is so rich it could pay off the national debt of a small island nation. It's evident that the developers have poured their heart and soul into creating a living, breathing world, albeit a world that could use a little more polish and a few more patches to patch up the leaks.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Auroch Digital
Publisher
Focus Entertainment
Release Date
May 23, 2023
Verdict and Summary
This indie title, sitting shyly under a hundred reviews, is like a rare pearl; not flawless, but inherently valuable. While the gameplay presents a few rough waves and the graphics occasionally show their indie pedigree, the innovative spirit and dedication to craft present in this game shine like a beacon in the fog. It's easy to see that with a bit more time in the development drydock, this could be a title to walk the plank for. For now, it makes a solid case for why sometimes the best treasures come in small, unassuming chests.
