If I see the word “roguelite” appear in the description of a game I’m reviewing, it usually causes me a little panic. They aren’t my usual go to, but it’s a genre that seems to be enjoying never-ending popularity, with umpteen available on the Xbox Store. Still, open mind eh?
Ship of Fools takes place in the Archipelago, an area which is under threat from a storm much worse than your usual kind. In fact, the aforementioned weather front brings malice and corruption thus earning the nickname “Aquapocalypse”, which all sounds rather sinister. Thankfully then, the unlikely band of heroes known as the Fools are on hand to fight back.
They are able to navigate the vast oceans thanks to The Stormstrider, their trusty vessel which can be upgraded in several ways. This is where the roguelite element comes in, because progression is carried over for future runs. In theory, this makes each one easier and allows the player to go deeper into the game. So, how does it all work?
You begin your journey at The Great Lighthouse, which acts as the hub area. It’s here where you’ll be able to purchase upgrades for your vessel, alongside upgrading weapons, unlocking new loot and much more. To do this, you’ll need to acquire tendrils whilst out on your travels to exchange with the many different traders. It just so happens that these odd characters are lost at sea themselves, so you’ll need to bring them back before they can set up shop.
When you’re ready to begin your run, simply stepping onto The Stormstrider and setting sail will get things started. You’ll need to successfully navigate different seas, each with their own risks and rewards. As you arrive in each area the map will reveal itself, offering you several different options on how to get from one side to the other. But all the while the everlasting storm will creep towards you, spreading out after every few turns.
Every step you take lands you on a hexagonal space, and this usually triggers a battle. Many of the spaces on the “board” (if you like) carry symbols which represent different items up for grabs, or special places to visit such as merchant islands. Ship of Fools offers you constant decision making dilemmas, and I met a grisly end several times by chasing after loot for just a little too long.
This is because the seas are full of nasty creatures looking to turn your fine vessel into driftwood. Whether it’s huge spider crabs or flying explosive owls, there’s a fantastic variety of critters which all behave very differently, posing quite a challenge when mixed groups of them pop up.
You’re equipped with two cannons, and if playing solo one will be set to autopilot leaving you free to man the other. There are all sorts of weird and wonderful ammo types to load them with too. Your ship has four interchangeable spaces to move your cannons to as enemies will approach from both port and starboard sides. Ship of Fools does offer co-op play both locally and online with friends, which is great fun.
Still, playing solo is just as much fun in Ship of Fools; and that is no mean feat. This is partly thanks to the sheer variety of your runs. You can find and equip over 100 trinkets and artefacts that will offer different buffs for your Fool and their weapons. For example, increased cannon damage, projectile speed and chance of a critical hit are but a few.
Your ship has a health bar (in the form of wooden planks) and extra protection can be gained through attaching shields to The Stormstrider. Sand Dollars can also be plundered and then spent on various items. Your cannon also has a harpoon function which requires special ammo, and allows you to retrieve loot that is dropped in the water. You can target exactly what you need by studying the map and heading for the right symbol.
Otherwise there are many other secrets of the sea to discover as you chart your route across. However, you will inevitably meet the everlasting storm and trigger that area’s boss battle. A huge leviathan will surface kicking off a battle for survival against the creature and its huge health bar.
Ship of Fools offers a hearty challenge, but remains incredibly moreish. Despite your runs barely lasting half an hour to begin with, you’ll learn more about the big wide world and want to upgrade your gear before trying out different item combos and tactics to get that little bit further. The random elements from map generation to loot drops keep the experience fresh, and sometimes place your fate in the hands of lady luck.
I must say, I absolutely love the visual style of Ship of Fools. The hand-drawn artwork looks fantastic, and the swashbuckling soundtrack is jolly entertaining. There are lots of Fools to unlock as you play, each with their own unique abilities. However, my favourite thing about them is how they woop and jump for joy after winning each battle. Adorable.
There’s only really one issue I have with Ship of Fools. When the action gets frantic, the controls get a little muddled. The same button is used to pick up loose items as well as taking control of cannons. For the majority of the time, this is not an issue. However, when enemies are firing and chucking projectiles at you and your ship is littered with items, jumping back on the cannon to defend yourself can be a faff. Meanwhile, a delay of just a few seconds can prove fatal as kamikaze puffer fish and flames start to engulf The Stormstrider. After a solid forty-five minutes or so, your run ending in this way can be frustrating.
But thanks to its variety and roguelite structure (there’s something I never thought I’d say), I played for hours at a time on Ship of Fools, whereas with similar games I usually lose interest after a couple, and need a break. It’s a cracking little game and at £12.99, an absolute bargain.
Ship of Fools is plucky, punchy and downright addictive. It’s one of the best roguelites available; once it has its hooks in you, it’s hard to let go.
Ship of Fools is on the Xbox Store
