In Rogue Waters, you set sail as Captain Cutter, a pirate caught in a relentless cycle of naval battles as he hunts down the man who left him for dead. Like most roguelites, each run resets your progress, but the promise of mythical sea creatures, turn-based combat, and an ever-changing world make for an exciting ride. Let’s chart a course through treacherous waters with this Rogue Waters review!

The story in Rogue Waters draws you in with its mix of betrayal, revenge, and pirate prophecy. As mentioned, you play as Captain Cutter, who is hell-bent on revenge against the immortal Captain Blackbone, as you sail through a sea filled with rival pirates and dark secrets. The lore is deep and mysterious, and the game does a great job of setting everything up early on. Every encounter feels like it’s part of something bigger, keeping you engaged as you uncover more of the Sea Shepherd prophecy.

But where the game drops the ball is in the interactions between the characters. You spend most of your time hearing from Cutter and Wilkes or Cutter and Shiv, but the rest of the crew doesn’t get a word in edgewise. That’s a bit of a disappointment, especially since pirate stories are at their best when there’s a strong dynamic between the crew. There’s so much potential for memorable moments, but it never quite hits the mark. I would have liked to see more meaningful conversations that brought everyone closer together.

Pirate adventures thrive on character relationships, but in Rogue Waters, that element feels completely relegated to the background. While Cutter’s personal journey is interesting, the lack of interaction with the rest of the crew leaves you wanting more. With a little more focus on building those connections, the story could have really shined, making the victories and betrayals hit harder.