Ship of Fools is s a sailing co-op roguelite and the debut game of developer Fika Productions.

Ship of Fools is a Hand-Drawn Co-op Sailing Roguelite

Roguelites are all good fun, as we’ve been able to experience recently. However, it’s not too often that the genre allows players to experience persistence with friends. Enter Ship of Fools, the debut game of developer Fika Productions. This co-op roguelite will have up to two players man the deck of their very own ship, battling the horrors that lurk beneath the surface of the sea.

Let’s see what Ship of Fools brings to the seven seas.

The Ship of Fools

Stormy trouble is brewing just over the horizon of a group of islands only known as The Archipelago. The Great Lighthouse, the only bastion of protection of The Archipelago, has fallen. Corruption has thus begun to eek its tendrils into the sea, vying for the destruction of the islands. It is up to two creatures, only known as the Fools, to set their sails and journey into oblivion.

Ship of Fools is a co-op roguelite that follows the two Fools. They will build up their ship, The Stormstrider, and venture forth into the unknown. Only through cooperation will the pair be able to brave the dangers of the seas.

There will also be different Fools to choose from, each with their own unique abilities to bring to the waters. For example, Todd the Frog loves his trusty paddle. This gives him access to a Humble Hood, which grants faster paddle attacks.

Solo play is also an option for those captains who would rather sail solo.

Exploring the Forgotten Waters

Exploration will be on a hex-based view of the ocean. The two will need to plot their course carefully, choosing when to fight or otherwise take risks. However, the seas are rarely kind, as even the best plans can be foiled.

To keep in with the spirit of randomness that is right at home in roguelites, the sea will often shift its waves, creating blockades or other encounters that will change your course. Do you continue on the path you’ve set, even though it’s more dangerous, or do you find a safer route? You (and your partner) decide!

As the Fools explore the seas of Ship of Fools, they will encounter different events. Minor islands of The Archipelago still dot the seas, containing treasures, merchants, wonderful secrets, or dastardly rituals. The changing waters of Ship of Fools will forever give the game a replayable nature.

Sail for Glory

Of course, the meat of the game will be the ship combat and defense. If the Fools decide to fight some of the leviathans of the deep, their cooperative skills will be put to the test. The Fools must blast their way through the waters with their ship’s mighty cannons and other armaments. The weapons of the ship can be customized depending on what the pair picks up on their travels.

But the ship’s protection is another matter. As it is the only thing keeping the Fools afloat, they must take care of their vessel. Hardy as it is, the Stormstrider is not invincible. The Fools must balance attacking their foes with defending and repairing the ship.

Seeing the Seven Seas

Special effects can also be conjured up by the Fools with powerful items and artifacts that they may have picked up on their journey. In the initial launch, Ship of Fools will have over a hundred unique artifacts to collect, providing much variety.

Foolish ones may, for example, turn the best defense into the best offense. Literally, in this instance. Players can load up shields into their cannons and use them as ammunition instead of their intended purpose. The efficacy of this is questionable, but Ship of Fools is the only game to give us this option.

For a greater challenge, Fools can even take upon several curses that will take hold of the ship. Of course, they have promising and tempting rewards, such as a treasure trove of items. But boons of this nature often come with unforeseen costs.

Life at Sea

The game is also beautifully rendered, with graphics reminding us of a more colorful version of Don’t Starve. Ship of Fools definitely has its own charm, however, with its bright and bold colors. Its cartoony, hand-drawn style stands out from the crowd. Ships of Fools releases on Steam on November 22, 2022. Price point has yet to be announced by the publishers.

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