Pirates Outlaws is an interesting title that slipped my radar. This stunning pirate-themed endeavour mixes an array of genres to create a moreish but often unfair experience. Consequently, this is a love/hate title that will get under your skin and force you to rage quit. However, this excellent casual title can be enjoyed in both large and small doses as you aim to unlock its incredible content while making your way to the endgame.
Developed by Fabled Game and published by Blitworks, this is a deck-building title. Moreover, there are rogue-like elements, an array of characters to unlock, and plenty of game modes to enjoy. What’s more, there are 7 chapters to tackle, 700 cards to test out and 200 relics to use. As such, there are countless tactical options, so no playthrough is ever the same.
Pirates Outlaws has a loose story.
This genre annoys me as the story plays 2nd or even 3rd fiddle to the core gameplay. As such, you always endure a loose story that has little depth. Subsequently, unless the action grabs you, it can feel voyeuristic and hollow. Fortunately, Pirates Outlaws has some incredible gameplay mechanics and so much character depth that the lack of story matters not.
You control a lowly pirate that wishes to prove their worth. However, this is easier said than done, as no one wants to give you the time of day. Instead, you must battle untold amounts of pirates as you aim to take down each pirate lord. En route, you’ll move from node to node as you fight, explore locations, visit a market or tavern, and so forth. If you are successful, you can end your run or you can progress and try something harder.
This is the gameplay loop, no matter which chapter you undertake. Subsequently, if you love games like Slay the Spire, then you’ll adore every layer of this interesting pirate experience.
So many layers.
I don’t want to bog you down with every layer of the action. Why? Well, Pirates Outlaws has so much going on that you’d easily become lost. As such, I’ll try to simplify things as best I can. Right, here goes! Each map comprises several paths and plenty of nodes. As you move forward, each path spreads and you must decide which way to go. Movement is denoted by AP and if you run out, the game is over. Luckily, though, every node AP value is highlighted so you can’t go wrong.
The battles are interesting and challenging and will test your defence-against-attack mindset. In simple terms, each character has a set amount of ammo to spend. If you exhaust your ammo, you cannot use every card in your hand. However, you can use any melee cards, as melee weapons don’t require ammunition. Yet, every other action does, from shooting your foes to setting up your defences. Accordingly, you must study your opponent’s next move and create an effective plan.
This fighting concept remains the same throughout and the only changes come from the cards in your hand or the character you have selected. Alongside this, depending on the relics you hold, and any curses you may have, this will adjust your approach further still. If you don’t lose all your health, and you kill your foes, you will be rewarded with gold. This treasure is key if you wish to improve your player and your chances of survival.
Taverns, markets, and events.
Fighting is the main aspect of Pirates Outlaws. However, the markets and taverns are key locations as well. Here, you can upgrade any cards, purchase new relics for stat or ability boosts, or buy new cards. Additionally, they are a welcome break from the constant fighting. As such, planning your route to incorporate one or both of these safe locations is essential if you wish to succeed.
The fighting nodes and the markets and taverns are broken up by mystery event locations. These Ian Livingstone elements add an ounce of a chance to proceedings and were a test of your resolve. With risk and reward at its core, you can change your chances of success by exploring a cave, helping a beggar, or opening a treasure chest. I loved this layer of mystery, even if it caused me to die repeatedly.
Balanced gameplay.
The aforementioned elements make up the core aspects of Pirates Outlaws. However, what impressed me most was the gentle learning curve and the balanced gameplay. The excellent upscale in difficulty can be experienced once you earn enough “Repute” points. As you complete each journey, you are rewarded “Repute” depending on what you’ve achieved. Additionally, you will unlock new items and cards based on awarded XP. This was great, as it made every run worthwhile.
Alongside this, it takes a considerable effort to overcome each of the outlaws you face and the 60+ bosses you must defeat. Moreover, by the time you unlock the advanced stages, you’ll understand the finer details of the gameplay and you’ll have some interesting heroes unlocked. Accordingly, the developers have done a great job of ensuring that progress and the difficulty settings are nicely balanced.
Pirates Outlaws lacks a fresh look.
My upcoming criticism will seem harsh, but Pirates Outlaws lacks a fresh lick of paint. What I mean is visually it isn’t original. In fact, it could be any of a number of rogue-like titles that have come before it. As such, this was disappointing, as the gameplay tweaks familiar concepts and makes it its own. Yet, this doesn’t mean I disliked it, cause I didn’t. The seedy finish is supported by a muted colour palette. Additionally, the character models are fantastic and the animation is OTT and smooth. What’s more, the UI is exceptional and everything is easy to follow.
The audio, on the other hand, is phenomenal. I adored the booming sound effects and the cruel sounds of each blade. On top of this, the piratey music was great to listen to, as were the ambient sounds. As such, the developers did a great job of enhancing their theme without being too cliched.
Excellent controls.
The excellent control system surprised me. I expected this to be a horrible game to play. However, though it has loads of depth and plenty of tactical elements, it was a cinch to get going. Yet, mastering different approaches is a whole different ball game. Consequently, you’ll be able to learn the basics in no time, but tackling the major difficulty settings will take hours of effort.
The balanced gameplay and 7 chapters ensure longevity and replay value. On top of this, there are plenty of cards and relics to unlock, as well as character skins and other goodies. Furthermore, you’ll encounter plenty of bosses and each playthrough is unique. As such, you can play this repeatedly and enjoy a fresh experience every time.
Pirates Outlaws is a quality addition to the genre.
Though it lacks an original finish and a rich story, every other element is incredible. I loved the tactical nuance, the vast number of cards and relics, and the different enemies you’ll face. Moreover, the challenging gameplay, unlockable characters, and additional game modes were fantastic. As such, I loved this title and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you defeat every pirate overlord and become the talk of the ocean? Pick your hero, select your cards and relics, and hope that luck is on your side.
