MORSE

MORSE

Released Nov 2025

Vanquish the Kaiser's Imperial Fleet using timing, tactics and telegraphy in MORSE, a minimalist strategy game that teaches you the secret language of Morse code. Can you change the world with the push of a button?

92% positive · 127 reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development

Where to buy

Steam $13.99
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Evaluation

MORSE launched on November 11, 2025 after a ten-year development journey by solo developer Alex (ALJO Games). Since launch, the developer has maintained a strong and consistent pattern of meaningful updates: - November 21, 2025: Feature patch adding game modifiers and a refined tutorial - December 20, 2025: Major update introducing an easy mode, Steam Cloud support, and the Teaspoon Telegraph (a 3D-printable custom controller) - December 30, 2025: Patch adding new explosion animations - February 20, 2026: Update adding VBand hardware support, fog-of-war indicators, and outreach/minimalist modifiers - March 21, 2026: Major update introducing three dedicated training modes (Calibration, Speed, and Listening) along with UI refinements - April 29–30, 2026: Feature patch fixing the Iambic key and UI issues, followed by a major overhaul of the game's demo for Morse Code Week The developer previously described MORSE as their personal "swan song" for commercial game development before transitioning to dementia research advocacy — but this has not slowed the pace of updates. A roadmap published in May 2026 (referenced in the previous evaluation) outlined additional planned features over the following six months, including a settings page upgrade, a reworked listening mode, semi-auto telegraph integration, localisation infrastructure, and allied ships expanding the defensive arsenal. The game is free-to-play with no paid DLC or seasonal monetisation. Development continues at a sustained cadence driven by community feedback and the developer's broader mission to use MORSE as an outreach tool for the amateur radio community.
Evidence
Major demo overhaul released for Morse Code Week, incorporating a year's worth of polish and new features. Developer continues to actively support both the demo and full game.
news post · Apr 30, 2026 source content shipped
high
Major spring update ships three new dedicated training modes (Calibration, Speed, Listening) and UI refinements. Developer mentions plans to expand settings menu and hints at more updates 'coming down the pipe.'
news post · Mar 21, 2026 source content shipped
high

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
ALJO Games
Achievements
25
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player

About this game

The Kaisers Fleet approaches! It falls to you to learn the secret language of Morse Code and repel the naval onslaught through timing, tactics and telegraphy. 

MORSE is a wave based strategy game elegantly operated with just two controls, Morse and Artillery:

  • Enter dots and dashes to navigate an ever changing grid of letters and numbers.

  • Unleash an arsenal of artillery to reveal hidden enemy positions with the flash of your strike and swiftly sink them with precision and speed.

Between waves, upgrade your reconnaissance and firepower and bolster your blockade of sea mines crucial to holding the line. With each wave the waters change, new letters are learnt, shells are spent, ships scuttled and defences tested. Can you prevail? 

Telecommunicate. Illuminate. Eliminate. Upgrade. Blockade. Prevail.

Navigate ever changing grid of letters and numbers using the lost language of Morse Code. Learn a handful of simple letters then master the telegraphy tree to fully scale the battlefield. Master different telegraph control schemes such as Iambic and Sideswiper.

German ships are shrouded by the cover of darkness, illuminate their positions using the flash of your artillery strikes. Distant vessels will briefly brighten, land a blast close enough and warships will be permanently revealed. 

Rain down salvos of shells on the Kaiser's fleet with your artillery. Deliver direct hits for maximum damage and to save ammunition, consistent precision is rewarded with a faster feed of shells that can breach the hulls of even the strongest ships.

After successfully repelling each assault, pick between a pair of upgrade cards to bolster your arsenal, chosen with either a dot or a dash. Unlock new deadly types of artillery shell, improve your sea mines or enhance your reconnaissance. Upgrades stack so choose wisely! 

Deploy a blockade of sea mines to reveal and destroy any ships that slip past your artillery. Mines can be bunched and scattered in various formations. Upgraded mines can withstand damage, have timed detonators and can relay warnings of breaches.

With each wave, a new isogram is chosen, the vertical row extends, the number of units increase and new powerful German vessels emerge from the dark waters. Survive until dawn.

Can you change the world with the push of a button?

"A novel and compelling take on real-time strategy games."  ~ Rock Paper Shotgun

"The whole game requires a kind of intentionality and level-headedness to succeed at that, when I pull it off, really makes me feel like I’m mastering a skill." ~ Aftermath

"A highly complete work with a unique concept." ~ IGN Japan

"MORSE is a game that highlights how simple a game can be while containing depth, complexity and joy." ~ Indiecade

BUILD YOUR OWN TELEGRAPH!

Whilst an enjoyable experience with mouse, keyboard or Steamdeck, the authentic way of playing MORSE is with a telegraph key. Here are some of the different types of "homebrew" hardware that players have fashioned to play the game with. Visit the Steam Discussions for the project to learn about how to build your own, including the newly announced Teaspoon Telegraph.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

  • A frantic campaign mode featuring a midnight breach of the Blockade of Germany.

  • A skirmish mode to hone your telegraphy skills on a breadth of different words.

  • 40 different characters to learn in Morse Code.

  • 3 different telegraph types and calibration settings to tune to your needs.

  • Put your knowledge and skill to the test with Expert Mode.

  • Mix up gameplay with a growing collection of modifiers. 

  • Connect up a homebrew or commercial telegraph key for the authentic MORSE experience.

  • Explore the manual to learn more about MORSE but also how to apply and expand your knowledge of Amateur Radio.

Last evaluated Aug 28, 2026
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