Rogue Waters

Rogue Waters

Released Sep 2024

Rogue Waters is a Pirate Tactical Turn-Based Rogue-lite. Play as Captain Cutter, commanding your ship and crew through procedurally generated encounters to seek revenge. Recruit, train, and upgrade crew, use powerful sea creatures, and engage in dynamic naval and melee combat to gain the upper hand.

75% positive · 1,324 reviews
Not yet
Released, but content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
Released, but content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned

Where to buy

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Evaluation

Rogue Waters launched on September 30, 2024. Shortly after launch, on October 4, 2024, developer Ice Code Games posted a message to players confirming that while the core game was complete after a three-year development journey, they intended to keep updating it based on community feedback — mentioning player requests for more mechanics, heroes, and locations. True to that promise, the team shipped a series of free feature updates through late 2024 and early 2025, adding new playable characters (including the Sea Witch in February 2025), new skill trees, enemies, items, and ship modules. Most recently, on June 8, 2026, Ice Code Games formally announced "Dead in the Water" — the game's first major paid DLC. It introduces a new story campaign set in the Storming Sea, a new boss character Captain Circe, new random events, and an expanded arsenal of weapons, items, and skills. The DLC is already listed on the Steam store as unreleased with no release date yet confirmed. As of June 12, 2026, the developer is also actively investigating and fixing several reported bugs, confirming ongoing engagement with the game. Anyone waiting for all content before playing should know that the Dead in the Water DLC has been announced but has not yet shipped.
Evidence
Dead in the Water DLC announced as the first major DLC, featuring a new story campaign, new boss Captain Circe, new random events, and expanded weapons, items, and skills
news post · Jun 8, 2026 source content planned
high
Major free update added the Sea Witch as a new playable character with two unique skill trees, plus a new enemy type
news post · Feb 4, 2025 source content shipped
high

Content

1 of 2 released · 1 planned

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Tripwire Presents
Achievements
18
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

BECOME THE PIRATE CAPTAIN

Set sail as Captain Cutter, a pirate caught in a deadly struggle for power and vengeance. Navigate dangerous waters, unleash mythical sea creatures, and outwit enemies as you chase legendary treasure and confront dark secrets.

  • Embark on a journey of loyalty, betrayal, and revenge, as you unravel the mysteries of the Sea Shepherd prophecy and face the immortal Captain Blackbone.

  • Use your Pirate Cave (HUB) to equip ship upgrades & crew members before each run.

  • Each run generates new encounters, requiring careful navigation as you work your way toward Captain Blackbone.

  • Enjoy a rich, story-driven adventure across 3 acts, with endless replayability.

ASSEMBLE YOUR CREW

Recruit and grow your pirate crew, discovering their hidden potential as you lead them into battle. It's your responsibility to mold them into the legendary pirates they were destined to be.

  • Recruit from 6 unique classes, each with distinct abilities and playstyles for your ship’s crew.

  • After each run, upgrade your crew’s skills to increase their effectiveness.

  • Damage persists across runs, requiring you to swap out crew members to allow them time to heal.

EVER-CHANGING LAND AND SEA

Face new challenges as the game world shifts procedurally with each run, offering fresh secrets, combat scenarios, and treasures to discover.

  • Encounters feature diverse pirate factions and enemy types—choose your battles wisely.

  • Your crew will engage enemies on ships and land alike.

  • Visit shops to heal, upgrade crew, buy cannons, and repair your ship.

  • You can extort shops for loot, but it’ll lead to a fight.

TURN THE TIDES

Customize your naval encounters with cannons and ship artillery. Unleash powerful shots during naval combat to destroy enemy ship modules and gain the upper hand in boarding fights.

  • Encounters begin with Sea Battles where you can use cannons to target key areas of enemy ships.

  • Both your ship and the enemy's have distinct buffs that can be destroyed.

  • Crew members can be targeted and killed during battle, so defend your ship and crew before boarding.

THOUGHT-PROVOKING TACTICS

Experience a fresh take on turn-based tactical combat that replicates the visceral intensity of cloak-and-dagger duels. Use the environment to gain the upper hand like never before.

  • The boarding phase involves hand-to-hand combat where your crew faces off against enemies.

  • Use your crew's unique abilities to maneuver and pin enemies against obstacles for fatal damage.

  • Leverage the environment by pushing enemies into spikes, grabbing one-time weapons, or swinging into position with ropes.

SUMMON CREATURES FROM THE DEEP

Legendary sea creatures, once thought to be myths, roam the oceans of Rogue Waters. Free them from captivity and gain their trust to summon them in battle.

Summon 3 sea monsters to assist in the boarding phase:

  • The Kraken crushes nearby enemies.

  • The Mermaid disrupts and pushes enemies in any direction.

  • The Giant Snail drops a deadly spiked obstacle on the deck.

A ROGUE-LITE PIRATE ADVENTURE

Each run resets your equipment and items, but unlocks permanent upgrades for your crew, ship, and Captain Cutter, allowing you to grow stronger with every battle.

  • Items and upgrades reset between each run:

    • Personal items (character equipment): additional weapons, attack modifiers, and side upgrades for abilities.

    • Shipboard weapons (cannons and similar items): each new run begins with a usable, basic starter set.

    • Ship modules reset as well.

  • Each run permanently increases your progress:

    • Unlock skill trees for crew members and Captain Cutter.

    • Acquire ship and port facility upgrades in the Pirate Cave (HUB).

Last evaluated Jun 14, 2026
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