It's About Pirates is an action roguelike focused on naval combat and ship customization in a single-player experience. Players take command of a pirate vessel and navigate waves of enemies across the high seas while collecting resources to strengthen their build for each run.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on controlling a ship from a top-down perspective. Enemies approach in increasing numbers, and survival depends on positioning, timing attacks, and managing incoming threats such as cannon fire and mythical sea creatures. Weapons range from standard cannons to specialized options like flamethrowers, harpoons, and mortars. Players can choose automatic firing or switch to manual aiming for precision during intense moments.
Loot drops allow immediate upgrades, while collected items and ship components combine into varied builds. Over 140 items support different strategies, and more than 150 ship parts become available through exploration and quests in multiple pirate realms. Ten captains each bring distinct starting skills, and six factions add further variety with unique abilities that influence how runs unfold.
Runs emphasize quick sessions where death sends the player back to the start with a fresh combination of weapons, items, and captain. The system encourages experimentation across repeated attempts as enemy difficulty scales and new challenges appear.
Game Modes
Thirty distinct adventures form the main structure, each presenting a set number of rounds before a boss encounter. These adventures take place across different realms and reward ship parts upon completion of quests.
Endless mode removes the round limit and lets skilled players test how long they can survive against escalating waves. Leaderboards track performance in this mode, allowing comparison of high scores among players.
Automatic or manual aiming options apply across all modes, giving flexibility for different play styles without altering the fundamental single-player focus.
Progression and Customization
Ship customization extends beyond combat tools. Players gather unique parts during adventures and quests to alter the vessel's appearance and capabilities in meaningful ways. Faction choices and captain selection further shape each attempt, creating distinct paths through the same core systems.
The roguelike structure ensures that no two runs feel identical. Combinations of items, weapons, and abilities lead to different approaches against the same enemy types, while the top-down view keeps the battlefield readable even during heavy action.
Is It Worth Playing?
It's About Pirates suits players who enjoy survivors-style action with a naval twist and short, repeatable runs. The single-player design delivers focused sessions centered on build crafting and survival against waves of foes. With its recent release on PC, the game is available for immediate play, and the developer has indicated plans for continued updates based on early feedback.
Those seeking a straightforward pirate-themed roguelike without multiplayer elements will find the verified mechanics align with that preference. The emphasis on item combinations and captain variety provides depth for multiple playthroughs.
