King of Seas

King of Seas is a pirate-themed action RPG set in a treacherous procedurally generated Caribbean-inspired world. Players assume the role of a customizable captain, engaging in intense naval combat, looting treasure, upgrading ships, and battling for dominance across open seas to avenge betrayal and become the titular ‘King of Seas’. The game features exploration of islands, dynamic naval warfare, and strategic ship customization against a backdrop of piracy and peril.

King of Seas: Review

King of Seas, developed by 3DClouds and published by Team17 Digital, is an isometric pirate action role-playing game that launched on May 25, 2021. Set in a procedurally generated world filled with ship fights, lost islands, and treasures, King of Seas offers a nautical sandbox that panders to the pirate wishes of its players. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative, gameplay mechanics, world-building, reception, and legacy, providing a comprehensive analysis of its place in video game history.

Introduction

In the vast expanse of the open seas, where the wind whispers tales of adventure and the waves sing songs of freedom, King of Seas sets sail. This game, with its charming isometric perspective and engaging combat mechanics, invites players to embark on an epic journey to become the king of all pirates. However, beneath its polished surface lies a game that struggles with repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and a lack of depth. This review will explore the highs and lows of King of Seas, ultimately determining its place in the annals of video game history.

Development History & Context

The Studio

3DClouds, an Italian studio based in Milan, is the creative force behind King of Seas. Founded in 2015, 3DClouds has a portfolio that includes titles like Hammerting and Greak: Memories of Azur. The studio’s experience in developing engaging and visually appealing games laid the foundation for King of Seas. The game’s development was a collaborative effort, with a team of 154 individuals contributing to its creation. Key figures include Francesco Bruschi (CEO), Luca Cafasso (Lead Game Designer), and Valerio Ceraudo (Technical Director).

The Creators’ Vision

The vision for King of Seas was to create a game that captured the essence of pirate life, blending action, role-playing, and strategy elements. The developers aimed to provide players with a sandbox experience where they could explore, fight, and trade in a procedurally generated world. The game’s isometric perspective and 2D scrolling visuals were chosen to evoke a sense of nostalgia while offering modern gameplay mechanics.

Technological Constraints & Gaming Landscape

King of Seas was developed using Unreal Engine 4, a powerful tool that allowed the developers to create a visually stunning and dynamic world. The game’s procedural generation and dynamic world mechanics were designed to provide a fresh experience with each playthrough. At the time of its release, the gaming landscape was dominated by open-world games and action RPGs, making King of Seas a unique entry in the genre.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot

The story of King of Seas revolves around Marylou or Luky, the children of the King of Seas. The game begins with a voyage to deliver gunpowder to a nearby port, but upon returning, the player finds that their father has been murdered, and they have been framed for his death. Fleeing in a small sloop, the player is taken in by pirates who teach them the ways of piracy, setting the stage for a quest to restore their name and uncover the truth.

Characters

The characters in King of Seas are colorful and exaggerated, fitting the game’s cartoonish style. While they serve to provide exposition and guide the player through the story, they lack depth and memorability. The protagonist, whether Marylou or Luky, is the focal point of the narrative, but their development is overshadowed by the game’s repetitive mechanics.

Dialogue

The dialogue in King of Seas is serviceable but lacks the wit and charm that could have elevated the game’s narrative. The conversations are often functional, serving to advance the plot or provide quest objectives. The lack of voice-acting also detracts from the game’s immersion, making the dialogue feel flat and unengaging.

Themes

The central theme of King of Seas is the struggle for power and redemption. The player’s journey from a framed heir to a powerful pirate captain explores themes of vengeance, survival, and the corrupting influence of power. However, these themes are often overshadowed by the game’s repetitive gameplay and lack of depth.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loops

King of Seas features a core gameplay loop that revolves around sailing, fighting, and trading. Players control their ship, navigating the open seas, engaging in combat with enemy ships, and trading goods between ports. The game’s isometric perspective and 2D scrolling visuals provide a unique and engaging experience, but the lack of variety in the gameplay loops can lead to repetition.

Combat

The combat in King of Seas is a blend of arcade action and strategic naval warfare. Players must manage their ship’s sails, hull, and crew, using cannons and special abilities to defeat enemy ships. The combat is engaging and dynamic, but it can become monotonous due to the repetitive nature of the encounters. The game’s difficulty settings, ranging from easy to hardcore, provide a challenge for players of all skill levels.

Character Progression

Character progression in King of Seas is tied to the player’s ship and its customization. Players can upgrade their ship’s hull, sails, and crew, as well as unlock special abilities and talents. The progression system is straightforward but lacks depth, with the focus primarily on upgrading the ship’s combat capabilities.

UI

The user interface in King of Seas is functional but lacks polish. The map system is cumbersome, with players needing to purchase maps to reveal the world. The lack of a mini-map and the need to click on the right stick to pull up the map can be frustrating. The UI indicators for the ship’s status are clear but could be more intuitive.

Innovative or Flawed Systems

One of the innovative systems in King of Seas is its dynamic world and procedural generation. The world reacts to the player’s actions, with naval routes changing and the difficulty adapting to provide a challenging experience. However, this system can also lead to frustration, as players may find themselves lost or unable to progress due to the game’s randomness.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting

The setting of King of Seas is a procedurally generated pirate world filled with battles, lost islands, and treasures. The world is dynamic, with naval routes changing and the difficulty adapting to the player’s actions. The setting is visually appealing, with a cartoonish style that evokes a sense of nostalgia.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere of King of Seas is one of adventure and danger. The open seas, filled with enemy ships and hidden treasures, provide a sense of excitement and unpredictability. The game’s sound design, with its atmospheric effects and engaging soundtrack, enhances the overall experience.

Visual Direction

The visual direction of King of Seas is a blend of 2D scrolling and isometric perspectives. The game’s cartoonish style is charming, with vibrant colors and exaggerated character designs. However, the visuals can suffer from performance issues, with stuttering and pauses detracting from the experience.

Sound Design

The sound design in King of Seas is a highlight of the game. The atmospheric effects, such as the sound of the wind and waves, enhance the immersion. The soundtrack is engaging, with rousing adventure themes and ferocious battle music. However, the music can suffer from performance issues, with loops and pauses detracting from the experience.

Reception & Legacy

Critical & Commercial Reception

King of Seas received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising its combat mechanics and visual style but criticizing its repetitive gameplay and technical issues. The game’s Metacritic score is 68, indicating mixed or average reviews. The game’s commercial performance was modest, with sales figures not reaching the heights of other open-world action RPGs.

Influence on Subsequent Games & Industry

King of Seas has had a limited influence on subsequent games and the industry as a whole. Its blend of action, role-playing, and strategy elements has been seen in other games, but its unique isometric perspective and procedural generation have not been widely adopted. The game’s legacy is that of a charming but flawed entry in the open-world action RPG genre.

Conclusion

King of Seas is a game that captures the essence of pirate life, offering an engaging and dynamic experience. However, its repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and lack of depth detract from its overall appeal. The game’s isometric perspective and procedural generation provide a unique and visually appealing world, but the lack of variety in the gameplay loops can lead to frustration. Despite its flaws, King of Seas is a game that offers a glimpse into the world of piracy, with its blend of action, role-playing, and strategy elements. Its place in video game history is that of a charming but flawed entry in the genre, a game that could have been great but ultimately falls short of its potential.