Forgotten Seas: Sailing Through Time and Glitches

Pirates, planes, and a Bermuda Triangle of bugs

Launch Day Larry

Ahoy, mateys! Set sail on the high seas of Forgotten Seas, a pirate-themed adventure that promises a treasure trove of potential but occasionally feels like it’s still searching for its sea legs. This early access title invites you to navigate a world where islands phase in and out, offering a unique blend of historical and sci-fi elements. But does it deliver a bounty of fun, or is it more of a shipwreck waiting to happen? Let’s dive in.

Gameplay: A Treasure Map with a Few Missing Pieces

In Forgotten Seas, the gameplay is a mixed bag of innovative ideas and areas that need a bit more polish. The dynamic world, where islands appear and disappear, adds a layer of excitement and discovery. The progression system is satisfying, rewarding players with new abilities and crafting options as they explore the vast map. However, the movement mechanics feel like you’re floating on a cloud rather than sailing the high seas, which can be a bit jarring in a water-themed game. The inability to swim underwater is a head-scratcher, leaving you wondering if your pirate forgot how to hold their breath.

Ship mechanics are another area where the game could use some fine-tuning. Sailing feels more like driving a car, with WASD controls that lack the dynamic elements of wind and water physics. Ship combat is simplistic, with auto-aiming features that make you feel more like a passenger than a captain. On land, combat and survival elements are basic, with repetitive mechanics and poor hitbox registration. Yet, the game does offer some quality-of-life features, like auto-chopping trees, which show a focus on improving player experience.

Crafting and exploration are where Forgotten Seas shines. The crafting system is engaging without being overly grindy, and the missions add a sense of purpose to your adventures. The large explorable map is a delight, though performance issues can arise when building structures, and the building interface could use a bit more user-friendliness.

Graphics: A Stormy Sea of Charm and Challenges

Visually, Forgotten Seas is a bit of a mixed bag. The graphics are generally described as basic but functional, which is acceptable for a small indie game. Some players appreciate the stylistic choice, finding the graphics charming, while others criticize the lack of detail and variety, particularly in environments like islands and biomes. The art style can feel inconsistent, with some elements appearing out of place.

Optimization is a significant issue, with reports of high resource usage even on high-end systems. The game runs well on ultra-wide screens and older hardware, but stuttering and poor rendering of shadows suggest it may not be fully optimized for all systems. The animations are another point of criticism, described as jerky and disconnected, which detracts from the overall experience. However, the environmental graphics, particularly the water and sea visuals, receive praise for their appeal, especially during night sailing in storms.

Story: A Time-Traveling Tale with a Splash of Absurdity

The story of Forgotten Seas is as eclectic as a pirate’s treasure chest, blending historical, sci-fi, and survival elements into a narrative that’s both intriguing and unconventional. It begins with a plane crash involving World War II pilots who find themselves trapped in the Bermuda Triangle, which has mysteriously reverted to a setting reminiscent of the 17th or 18th century. This intriguing premise combines Age of Sail themes with modern elements, such as carbon-fiber outfits and camo gear, creating a disjointed yet captivating backdrop.

The narrative is further enriched by the presence of ghosts, ghost ships, and islands that appear and disappear, adding a surreal quality to the storyline. Players progress by discovering messages in bottles, which provide quests and guide their journey. While the story is praised for its potential, the writing is seen as a weak point, with some describing it as disjointed and forced. The narrative begins with a humorous scene where an American naval pilot becomes a mostly naked woman in a loin cloth, crafting pirate clothes from a plane crash, adding a layer of cheesiness that some players find charming.

Final Verdict: A Promising Voyage with Rough Waters

Forgotten Seas is a game with a solid foundation and engaging elements, but it requires significant refinement in areas like control schemes, ship mechanics, and combat systems to enhance the player experience. The developers’ active interaction with the community is a positive sign for future updates and improvements. With its unique blend of historical and sci-fi elements, the game offers a fun and immersive experience, though it may not be for everyone.

Score: 5.5/10