Nautical Survival

I've only played for an hour and will update this review as I play more. Not sure how much depth the game's going to have but so far I appreciate the noticeable benefits different crew members have, the worthwhile investments in upgrades and coin generation, and especially speed. You NEED speed for the end or you're going to die. I almost won on just my second run with the Bass Boat, Kraken's health was down to around 14% and was going in larger and larger circles to kite it, only to get shocked that yes, [i]this game does have walls[/i]. No way to recover in time, got clobbered. So far so good, devs. The core gameplay is nice enough. My only suggestion is that for future updates, I would like for there to be weapons that do have to be manually triggered with a button. Like, say, a harpoon gun. Targets the closest fish, you fire it, it retracts. Or a cannon you have to hold a button to charge and release that really knocks back enemies but also knocks your ship back, too, like a build in speed boost. Just a little more involvement and can encourage more aggressive play styles that don't lead to kiting mobs of fish around and around. I will say that I did notice what appeared to be these crab enemies that didn't chase the player and instead occupied space around outposts, that's a smart disruptive move. Digging into a wishlist of future features now, and maybe the game does or doesn't have it at this time, but I'd also like to see more pronounced weather effects. Maybe one wave gets really stormy and there's more dark clouds shooting lightning. Or maybe the waters get super choppy which affects the player's the ability to turn quickly. Or maybe even wind direction that can make your boat go faster one way, but then makes it slower going against it, like it pulls on your ship and you have to battle against that. Or heavy rain that makes the screen darker and reduces the size of your lighthouse's scope, making it more of a priority to upgrade its range. I would also like to see little touches that make the different boats even more unique to play. For example, the hydrofoil's built on speed, right? So maybe it encourages a drifting playstyle. Just for that ship, hold a button, drift, release, zoom! A built-in boost from the start. It could have a cone range based on the direction of the drift that slows enemies dramatically within that range so it can just weave through. Don't really get too many nautical themed roguelites, so I want to see this succeed. 160 reviews in three days is a hot start. Recommended. [b]UPDATE:[/b] Third time's the charm, hahaha! Won with the Bass Boat and melted the Kraken in like a minute with the Shotgun, SMG and Pistol maxed out.

Man, I Love Fishing.

Nautical Survival is an indie action-roguelite developed and published by Idan Rooze that takes the familiar survival-arena formula and reimagines it through a distinctly nautical lens. From the moment a run begins, the game establishes its core identity: fast-paced, top-down ship combat set on hostile waters where survival depends on smart positioning, build synergy, and constant adaptation. Rather than focusing on sprawling narrative or exploration, Nautical Survival commits fully to refining its gameplay loop, delivering a compact but highly addictive experience built around short, intense sessions that encourage experimentation and repeated play. At the heart of the game is its wave-based survival structure, where each run throws increasingly dangerous threats at your ship over a roughly twenty-minute stretch. Enemies range from swarming aquatic creatures to larger, more dangerous sea beasts and boss encounters that test both your reflexes and your build choices. Combat unfolds automatically through equipped weapons, placing emphasis on movement, spacing, and strategic upgrades rather than manual aiming. This creates a rhythm that feels both accessible and demanding, as success hinges on understanding enemy patterns and navigating the ever-crowded battlefield without being overwhelmed. Customization and progression are where Nautical Survival truly shines. Players unlock a variety of ships, each with distinct traits that meaningfully alter how a run plays out, whether through durability, weapon capacity, or special bonuses. Crew members add another layer of strategy, providing passive effects that can dramatically change the effectiveness of certain builds. Choosing the right combination of ship, crew, and weapons becomes a central part of the experience, rewarding players who experiment with synergies rather than relying on a single dominant strategy. The limited cargo space introduces an additional tactical constraint, forcing difficult decisions about which upgrades to keep and which to discard as the run evolves. Between waves, the game offers moments of reprieve through outposts and upgrade opportunities, allowing players to fine-tune their builds and prepare for what’s ahead. These pauses are brief but meaningful, giving a sense of progression without breaking the flow of tension. Procedurally generated elements ensure that no two runs feel exactly the same, and even familiar encounters can become unpredictable depending on the upgrades and modifiers in play. This unpredictability is a key factor in the game’s replayability, constantly pushing players to adjust their approach and learn from failure. Visually, Nautical Survival opts for clean, readable presentation rather than excessive detail, which works in its favor given the on-screen chaos that often unfolds during later waves. Enemy attacks, weapon effects, and upgrade indicators are easy to track, helping players make split-second decisions even when the screen fills with threats. Sound design complements the action effectively, with punchy audio cues that reinforce combat feedback and help signal danger without becoming overwhelming. The overall presentation supports the gameplay well, maintaining clarity while still conveying intensity. As an Early Access title, Nautical Survival already feels surprisingly cohesive, offering a solid foundation that delivers immediate enjoyment while leaving room for future expansion. While there are areas that could benefit from further refinement—such as additional enemy variety or expanded quality-of-life features—the core mechanics are strong and satisfying. The balance between challenge and approachability makes it easy to pick up, yet difficult to master, a combination that keeps players engaged over long sessions. Overall, Nautical Survival is a confident and focused indie roguelite that understands exactly what it wants to be. By blending naval combat with survival-arena mechanics and deep build customization, it delivers a tightly designed experience that thrives on replayability and player experimentation. For fans of fast, build-driven action games who enjoy chasing that perfect run, Nautical Survival offers a compelling reason to keep returning to the unforgiving seas. Rating: 9/10

definitely more engaging than the average survivors-like

It's a really fun game, but it's really frustrating when the game starts to chug due to too many coins on the screen or enemies. When I have [spoiler] all of the challenges on and the zapping gun [/spoiler] the game will start to stutter even with a 5900X and a 3080. This has basically killed any of these runs. I don't think that should be the case for a 2D game. Edit: If this affects you, go to task manager -> details -> Nautical Surival -> Right Click -> Set Priority -> Realtime / High. This helps a lot.

yo who composed the music for this game?? cause god daaaayuummm it's a total vibe. game mechanics are good. still early on though.

great game, very fun. can't wait to unlock everything and beat the game with all the boats. i almost didn't buy it because every time i seen pics and video the colors were different and some bothered my eyes, i didn't realize i could change them and that turns out to be one of the coolest things about it.

I am growing weary of survivor-likes (and I have quite the collection!); however this is a little gem. You recruit crew members, you can upgrade your ship mates, as well as your boat. Buy different guns… All in a very nice graphical style, with good humour. For the price you can’t go wrong.

great

Tokyo drift fishing edition