Pirates Outlaws

Distinct character decks give Pirates Outlaws more variety than its pirate setting alone would suggest. This is a turn-based roguelike deck-builder: a run moves through a map of encounters, and battles hinge on choosing cards from a limited hand. Attacks and defence have to be weighed against the enemies in front of you, while new cards and relics can shape a deck in different directions. By our assessment, that mix makes each run a satisfying little strategy problem, especially for players who like adjusting a plan as they go. The repeated structure is part of the genre, though, and familiar encounters can start to feel samey after many runs. It is a more deliberate game than a fast-action pirate adventure, with decisions happening card by card. A run still asks the player to make the best of the cards dealt along the way.