Hooded Horse has announced Rogue Carrier, a new colony builder that tasks players with captaining a massive research vessel across the hazardous oceans of an alien planet. The game combines real-time strategy and roguelite elements, challenging players to manage crew morale and survive encounters with hostile sea life.
In Rogue Carrier, players assume the role of captain of 'The Behemoth,' humanity's largest built vessel. This colossal carrier is capable of supporting entire buildings and production lines on its deck, serving as a mobile base of operations. The core gameplay involves navigating the ship across an ocean teeming with alien creatures, some of which are benign and others aggressive. Survival hinges on fending off attacks, uncovering the planet's secrets, and ultimately finding a way to escape.
The gameplay loop appears to draw inspiration from a variety of established mechanics. Players can directly control The Behemoth in a third-person perspective, plot courses between islands on a zoomed-out map, and even take direct control of individual vehicles and aircraft housed within the carrier. A notable feature is the Tetris-like placement of factory buildings on the carrier's deck. These structures unlock resource harvesting and production lines, but limited deck space necessitates specialization.
Combat in Rogue Carrier involves engaging aggressive sea animals with the ship's turrets. The game also incorporates roguelite elements through event cards, which present players with crises requiring choices that often result in resource depletion, crew dissatisfaction, or other negative consequences.
The game has drawn comparisons to the 2001 RTS/action hybrid Hostile Waters, a title praised for its fusion of carrier management, unit command, and direct unit control. Rogue Carrier appears to echo this spirit by allowing players to shift between different perspectives and command a large ship.
Inspired by the unique setting and themes of Wes Anderson's film The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, Rogue Carrier presents a world where scientists explore perilous waters. The trailer showcases the varied perspectives and the central role of managing the immense carrier, suggesting a deep experience for those drawn to management and survival challenges.