Abandon Ship

Abandon Ship can’t escape FTL’s shadow. It’s too similar to avoid being judged based on the high bar its spacefaring cousin set, but it falls far too short of that bar for me to like it. Turns out those water pumps aren’t worth manning after all.

Abandon Ship is an atmospheric, original, and highly distinctive game that offers an interesting mix of strategy, RPG elements, and roguelike mechanics. The story isn’t the main focus, but the world and atmosphere more than make up for it. The stylized graphics, soundtrack, and tension in every battle combine to create an experience you won’t soon forget. Its pace won’t suit everyone, and the repetitive combat situations can get tiresome after a few hours. But if you’re drawn to a nonlinear adventure with tactical elements, a crew you’ll grow to love, and a world where death isn’t the end but part of the journey, then this ship is ready to set sail just for you.

Abandon Ship is generally enjoyable thanks to its entertaining naval combat system. Narratively ambitious, it does suffer primarily at the hands of some contradictory, tedious or lackluster mechanics - mostly throughout its campaign gameplay.