I have never been the biggest fan of roguelikes in the past. Hades and Binding of Isacc gave me room to soften this stance a bit, but on the whole, they are not my bag. However, give it to me in a card game, and I am interested. Throw in pirates, like Fabled Game Studios’ announced Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage, and I am hooked.

If you need more than pirates and card games then you are very hard to please, but we shall endeavour nonetheless. Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage is a roguelike deck builder where you hit the high seas, build a deck of fantastic abilities like summoning tornados or bonking people with a sword, and then promptly die and do it all again. 

When you start a run you will find yourself in the family mansion presented with your first choice; your starter deck. These come complete with unique hero ability cards, which you can unlock by finding alchemy potions. You can then augment these decks by buying or winning cards, or recruiting a companion and adding their abilities to your arsenal. 

In battle you can use your drawn cards to boost your characters or attack your foes, however obtaining three of the same and they will meld together to create a powerful new move to decimate foes with. Back your deck up with Relics, which will offer bonuses, including passive effects when you complete a set.

To collect cards and relics, or actually experience the game at all, you will need to sail to the high seas. You can’t just head out all gung ho though, as you will need to consider your rations and any hazards that might lead to an untimely game over. Plan your route carefully and forge a glorious path to battle, or to the tavern. You are a pirate after all.

Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage will be released on iOS and Android in 2025, with Steam getting an open beta test from October 25th to the 31st.