Action Roguelike Sets Sail with Nautical Chaos and Roguelite Flair
**Key Takeaways**
– Curse of Pirates is an action roguelike featuring customizable ships, crew, and chaotic naval combat
– Inspired by Vampire Survivors and Hades, the game mixes fast-paced battles with vibrant pixel art and shifting biomes
– Face undead pirates, sea gods, and unpredictable weather in each replayable run
– Developed by indie studio Funky Parrot, published by HeroCraft PC, and coming soon to Steam
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | HeroCraft PC |
| Release Date | TBA (Wishlist on Steam) |
| Genres | Action, Roguelike, Adventure |
| Platforms | PC (Steam) |
Ahoy, aspiring captains! The indie seas just got stormier with the reveal of Curse of Pirates, the debut title from Funky Parrot and publisher HeroCraft PC. Announced May 22, 2025, this action roguelike tosses players into the heart of cursed waters, where customizable ships, shifting biomes, and supernatural threats await at every turn.
Curse of Pirates draws direct inspiration from genre juggernauts Vampire Survivors and Hades, promising intense, replayable runs with a distinct high-seas twist. Each expedition sees you captaining a ship through treacherous waters, battling relentless waves of undead pirates, spectral beasts, and even ancient sea gods. The game’s pixel art style evokes classic arcade energy, while layered biomes – think storm-lashed graveyards and eerie whirlpools – ensure no two voyages are quite alike.
What sets Curse of Pirates apart from its roguelike peers is its ship and crew customization system. Players can recruit a cast of colorful companions – each with unique quirks or abilities — and upgrade their vessels with a variety of weapons and buffs. This opens up layers of strategy, as every run allows for different builds, loadouts, and synergies. While Vampire Survivors brought horde-mode chaos and Hades raised the bar for narrative-driven runs, Curse of Pirates aims to anchor itself with nautical unpredictability and quirky pirate humor.
The game’s environments aren’t just visually varied — they’re actively dangerous. Expect to dodge environmental hazards, survive surprise whirlpools, and adapt to the ever-changing threats unique to each zone. Combined with a lighthearted tone reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean, Curse of Pirates seems determined to deliver both tension and charm.
Funky Parrot, a three-person indie studio, is making their first big splash with this project. Their approach blends tight, accessible action with elements of horror and high-seas adventure — a combination that could resonate with fans of both fast-paced roguelites and pirate-themed escapades. HeroCraft PC, meanwhile, brings experience from PC action and strategy publishing, adding a layer of credibility to this ambitious debut.
Curse of Pirates is currently available to wishlist on Steam, with demos and playtests promised in the near future. For roguelike veterans and pirate enthusiasts alike, this is one adventure worth keeping a weather eye on.
**TL;DR:**
Curse of Pirates is a newly announced action roguelike from Funky Parrot and HeroCraft PC, featuring customizable ships, supernatural enemies, and replayable high-seas chaos. Inspired by Vampire Survivors and Hades, it’s set to launch soon on Steam with a humorous, nautical twist and evolving challenges on every run.
Source: HeroCraft PC via GamesPress