TouchArcade Rating: A masterful blend of distinct gameplay styles is what makes Ocean Keeper shine. The game seamlessly integrates side-scrolling mining with top-down mech combat, creating a compelling and consistently rewarding experience. Think Blaster Master's vehicle/on-foot action, or the restaurant management and roguelike diving of Dave the Diver, but underwater!
In Ocean Keeper, you pilot a mech on a strange aquatic planet, venturing into underwater caves to mine resources. Time is of the essence, however, as waves of enemies constantly threaten your base. The side-scrolling mining segments involve excavating rocks for resources and artifacts, earning you in-game currency. This mining phase is time-limited, forcing a strategic balance between resource gathering and defense preparation. The subsequent top-down twin-stick shooter segments feature light tower defense elements as you repel waves of bizarre underwater creatures.
Resources fuel upgrades for both your mining equipment and your mech, with extensive branching skill trees for each. The roguelike nature means death resets your progress within a run, but persistent upgrades between runs ensure consistent advancement. Procedurally generated overworld and cave layouts add replayability.
While the initial stages may feel slow, and early runs challenging, perseverance is key. As you unlock upgrades and hone your skills, Ocean Keeper reveals its addictive gameplay loop. The synergy between weapons and upgrades is exceptionally well-designed, encouraging experimentation with different builds and strategies. Initially uncertain, I found myself captivated by Ocean Keeper's escalating intensity and diverse gameplay options. Once the momentum builds, it's difficult to put down.
