TouchArcade Rating: A masterful blend of distinct gameplay styles is what makes Ocean Keeper shine. This game seamlessly integrates side-scrolling mining with top-down mech combat, creating a compelling and consistently engaging experience reminiscent of titles like Blaster Master and Dave the Diver.
In Ocean Keeper, you pilot a powerful mech on a mysterious underwater planet. Your mission: descend into subterranean caves to mine resources, but time is of the essence! Waves of hostile creatures are constantly approaching, demanding you return to your mech to defend against their onslaught.
The mining segments unfold in a side-scrolling perspective. You excavate rocks to uncover valuable resources and unique artifacts, earning coins in the process. However, the mining window is limited; once it closes, the top-down twin-stick shooter combat begins. Here, you'll utilize your mech to fend off waves of bizarre aquatic enemies, incorporating light tower defense elements into the strategy.
Resources gathered during mining fuel upgrades for both your mining equipment and your mech. Extensive branching skill trees offer diverse customization options. The roguelike nature means death results in the loss of run-specific upgrades, but persistent upgrades between runs ensure continuous progress. Each playthrough presents unique overworld and cave layouts, adding replayability.
While the initial stages may feel somewhat slow, and early runs might be challenging, perseverance is key. As you unlock upgrades and refine your skills, Ocean Keeper truly opens up. The synergy between weapons and upgrades forms the core of the gameplay loop, encouraging experimentation with different builds and strategies. The initially slow pace gives way to an addictive and rewarding experience, making it difficult to put down once the momentum builds.
