Everything is cosy these days. Cats? cosy. Bakeries? cosy. Middle Earth? cosy. The apocalypse? apparently.
Publisher Rogue Games has today announced that Highwater — a game all about making friends at the end of the world — will be loading up on supplies and sailing over to Switch on 14th March. Get the thick blanket out and snuggle up to the thought of impending doom.
Highwater is a puzzle/adventure game from developer Demagog Studio where you and your apocalypse pals are tasked with doing whatever it takes to survive. This may be gathering supplies, making new connections or simply taking in the view — and we will say, it is a rather pretty view. Oh yeah, and the entire world is flooded, in case the title hadn't given that one away.
There are turn-based combat encounters dotted along the way where you'll have to make use of the environment to survive and (by the sound of the above trailer) some chill tunes to make your cel-shaded sailing that bit more atmospheric.
You can find out more about some of the game's features and get a look at some screenshots from its Steam and eShop pages below:
Rich, Story-Driven Adventure
Earth may be flooded, but it’s one heck of a view on the water. With a sense of humor, determination, and some great tunes, Nikos and friends will work together to explore the water-filled environment around them and embark on an adventure to evacuate to Mars and start a new life.3D Exploration & Discovery
Float along the vast waterways freely in your boat and explore the many different islands of a beautiful world where you’ll encounter danger, interact with fellow citizens, gather resources, and fight for a chance to escape to a new life.Turn-Based Combat With A Twist
Take on your enemies in a classic turn-based combat system where careful tactics and puzzle solving will help you come out alive. Interact with the environment and items around you: knock down a tree, push a shopping cart into an enemy, or duck behind a turned over car to gain the advantage.Original Radio Tunes
The world may be ending, but there's still time to enjoy some good tunes. As you cruise along the water, Highwater Pirate Radio is the key source not only of unique and original music, but also for commentary on your ticket to survival.
Highwater will be sailing onto the Switch eShop on 14th March for £16.59 / $19.99.
What do you make of Highwater? Will you be taking the plunge next week? Let us know in the comments.
Comments 13
To be fair, we already knew that such an apocalypse could be "cosy" thanks to Wind Waker!
Half jokes aside, interested in seeing/hearing more about this game!
3 words that fill me with dread.... 'Turn Based Combat'. I have said it before, but I wish I enjoyed that mechanic as I know I have missed out on a lot of great games. This game was sounding perfect to me, but at the back of mind I knew there was a reason I ignored this game after the reveal. I thought it might have been procedurally generated but alas no...
So, J.G. Ballard's "Drowned World" without the acid influences and weird psycho-sexual tension? Nah, count me out.*
*Being facetious of course, can't help but make a Ballard reference if it's there. Game looks decent.
@mr_somewhere
Drowned World sprang to my mind too. Along with Wyndham's The Kraken Wakes (which is massively underrated and easily as good as Triffids).
This does look pretty cool though, and the boaty bits in particular are gorgeous. I'll wait for reviews but I can definitely see myself sinking some hours into this. That music could be better though, it's almost brilliant, but missing something. Not sure if it's the vocalists voice or the slightly odd use of steel drums. I get that it's supposed so sound discordant, but there's a sweet spot for that and I don't think they've quite hit it.
Spiritfarer meets Flame in the Flood meets... random tactical RPG thrown in? I guess?
@Woderwick The tune is interesting, but you're right there's something slightly off about it. It reminds me a little of David Sylvian's later music but it's just missing that little something.
Game does look good all the same, will be keeping my eye on it and see.
Why call your age a puzzle, adventure game with turn based combat, when you can just say rpg? Beautiful graphics though.
Yuck. Looks like “poison for society” to me. Just IMO.
@Poodlestargenerica Because it may lack most other RPG elements and therefore isn't one, despite the turn-based combat?
Anyway, looks like an interesting game. Turn-based combat seems like a weird choice based on the looks of the rest of the game, but I enjoy me some turn-based combat and this looks more tactical than most, which is a fun twist for a game not billing itself as a tactical RPG.
Looks interesting! Will keep an eye on it even if the turn based doesn’t jive with it.
@inkslinger Well yeah, now reading the turn based combat description, I agree. I thought they meant rpg type combat.
I agree that turn based combat seems like a weird fit to an otherwise immersive atmosphere where you want to feel connected to the world around you. Makes me think of an indie developer sidestepping the things that they're not good at. Still I love the vibe and I'll be really tempted to get this.
So these guys are doing a Thunderful (of "SteamWorld") thing: first a golf game with "Golf Club Wasteland", then a platformer with "The Cub", now a... SRPG? Farming? Idk. All set I believe in the same universe, same art style, with great radio tunes in the background.
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