Pirates Outlaws

Deckbuilding games are some of the most challenging yet rewarding games in the card game space. The blended roguelike subgenre popularized by Slay The Spire has skyrocketed this invigorating approach to card battles to new heights. Pirates Outlaws aims to take that same formula and enhance it with more champions, a larger variety of maps to navigate and a simple art style. On top of that, you get a whole new game mode reminiscent of Hearthstone’s draft arena mode.

Raise your sails as we explore everything you need to know about Pirates Outlaws.

Choose Your Class

In Pirates Outlaws, similarly to Slay the Spire, you’ll get to choose between a wide variety of characters. Each class of pirate and outlaws has their own pre-made deck that you kickstart your adventure with.

While Slay the Spire opts for each class to have its own card selection, Pirates Outlaws radically changes up the whole experience through modifiers. For instance, some classes don’t have the ability to gain armor or gold during their run. In essence, classes operate as a way to modify your entire run on top of your playstyle.

Tons of Cards

Pirates Outlaws currently has a library of over 500 cards. As you progress through the game, you’ll get to choose from a small random selection to help enhance your deck. This makes each run a unique experience. It challenges you to consider your card synergies as well as what fits your character’s current modifiers and abilities. On top of that, the game has over 160 relics that you obtain by fighting one of the game’s 50+ bosses. Each relic will provide you with a boon - and sometimes a bane - that will further enhance your deck’s capabilities.

Enter the Arena

Taking a page out of Hearthstone’s Arena, Pirates Outlaws adds a new layer of challenge with its own Arena mode. In this mode, your card selection will pull from the game’s entire card library, instead of dividing them by chapter. As you progress, you’ll fight over 28 unique champions in order to earn rewards and unlock trophies. Rewards can be skins as well as cool upgrades. It’s an engaging challenge for veterans coming from Slay the Spire and the like as Navigate mode may feel too easy and familiar.

The Bottom Line

Pirates Outlaws manages to capitalize to great effect on the familiar deckbuilding, roguelike experience popularized by Slay The Spire. Its simple cartoony art style coupled with its more approachable mechanics make it a great entry point into the subgenre.

Pros

• A more approachable take on the deckbuilding roguelike game
• Over 15 characters to play around with
• Arena mode is a fun and rewarding challenge

Cons

• Relic system may feel too familiar
• Navigate mode may not be as appealing to veterans of the subgenre