Crooked Waters Sets Sail in June With Major Update

Nautical warfare is about to get a lot more intense this summer thanks to a couple of pirate-themed titles. Survios announced Battlewake last week, filled with sea monsters and co-op gameplay. The other is Crooked Waters by Dutch indie team Craft Game Studio, which is due to leave Steam Early Access next month.

Crooked Waters

For the launch, Craft Game Studio will be releasing a major update called Crooked Waters: Conquest which will add a bunch of new features including a completely redesigned world. However, the biggest addition is the new game mode which should hopefully alleviate one of the bigger issues with the original version.

To begin with Crooked Waters was a multiplayer focused combat experience, pitting four vs four against one another, with each team member having a particular role; one to steer, one to fire the cannons, one on the sails and one as a lookout. As VRFocus found in its preview, this meant that if no one else was available to man the ship, it wasn’t entirely feasible on your own.

The new Conquest mode addresses this by offering solo, co-op and versus all in one package. For the first two options, players have to fight their way through enemy territory in a bid to secure the guarded treasure by destroying three outposts. In the versus mode, two teams are vying for the same three outposts, meaning that at some point they’ll come in close proximity with one another and fight it out.

Crooked Waters ship

Once those objectives have been destroyed players then have to contend with a huge fortress that is stationed in the centre of the map. Its outer defences might be gone but players will still have to deal with heavy fortifications including cannons, mortars and pesky skeletons.

The update will also add new mechanics for sailors to get used to, such as repairing and adjusting sails. Plus, a smaller two-person ship will be introduced. Fans of the original deathmatch mode will be pleased to know that it has been retained.

Crooked Waters: Conquest will be made available on 21st June via Steam as a free update for current owners. For those yet to play the videogame Craft Game Studio will be running a free weekend on Steam to celebrate. For any further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

July 15, 2018

Something For The Weekend: Sunny Day Deals On Steam

As the month of July continues once again is it time for the weekend and for VRFocus to bring you a number of deals on virtual reality (VR) titles. It’s time to look at Steam again to find all the latest and greatest deals on VR titles that are sure to offer hours of enjoyment. As always, be sure to check back every weekend for even more deals right here on VRFocus.

SUPERHOT VR

Time moves when you move in this intense first-person title that will see you facing off agaisnt countless engmies and using anything as a weapon. With no health bars and only one hit killing you and your enemies, how you handle each situation will be key to ensuring you survive. So grab a gold club, sword or even a bottle and maneuver through a hurricane of slow-motion bullets.

SUPERHOT VR is available now for £12.72 (GBP) down from the usual £18.99.

Guns n Stories: Bulletproof VR screenshot 2

Guns’n’Stories: Bulletproof VR

“Mention wave shooters to a VR player and they’ll probably roll their eyes. Titles in this genre need to have something special about them to even be worthwhile. The Secret Locations Blasters of the Universe had it and Guns’n’Stories: Bulletproof VR looks like it might as well. So long as MiroWin adds plenty of content during early access then Guns’n’Stories: Bulletproof VR could very well be a hit.” – Read VRFocus’ Senior Staff Writer Peter Graham preview of Guns’n’Stories: Bulletproof VR.

Guns’n’Stories: Bulletproof VR is currently available for £7.19 (GBP) down from £17.99.

No Clue VR

Sometimes the truth is right in front of you but things are not always what they seen. In No Clue VR it is all about spotting the difference between a number of scenes. With an imaginative storyline, characters and colourful graphics, this title will offer players a chance to enjoy a different pace of game that will surely offer hours of fun.

No Clue VR is available now on for £4.64 (GBP) down from £15.49.

RUSH

“Are you ready for the ultimate thrill ride? Take a dive into the adrenaline-pumping world of wingsuit flying with RUSH. Soar down mountainsides at breakneck speeds. Weave through canyons, dodge outcrops, and plummet down sheer drops as you race towards the finish line.”

RUSH is available now for £13.16 (GBP) on sale from the usual £15.49.

Crooked Waters

Looking for some multiplayer pirate fun in VR? Then Crooked Waters will be able to offer you just that. Just up with friends and build the ultimate pirate crew as you take to the seas in search of adventure. Featuring four-versus-four ship combat and a host of features to keep the experience fresh and fun, players will find plenty to enjoy within this title.

Crooked Waters is only £12.39 (GBP) down from £15.49.

Time Carnage

Time Carnage VR

“Time Carnage is well-made, and is a fine, competent example of its genre, with some excellent music and sound design, though it ultimately fails to stand out amidst many other similar titles that litter VR videogame libraries. Shooting dinosaurs is still lots of fun, though.” – Read VRFocus’ Staff Writer Rebecca Hills-Duty review of Time Carnage VR.

Time Carnage VR is available now for £8.99 (GBP) down from £14.99.

VR Slugger: The Toy Baseball Field

It’s time to grab your bat and take to the field in this fun filled baseball title that will have you swinging big and knocking it outof the park. Inspired by the Japanese board game Yakyuban, players will have to learn how to swing as they master the physics of the title to earn the highest score and become the master of the field.

VR Slugger: The Toy Baseball Field is currently £4.49 (GBP) down from £8.99.

Cold Iron – Quick Draw Western

“Wild West fast draw with a twist. Dance with the deadliest duelists in the world’s first virtual reality puzzle shooter. Cold Iron is created exclusively for VR.”

Cold Iron – Quick Draw Western is currently on sale for £7.14 (GBP) down from £10.99.

Deep Fear

Dive deep underwater and experience the thrill of exploring what is hidden under the waves. In Deep Fear players can jump into the water and explore shipwrecks, the lost city of Atlantis and deal with dangerous creatures that lurk below. Upgrade your character and become the best driver in the world as you dive, explore and survive.

Deep Fear is currently available for £0.45 (GBP) down from £0.72.

HoloLAB Champions

“As a normal piece of VR content HoloLAB Champions is short but sweet, offering an informative introduction into the world of chemistry. This isn’t the sort of title where you can go all mad scientist and create crazy concoctions – there’s Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-Ality for that – but it’s not meant to be. As a teaching tool it’s quite easy to see how VR has a place within education.” – Read VRFocus’ Senior Staff Writer Peter Graham review of HoloLAB Champions.

HoloLAB Champions is available for only £5.75 (GBP) right now on sale from £7.19.

That is all for this week but remember that VRFocus gathers all the best sales and deals every week, so check back next weekend at the same time to discover more.

July 13, 2018

Preview: Crooked Waters – Nautical Warfare That’s Lacking Some Rum

It’s fairly common knowledge that multiplayer titles in virtual reality (VR) can offer a bit of a mixed experience. If they take off and become popular you’ll get some decent matches, otherwise it can be a barren wasteland of disappointment, even if the videogame is good. Arriving today from indie developer Craft Game Studio is a multiplayer focused pirate experience that’s about teamwork. Called Crooked Waters, it’s an Early Access title with grand designs on the multiplayer genre.

Crooked Waters

As mentioned VR multiplayers are hard, that’s even when you consider simple all-out deathmatch modes. Crooked Waters takes that difficulty and ramps things up by making every match a 4vs4 battle, you can start with less but that just complicates things.

The reason for this is the semi-simulator approach that Craft Game Studio has gone for. As you would expect an old fashioned pirate ship can’t be manned alone, there’s way too much to be done. Meaning Crooked Waters ships need a four-person team, one to steer, one to fire the cannons, one on the sails and one as a lookout. Realistically the latter can operate the cannons as well, but that still means three players are needed. VRFocus did attempt a solo sailing, however, there was way too much running around to succeed in one chore productively, especially when trying to aim the ship and fire the cannons at the same time.

Before you get that far you start off in a tavern, a nice little meeting area where you can chat with friends, invite them and choose your teams. There’s even a piano in the corner if you’re feeling musical. The trouble is, things do tend to glitch every now and then (which isn’t unusual in an Early Access title). Loading times can be somewhat erratic, occasionally fast but generally slow. And there was the moment VRFocus fell through the floor of the bar and into oblivion (not good if you suffer from VR nausea).

Crooked Waters

Those details can be fixed, what’s more difficult to arrange are players. Getting friends online and into a VR match is one thing, eight on the other hand is a little more challenging. The multiplayer mode has no AI to make up the numbers, so without a minimum of four people there’s not a lot of point to playing.

Craft Game Studio has included a Solo Challenge mode which can certainly help you to learn the basics. In a much smaller boat you do have to do everything which isn’t so much of a struggle. The mode is all about getting a highscore, so find rival boats as quickly as possible and sink them. Unfortunately the challenge is somewhat mute as the ships are completely stationary and don’t fire back, leading to a rather dull 10 minute battle.

The idea of taking four of you out on a pirate ship and going on the hunt for fellow seadogs is a great idea, and completely understandable. Achieving that goal on the other hand is fraught with difficulties which can only be overcome if the Steam community get behind the experience. If Craft Game Studio can add the right amount of finesse as well as some deeper options then Crooked Waters could be a decent team multiplayer.

July 10, 2018

Become an Old Sea Dog as Crooked Waters Receives Early Access Release Date

While the continual influx of zombie-themed videogames has slowly begun to wain, another is beginning to take its place, pirates. Taking to the high seas to loot and pillage has really begun to gain popularity, whether its non-VR such as Sea of Thieves, or in virtual reality (VR) with titles like Pastimes for Pirates, A Tale of Pirates: A Dummy Mutiny, Ship Ahoy, or Narrows. Adding to that list is Craft Game Studio with its Steam Early Access experience Crooked Waters, ready to set sail this week.

Crooked Waters

Crooked Waters is an online pirate battle game where up to eight players battle it out in a 4v4 ship battle. The goal of each encounter is to sink the other ship which can only be done through cooperation with your team. This isn’t some arcade style experience where you can steer the ship and fire the cannon liberally. Only together can you manage the ship and achieve victory.

Ships require their crew to be on top form. One needs to be the navigator, steering the ship in the right direction; but a ship is no good without sail being adjusted to get optimal speed and load. There will always need to be someone on lookout in the crows nest to find the enemy and when you do so the cannons will need to be loaded, aimed and fired to take down the opponent.

VRFocus first reported on Crooked Waters last month ahead of an Early Access release on 19th June. That didn’t occur due to the team trying to improve performance, in doing so a few network bugs surfaced. The delay has meant further bugs have been ironed out, plus a singleplayer mode where the goal is to get the highest score on the leaderboard by sinking ship targets has been added.

Crooked Waters

Crooked Waters is due to enter Steam Early Access this Friday, 13th July 2018. The initial version will feature everything mentioned with Craft Game Studio also planning to add destruction of ships, more offensive weaponry, and a progression system so players get rewarded for winning matches. As further updates surface for Crooked Waters, VRFocus will keep you posted.

July 10, 2018

‘Crooked Waters’ to Bring Co-op Pirate Ship Battles to VR, Launching in Early Access This Week

The Netherlands-based Craft Game Studio is bringing Crooked Waters, a multiplayer pirate ship game for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, to Steam Early access this week.

Pitting would-be pirates in a four vs. four battle on the high seas, the goal of Crooked Waters is to sink the other ship. While it sounds simple, cooperation here is the ultimate key to success; players will have to work in concert by navigating the ship it by steering, adjusting the sails to get optimal speed, and loading, aiming and firing cannons at the enemy.

You’ll be able to join up with a randomly selected crew, or invite your friends to join in the battle. A tavern below deck gives you a chance to strategize, play mini-games, or just toss back a few pints of grog while you wait for a match to start.

Craft Game Studio has put special emphasis on the game’s many locomotion schemes, which includes free locomotion, snap-turn, arm-swinging locomotion, and a climbing mechanic that lets you climb the mast to adjust sails and get a better vantage point.

The game is online multiplayer-only, although the developers say this is an issue they’ll keep this in mind while developing the Crooked Waters throughout its Early Access period on Steam; the game is slated to hit Steam on July 13th.

The post ‘Crooked Waters’ to Bring Co-op Pirate Ship Battles to VR, Launching in Early Access This Week appeared first on Road to VR.

June 10, 2018

Become A Virtual Private In Crooked Waters

If there is one thing that will never not be fun, it is playing the role of a pirate. Craft Game Studio have taken this to heart with their upcoming virtual reality (VR) title which puts players up against each other in immersive sea battles where only the best pirate crew will win. This, is Crooked Waters.

Crooked Waters

In Crooked Waters, players will face off as two teams of four each with their own ship that needs to be managed in order to succeed. This means adjusting the sails angle and length, steering he ship, loading and firing the cannons, and even climbing up to the lookout for a better view of the rolling sea in front of them. Of course once you find the other ship it will be time for all out navy warfare.

The title will feature a number of options to help make movement as smooth as possible for players including the option for free locomotion, driven by the touchpad or thumbstick. Swinging your arms is also a valid movement option and their is the included feature of quick turning which offers 90-degree, fast rotation by means of the touchpad or thumbstick once again. To top it all off, Crooked Waters has roomscale support meaning players will really feel immersed within the pirate world.

Crooked Waters

Craft Game Studio will be bringing their title to Steam Early Access later this month with the plan to keep it in that state for no longer than a year. It will release with functioning online multiplayer, including a tavern lobby with working mini-games and pianos, for up to two teams of four players to battle it out on the open seas. The team have plans for the future of the title writing on the store page saying: “We would like to add destruction of ships. This combined with more offensive weaponry can add an extra layer of depth to the ship vs ship battles. We also want to add a progression system so players get rewarded for winning matches. We also considered larger crew ships and possibly increasing the ship count. We also thought about adding a treasure hunting mode or storyline, however this completely depends on what the community sees fit for the game.”

Crooked Waters is set to release on Steam in Early Access on June 19th, 2018 with support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. You can see a gameplay trailer for the release below and for more on Crooked Waters in the future, keep reading VRFocus.