TouchArcade Game of the Week: ‘Ocean Keeper’

TouchArcade Rating: A winning formula: blending distinct gameplay styles into a cohesive whole. Think Blaster Master's blend of side-scrolling and top-down action, or the recent hit Dave the Diver's roguelike diving and restaurant management. Ocean Keeper from RetroStyle Games expertly merges two unique mechanics, creating a compelling gameplay loop and upgrade system that keeps you engaged.

In Ocean Keeper, you crash-land your mech on an alien underwater planet. Dive into subterranean caves to gather resources, but be mindful of the encroaching enemy waves. You'll need to defend your base in your mech. The mining segments are side-scrolling, requiring you to excavate rocks for resources and artifacts, earning you in-game currency. Time is limited before enemies attack. Once back in your mech, the game shifts to a top-down twin-stick shooter with light tower defense elements, as you battle waves of bizarre aquatic creatures.

Earned resources upgrade both your miner and mech, with extensive branching skill trees for each. The roguelike nature means death ends your run, losing any temporary upgrades. However, persistent upgrades and customizations unlock between runs, ensuring continuous progress even after setbacks. Expect varied overworld and cave layouts with each playthrough.

Ocean Keeper starts slowly, with challenging early runs. Persevere! As you upgrade and hone your skills, the game's flow becomes clear, transforming you into an underwater wrecking machine. The synergy between weapons and upgrades is key, offering endless experimentation with builds and tactics. Initially uncertain, Ocean Keeper quickly became captivating once it gained momentum.