Universal Pirates Outlaws (by Fabled Game)

OK, so 60 or so runs @ (going by my timings for reaching the L1 boss) 15-20ish mins? To unlock Island 2.

Yeah.

I agree with you about the gameplay, but - going by my gameplay so far - do think this is a bit of a structural problem and that concerns about paywalls are not unreasonable.

As you say, when you pushed on through another game (which I'm not familiar with) there was no reward but repeat gameplay. You had the whole thing unlocked. In effect.

I've got no beef with roguelikes (and tbf am currently enjoying Book of Demons far more as a roguelike than in its 'structured' form). I've got no beef with premium games. I've happily paid for - and DLed - this.

However, I do dislike paywalls that mandate extensive grinds as the only alternative, or that constrain or limit gameplay. I don't think there's any contention that this may be the case - and that even if the grind is enjoyable - it may plausibly take in excess of 10 hours to grind past what is otherwise paywalled.

I don't think any of us on here have done it yet (?) I've probably only played an hour or so, and my gold tally is pretty pitiful.

 

i don’t understand that either, what would the areas be?
i’ve beaten the boss on the last island then accept the prizes.

 

So do you get more/less if you stop the run after the first island? Also I haven’t even been able to make it to the second boss yet haha. I got close one time and then I sank haha

 

I like the reloading mechanic, unique.
Dev, if you're reading this, please add Cloud Sync.

 

Ok Echo I beat the second boss so it CAN be done haha! I had that issue orders card upgraded and had that “predict” card ready for when he attacked. It worked the one time I needed it to so I didn’t die also if you deal him damage his damage output drops for that turn. Not sure if I got lucky or whatnot but just wanted to come say it’s not glitched...hopefully heehee

 

wow, this game has complex mechanics, love that, i'm really tired of stupid easy games, this one has a fast gameplay but it's hard to manage.
most of the runs i can't find a complete strategy to reach the first island maxed out in hps, luck is essential here and that's an excellent thing... still don't understand that "areas" thing, also how those numbers on the islands affect every trip (they mean the ship integrity only, or also the kind of enemy/prizes/loot we will meet/buy? i mean, if i choose everytime the lower one, what changes?), and that percentage on select zone screen means only the runs played/bosses beaten or it includes also iAPs/achievements/relics and cards looted/etc?

 

After about 20 attempts, I am now consistently beating the first boss, typically the second, and yet to survive the 3rd. I've earned just over 1k gold and 500 repute.

I've definitely honed my approach to deck building and map navigation and am consistently averaging 125 gold per run now.

With 4k left to go to unlock area two, it does seem like a long grind ahead, but then again, I've yet to fully complete area 1 which may earn a enough to close the gap quickly.

 

Also I got the “Golden cup” relic it’s description is “Looks valuable” so I sold it for 250 coins which equates to quite a big amount. That helped me beat the second boss as well cause I got to upgrade a card and get some health

 

It sounds like people keep confusing gold and coins.

If you can buy gold to unlock a bunch of the game that’s not much different from just paying $10 or whatever for the game in the first place, which seems reasonable.

 

I’m never 100% sure what a “money grab” is, but if you mean that their goal is to make more than $0.69 per player, yes, I think that’s definitely true. But buying gold to unlock content is no different from just paying to unlock content.

 

There’s a difference. I’d prefer it to be a transparent IAP to unlock content. Juggling multiple currencies just feels sleazy. But I guess I just prefer games that are more upfront about it.

 

What’s the point of AP exactly. I mean, if an area costs more AP to visit does it have a chance to yield better rewards?

Also are all ‘battle’ zones the same or are the icons different for a reason? Like elites and regular enemies?

 

Oh another thing. I haven’t been able to beat the stage 3 boss fight yet but I think that’s the last stage? There’s only achievements for up to stage 3 then it’s per hero, so my deduction is that it’s over after 3 which would be fine since you’re pretty spent by the time you get there

 

+1.

And one of the core distinctions between IAP-reliant and premium games tends to be the difficulty curve. Is gameplay going to be skewed to nudge people towards IAPs? And, if so, to what extent?

Pure f2p nightmares have a never-ending grindcurve, that systematically frustrates or disadvantages people who don't put out extra. I'm sure pretty much everyone (else) here who's premium-only these days has had repeated, vexatious experiences of similar.

So, yeah. If I spend £3 on an exp and reputation doubler, what's next? That's what I don't like knowing (and that's why I haven't bought it) - at what point do I have the 'complete experience'? Or a difficulty curve that isn't skewed towards pushing me into this IAP. Then that one. Then that one.

@gmattergames is netting $125 per run. Great. How long are those runs, and how soon will those 40 runs (to the first island unlock) be through? It's... just a bad message. That anyone's even having to post about how much dual currency they're earning, and how it's a mere 40 [x minute] runs to having 5,000, and how that's a good thing, is... bleh.

 

Ok guys I finally BEAT IT with gunner. Here’s my opinions, since that’s what we’re here for:

1. I ended up fighting the Pirate as a Stage 3 boss and he had a treasure chest behind him that had 100 hp. It didn’t do anything and I debated hard if to kill it or not. I chose not to thinking maybe I would get the chest but the battle ended and I think I should’ve killed it...
2. The Gold and Repute I got ARE with the doubler I bought. So I guess half that for a normal run? With all the heroes combined costing 21k gold and the levels costing 10k gold that’s 31k gold required for an “alchemist free” completion. That is kinda scary. It took me probably 10-15 runs to get this finish (which netted me about 1k Gold and 420 repute) so we’ll see going forward how consistent I can be. The unlocks could take quite a while to get BUT I’m now at 10% for the first island for what it’s worth so I’m sure there’s a TON of more cards and content to unlock.
3. The game is really fun as hell!! I wish the dev would’ve just made it premium unlock model somehow but it is what it is.
4. Would be curious if the other levels we can go to have more stages but I doubt it. Would be cool to see an endless mode somehow as well.

Hope this helps and you’ll don’t rip me for my opinion.

 

So people are complaining that if they could unlock expansion content for $5 that would be fine, but if they can use the same $5 to buy gold that then they can unlock content with, that’s “sleazy”? Come on.

As for the game, it does seem pretty derivative of Slay the Spire, but with more variety at the cost of balance perhaps.

 

Just beat the 3rd boss with the doubler and also got 500 gold and 250 repute. The doubler also comes with 5000 gold, used 1k of that to buy the second character and the other to unlock the second island. Enjoying it so far, will see what rewards are like there.

Also if you run out of AP you have a chance of your boat sinking, which happened to me once.

 

Also I killed the chest and it gave me “gem” cards that worked as buffs.