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Ship of Fools

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 • 2022

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Quick resume

Ship of Fools is a seafaring cooperative roguelite. Set sail, man the cannons and battle sea monsters through the tempestuous seas of the Archipelago. Are you fool enough to stop the Aquapocalypse?

Global score

82/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Adventure, Strategy

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging two-player cooperative gameplay
    • Charming art style and music
    • Good skill-based challenge and progression
    • Fun character and item variety
    • Strong social bonding experience

    Cons

    • Limited content and short game length
    • Lack of difficulty scaling or endgame modes
    • Some bugs and interface quirks
    • No online matchmaking beyond friend invites
    • No save system or multiple save files

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Fellowship. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players can choose characters, upgrade ships, select paths on a map, and decide on item builds, showing strong control over actions and decisions."

    • Competence
      4

      "The game requires skillful coordination, timing, and mastery of mechanics to overcome challenging bosses and enemy waves."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is on cooperative play with a friend rather than competing against others; no mention of ranked modes or leaderboards."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players report addictive gameplay and desire to keep playing despite the game's short length; some frustration with limited content."

    • Cooperation
      5

      "Core gameplay centers on two-player cooperation, requiring coordination, communication, and teamwork to succeed."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players customize builds with various cannons, artifacts, and characters; some desire for more ship customization and content."

    • Domination
      -4

      "Emphasis on equal partnership and mutual coordination; no indications of exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a fun, lighthearted distraction and social bonding experience, escaping real-life stress."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social reasons, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Players try different characters, item synergies, cannon types, and strategies to find effective builds and playstyles."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Players navigate a hex-based map with different nodes and encounters, though map variety and enemy types are somewhat limited."

    • Expression
      2

      "Some character variety and unlocks provide self-expression, but limited customization options noted; no deep avatar personalization."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Game features imaginative sea monsters, whimsical characters, and roguelite fantasy elements with a cartoonish art style."

    • Fellowship
      5

      "Strong sense of community and shared experience through cooperative gameplay and social interaction with friends."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players learn game mechanics, boss patterns, and improve coordination over repeated runs, gaining skill and knowledge."

    • Health
      -5

      "No physical activity or health-related features; typical sedentary gaming experience."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires continuous attention and active multitasking during combat and ship management."

    • Intimacy
      4

      "Players form close social bonds and enjoy shared experiences with friends or partners during cooperative play."

    • Leadership
      -2

      "Gameplay emphasizes shared responsibility and coordination rather than one player leading or directing others."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players accumulate upgrades, unlock characters, items, and ship improvements that enhance power and capabilities."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "While fun and engaging, the game is often described as hectic and challenging rather than purely relaxing."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Enjoyable art style, animations, and music provide sensory pleasure and emotional fun."

    • Status
      -3

      "No emphasis on social recognition or leaderboards; focus is on personal and cooperative enjoyment."

    • Story
      1

      "Some narrative elements and lore exist but are minimal; gameplay is the main focus."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Players plan routes, item builds, and coordinate tactics to overcome challenges and bosses."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Game provides moments of tension and excitement during chaotic combat and boss fights."

    • Value
      3

      "Players feel the game offers good entertainment value for price, though some desire more content."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat involves shooting cannons and melee attacks against enemies, with destruction as a core mechanic."

    • Survival
      4

      "Players must manage ship health, avoid damage, and survive waves of enemies and bosses."

    Last update: 29/04/2026