While the soulslike genre is unsurprisingly synonymous with FromSoftware’s grim yet grand fantasy titles, some developers have put a unique spin on it over the years. We’ve had a Pinocchio soulslike, an FPS soulslike, and even a crab soulslike. Now, get ready for Mark of the Deep, a beautifully brutal pirate-themed take on the ever-iconic genre.
Though the list of the best soulslike games is undeniably dominated by its progenitor, that’s not to say there isn’t stiff competition. That’s where Mark of the Deep comes in, finally giving us not just a new pirate game (a remarkably small genre) but a pirate soulslike. It’s a match made in heaven, is it not?
Developed by Mad Mimic in Brazil, Mark of the Deep combines the fast-paced, mobile action of Hades with the exploration of soulslike and metroidvania games. You play as Marcus ‘Rookie’ Ramsey, a fresh-faced pirate searching for his lost crew. Lost where exactly? A cursed island, of course, the subject of many a pirate myth about cults, the Leviathan, and immortality.
You can expect the story to be much more prominent than your usual soulslike fare, with fully-voiced NPCs to chat to, a hub world, and more. In fact, Mark of the Deep features multiple endings and quests that could see even your allies walking the plank, offering a rich first playthrough and opportunities to come back for more.
While hunting for your crew and figuring out how to break the curse, you’ll unlock new abilities like a dash, grappling hook, and groundpound that not only change how you fight, but also unlock new biomes to plunder. Naturally, the combat won’t be smooth sailing. You’ll face off against over 80 enemies and 16 bosses that will test your mastery, from cursed creatures to undead monsters and the cultists behind the island’s mystery.
Mark of the Deep releases in January 2025 on Steam and Epic Games. There’s a demo available right now that will give you a taste of what to expect from the full package.
With its stunning visuals, fast-paced action, and a branching narrative, this indie game has the potential to become one of the best action-adventure games, especially for fans of the depressingly small pirate genre. You’ve got time for one more Black Flag replay, though.
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