TouchArcade Game of the Week: ‘Ocean Keeper’

One of the most exciting aspects of gaming is when developers successfully merge two distinct gameplay styles into a seamless experience. Think of classics like the *Blaster Master* series, which combines vehicle-based side-scrolling action with engaging top-down on-foot exploration. Or consider a modern hit like *Dave the Diver*, which intertwines roguelike diving adventures with restaurant management. *Ocean Keeper* by RetroStyle Games is another title that masterfully blends different mechanics, creating a compelling gameplay loop and upgrade system that keeps players hooked.

In *Ocean Keeper*, you find yourself stranded on an alien underwater planet, piloting a formidable mech. Your mission involves diving into underwater caves to harvest resources, but time is of the essence as enemy waves are on the approach, necessitating a swift return to your mech for defense. The mining segments are presented in a side-view format where you dig through rocks to uncover various resources and artifacts, also earning coins in the process. However, you have a limited time to mine before the enemies arrive. Once back in your mech, the gameplay shifts to a top-down twin-stick shooter with elements of tower defense, challenging you to fend off waves of bizarre underwater creatures.

The resources you gather are crucial for upgrading both your mining equipment and your mech. *Ocean Keeper* features extensive branching skill trees for both, offering a variety of upgrades to explore. As a roguelike game, death during the enemy encounters means the end of your current run, and you'll lose any upgrades or abilities gained during that session. Yet, the game includes persistent upgrades and customizations that you can unlock between runs, ensuring that you feel a sense of progress even after a challenging run. Additionally, the game's overworld and cave layouts change with each new playthrough, adding to the replayability.

It's worth noting that *Ocean Keeper* may feel slow at the start, and you might encounter some tough runs early on. However, perseverance pays off as the upgrades begin to accumulate, your skills sharpen, and you get a better handle on the game's rhythm. Soon, you'll find yourself transforming into a formidable underwater mech warrior. The synergy between different weapons and upgrades is at the core of *Ocean Keeper*, and experimenting with various builds and strategies is incredibly engaging. Initially, I had my doubts about the game due to its slow start, but once it gained momentum, it became difficult to pull myself away from it.