Review: Ship of Fools

I’ll admit it – I’m fashionably late to this particular party. Ship of Fools sailed onto Xbox over two years ago, but it wasn’t until a mate insisted I give it a go that I finally took the plunge. “Trust me,” they said, “it’s brilliant fun.” Reader, they were absolutely right.

Setting Sail into Chaos

Ship of Fools drops you into the Archipelago, a region under threat from the ominously named “Aquapocalypse” – a corrupting storm that brings all manner of nautical nightmares with it. You play as one of the Fools, the only souls brave (or daft) enough to venture out on the treacherous waters aboard your trusty vessel, The Stormstrider.

The premise is delightfully simple: navigate through hexagonal map tiles, fight off waves of sea monsters, and try not to let your ship become driftwood. It’s a roguelite, meaning each run starts fresh, but you’ll carry over progression in the form of upgrades and unlocks that make subsequent attempts that bit easier.

Cannon Fodder and Strategic Sailing

Combat is where Ship of Fools truly shines. Your ship comes equipped with two cannons that you can pick up and reposition to defend against attacks from both port and starboard. Playing solo, one cannon operates on autopilot whilst you man the other, frantically loading ammunition and blasting away at everything from explosive owls to massive spider crabs.

The variety of ammo types keeps things interesting – standard cannonballs are just the beginning. My personal favourite? Bird eggs. Yes, you read that correctly. You can have birds perched on your deck laying explosive eggs for you to fire at enemies. It’s as wonderfully bonkers as it sounds, and collecting multiple birds to ensure a steady supply became my go-to strategy.

When enemies get too close for cannon comfort, you’ve got a trusty oar for melee combat. You can whack creatures that land on your ship or time a charged spin to deflect projectiles back at your attackers. It’s satisfying stuff, though when the action gets properly hectic, I found the controls could feel a bit muddled – particularly when trying to hop back on a cannon whilst your deck is littered with items.

Choices, Choices Everywhere

Each run presents you with a branching path across the map, with symbols indicating what awaits on each tile. Do you risk venturing towards that tempting trinket, or play it safe and stock up on planks for ship repairs? The everlasting storm creeps closer with each turn, adding pressure to every decision.

I lost count of how many times my greed got the better of me, chasing after one more piece of loot only to meet a watery grave. But that’s part of the charm – Ship of Fools constantly presents these risk-reward scenarios that keep you engaged and thinking strategically.

Progress Through Peril

Back at The Great Lighthouse (your hub area), you can spend tendrils earned during runs on permanent upgrades. These range from starting with extra lives to improving your cannon damage, and watching your capabilities grow over time is properly addictive. I found myself thinking “just one more run” far too often, eager to see how my new upgrades would fare against the increasingly challenging seas.

The game features over 100 trinkets and artefacts to discover, each offering different buffs and synergies. Finding combinations that work well together becomes a mini-game in itself, and the randomised nature of loot drops ensures no two runs feel exactly the same.

Better Together

Whilst I primarily played solo, Ship of Fools really comes alive in co-op. The game supports both local and online multiplayer, and having a human partner makes the frantic combat much more manageable – and hilarious. There’s something special about the chaos of shouting at your mate to “GET THE CANNON!” whilst a kamikaze pufferfish bears down on your ship.

A Visual Treat

The hand-drawn art style is absolutely gorgeous, giving the game a unique charm that sets it apart from other roguelites. Characters are adorable (Todd the frog quickly became my favourite), enemies are delightfully grotesque, and watching your Fool jump for joy after each victory never gets old. The swashbuckling soundtrack perfectly complements the action, though I could’ve done without the squelchy footstep sounds that seemed unnecessarily loud amidst the chaos.

The Bottom Line

At £12.99, Ship of Fools offers tremendous value for money. Yes, it’s been out for a while, but that just means you’re getting a polished experience with additional content already available (including The Great Lighthouse update). The game strikes that perfect balance of being easy to pick up but challenging to master, with enough variety to keep you coming back for “just one more run.”

My only real gripe is that once you’ve beaten all four regions, there’s not masses left to do beyond perfecting your runs and trying different character combinations. But honestly? For the price point and the hours of entertainment I’ve already squeezed out of it, that’s a minor complaint.

Ship of Fools proves that sometimes the best games are the ones you discover late. It’s addictive, charming, and offers some of the most enjoyable co-op chaos on Xbox. If you’ve been sleeping on this one like I was, do yourself a favour and set sail – you won’t regret it.