Maelstrom
" Engaging naval battle royale with strategic depth but a small player base and bugs "
Maelstrom Review
Maelstrom is a pirate-themed battle royale game featuring fast-paced naval combat with 15-player matches on shrinking maps. Players control one of nine unique ships across three races—Humans, Orcs, and Dwarves—each catering to different playstyles such as tanking, ramming, or sniping. The game offers a variety of upgrades through captains, crew mates, and ship modifications, adding strategic depth and customization.
Players praise the game's polished early access state, smooth gameplay, and well-balanced combat mechanics. The visuals are detailed and immersive, complemented by fitting music and sound effects. Matchmaking is generally quick, and the community is friendly and active on Discord. While the player base remains small, developers remain engaged, regularly updating and responding to feedback.
However, the game suffers from a low population leading to frequent bot matches, limited game modes, and some balancing issues—particularly with Orc ships and boarding mechanics. Despite these drawbacks, Maelstrom is considered a hidden gem with strong potential and enjoyable naval PvP action.
Highlights
Players highly praise Maelstrom's engaging naval battle royale gameplay with diverse ships and playstyles. The graphics and map design are detailed and atmospheric, creating an immersive maritime world. The game's progression system with captains, crew, and upgrades adds strategic customization. The soundtrack and effects enhance the experience, and matchmaking is smooth with short queue times. Developers are active and responsive, fostering a positive community and steady improvements.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the small player base causing many matches to fill with AI bots, reducing the multiplayer experience. Limited game modes (mostly battle royale) and maps restrict variety. Some players find the boarding mechanics overpowered and frustrating, leading to unbalanced combat. There are occasional bugs and connectivity issues, and the UI and interface could be improved. The game is still early access, so content and polish are evolving but currently somewhat limited.
Pros
- • Engaging and fast-paced naval battle royale gameplay with strategic depth.
- • Nine unique ships across three races catering to varied playstyles.
- • Detailed and immersive graphics with well-designed maps.
- • Smooth matchmaking with generally short queue times.
- • Active and responsive developers committed to community feedback.
- • Progression system with captains, crew, and ship upgrades.
- • High-quality soundtrack and fitting sound effects.
Cons
- • Small player base leading to frequent AI bot matches.
- • Limited game modes and maps reduce gameplay variety.
- • Boarding mechanics considered overpowered and frustrating by some.
- • Occasional bugs, crashes, and connectivity issues persist.
- • User interface and menu system need improvement.
- • Some balance issues, particularly with Orc ships and certain tactics.
- • Early access status means content and polish are incomplete.
Rating Criteria
Screenshots
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Maelstrom released?
Maelstrom was released on September 20, 2019.
Who developed Maelstrom?
Maelstrom was developed by Gunpowder Games, Inc., Tideturners.
Is Maelstrom available on Mac?
No, Maelstrom is not currently available on Mac according to our data.
Is Maelstrom available on Linux?
No, Maelstrom is not currently available on Linux according to our data.
Where can I buy Maelstrom?
You can buy Maelstrom on Steam.
Game Details
Command the seas in Maelstrom! Engage in fast-paced naval battles with powerful warships and colossal sea monsters. Customize your fleet and dominate the Abyssal Ocean. Are you ruthless enough to survive?