TouchArcade Game of the Week: ‘Ocean Keeper’

One aspect I particularly enjoy in gaming is when developers manage to seamlessly integrate two distinct gameplay styles into one unified experience. Think of classics like the *Blaster Master* series, which masterfully combines vehicle-based side-scrolling action with engaging top-down on-foot segments. Or consider the recent hit, *Dave the Diver*, which blends roguelike diving adventures with restaurant management. In a similar vein, *Ocean Keeper* from RetroStyle Games is another shining example of this successful fusion, offering a compelling gameplay loop and an engaging upgrade system that keeps you hooked session after session.

In *Ocean Keeper*, you find yourself crash-landed on an alien underwater world, piloting a formidable mech. Your mission involves diving into underwater caverns to gather resources, but time is of the essence as enemy waves are on the horizon, and you must return to your mech to defend against them. The resource-gathering segments are viewed from a side perspective, where you dig through rocks to uncover various resources and artifacts, earning coins in the process. However, your mining time is limited before the enemy onslaught begins. Once back in your mech, the gameplay shifts to a top-down twin-stick shooter with elements of tower defense, as you battle waves of bizarre aquatic foes.

The resources you collect are crucial for upgrading both your mining gear and your mech. The game features extensive branching skill trees for both, ensuring a deep customization experience. As a roguelike, if you fall during the combat phase, your current run ends, and you'll lose any temporary upgrades or abilities. However, *Ocean Keeper* includes persistent upgrades and customizations that can be unlocked between runs, creating a sense of continuous progress even after less successful attempts. Additionally, the game's world and cave layouts change with each playthrough, keeping the experience fresh and unpredictable.

It's worth noting that *Ocean Keeper* can feel slow-paced at the start, and you might encounter some challenging runs initially. But stick with it—once you start accumulating upgrades, honing your skills, and mastering the game's rhythm, you'll transform into a formidable underwater mech warrior. The synergy between different weapons and upgrades forms the core of the game, making it incredibly rewarding to experiment with various builds and strategies. While I was initially uncertain about *Ocean Keeper* due to its slow start, the game's engaging depth and progression have made it hard to put down once it gets going.