Naval combat game Maelstrom launches on Steam Early Access
By Mike de Leon
Posted on April 11, 2018
The fast-paced naval combat game Maelstrom is now available on Steam Early Access. The game will launch for $19.99, but also has a 10% discount for those that purchase during the launch week. Developed by Gunpowder Games (how fitting), Maelstrom was very recently a success on Kickstarter, and only a couple weeks later it is now ready for Steam Early Access.
Maelstrom is focused on multiplayer, whether you are playing against others online or bots (you won't earn rewards when playing against bots). The large map size provides plenty of hidden locations to sneak up on your enemies. Large fog banks conceal your position, but watch out for giant sea monsters and the deadly maelstroms. By sinking other warships, you'll collected treasure and boons. These items are located precisely around the destroyed ship, but are up for grabs for any nearby ship. Boons are simply power-ups that provide combat bonuses for the rest of the match. As the match progresses and ships are sinking to the bottom of Davy Jones' Locker, the play area shrinks, forcing players to converge for a "climactic showdown."
We’re stoked to finally turn the game loose and see how players react to the monsters and chaos of 16 warships trying to outwit each other, trading broadsides and blasting the bits off each other in battle!
Blaine Smith, Lead Developer Gunpowder Games
You won't instantly die if you enter the "dead waters", but you'll soon face the wrath of the beats that lurk under the waters if you linger too long. Rewards are given out based on your performance; gold collected, bounties collected by sinking other ships, and how long you survived. New ships and upgrade options can be purchased with gold, but captains and shipmates will only become available once you earn enough infamy.
Maestrom is currently available on Steam Early Access for $19.99, but is offering a 10% discount during the launch week.
