
Maelstrom has three types of ammunition: Iron shot, chain shot, and grape shot. We'll dive right into a few gameplay mechanics. Neato! If you're not happy with the ship you've chosen, it's quite easy to unlock others, so don't panic. So you've done the tutorial and picked your first ship.

I hope you find this useful and helpful to your understanding of the game.] The idea is to cover basic mechanics and aspects of the game, along with a few general strategies. Some basic mechanics are explained in detail so you don't have to determine them by testing it yourself. It assumes you've done the tutorial, read some of the loading screen tips and tricks, looked at some of the in-game wiki entries, and know (or will figure out on your own) about boons, ship hardpoints, and the like. Solo and multiplayer: AI captains are capable opponents who offer no quarterĪs the stretch for additional features continues, players can now pick up Maelstrom from Steam’s Early Access store for around USD $10.[I'm gonna start this guide off in the most interesting way possible: a disclaimer.Brains & brawn: positional damage, ammo types, and special captain abilities.Aye aye cap’n: Pick a captain and crew that fit your combat style.Fast-paced action: use cannons, ramming and boarding to sink opponents.Master the open sea: power up your ship with loot from sinking enemy ships.Tactical naval combat: survive a magical ocean and its deadly creatures.Maelstrom’s latest press release pointed out the following features: Customization continues it with up to three crew mates offering stat boosts, a captain providing a signature special ability, and a number of feature choices which can change how the cannons work to providing a speed or maneuverability advantage. Players will also be able to choose one of nine ships available before each battle, each with different strengths, weaknesses, and passive abilities. Gunpowder Games Lead Developer Blaine Smith said: “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!”


Maelstrom was originally intended to be funded out of a Kickstarter campaign that was shortly shutdown by Gundpowder for lack of backers, only to start over and finally succeeding in raising their intended amount of money (USD $10,000). “As more players sink, the monster infested ‘Dead Waters’ encroach on the outer areas of the map, reducing the play area and forcing a climactic showdown”, explained Gunpowder Games through their latest press release. Each time a ship is sunk, its loot will float up to the surface waiting to be collected. Maelstrom seems to follow all of those as it puts in command of pirate-like ships in a free-for-all PvP or PvE Battle Royale experience with some peculiar and really interesting features like sea monsters that rise from the deapths to feed on the players as less of them remain alive.Įach player will start the game on the outskirts of the map, having to sink other player’s or NPC’s ships in order to collect loot containing powerups, useful items and treasure.

Gunpowder Games is an indie studio integrated by industry veterans that have worked in huge gaming companies like Riot Games, Blizzard and Sony, that came together under the premise of “creating games that are engaging, thought provoking, highly competitive and addictive”. As of today, players can purchase it for around USD $10 with a 10% discount price. Independent studio Gunpowder Games announced today the release of the Steam’s Early Access version of the their naval battle-royale game, Maelstrom.
