Among the most eagerly awaited releases I covered last year, one that truly stood out was the upcoming Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage. The original Pirates Outlaws captivated players with its stylish, swashbuckling roguelike deckbuilding experience at a time when the genre was still burgeoning. Now, its sequel is set to launch in Q3 of this year, promising an even more thrilling adventure on the high seas.

In Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage, players are transported back to New Elysia, embarking on another exhilarating journey across the ocean waves. The game kicks off by allowing you to select a character, a class ability, and a starting deck, setting the stage for your epic voyage.

One of the exciting new features is the ability to choose from multiple characters, each with seven class options. This lets you tailor your deck to your preferred playstyle. Additionally, you can recruit an animal companion that adds further strategic depth to your battles. The game introduces enhanced turn-based combat and a new card evolution tree, providing you with a wide array of weapons to conquer the sea.

Run out the guns
Pirates Outlaws 2 promises to be a significantly expanded sequel, offering players the freedom to navigate back and forth across the map. This flexibility, combined with the numerous permutations and combinations of cards and characters, ensures a highly customizable and engaging experience. For those on PC, an upcoming Steam demo will be your first opportunity to dive into Pirates Outlaws 2 and experience its depth firsthand.

While the animations in the reveal trailer appeared somewhat static to me, I understand the challenges involved in fully animating these intricate illustrations. I'm hopeful that the final release will feature more dynamic effects when it launches on mobile later this year, enhancing the overall visual appeal.

To stay ahead of the curve and keep up with the latest in gaming, why not check out our regular weekly feature, Ahead of the Game? It's the perfect way to stay informed and prepared for exciting releases like Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage.