TouchArcade Game of the Week: ‘Ocean Keeper’

One of the joys of gaming is experiencing a title that masterfully combines two distinct gameplay styles into a seamless experience. Think of classics like the *Blaster Master* series, with its vehicle-based side-scrolling and top-down on-foot segments, or recent hits like *Dave the Diver*, which merges roguelike diving with restaurant management. *Ocean Keeper* from RetroStyle Games is another gem in this category, blending diverse mechanics into an addictive gameplay loop that keeps you coming back for more.

In *Ocean Keeper*, you find yourself stranded on an alien underwater planet, piloting a formidable mech. Your mission is to dive into underwater caves to gather resources, but time is of the essence as waves of enemies are on the approach. The mining segments are viewed from the side, where you dig through rocks to uncover various resources and artifacts, earning coins in the process. The clock is ticking, though, and you must return to your mech before the enemies arrive. Once back, the game shifts to a top-down twin-stick shooter with elements of tower defense, as you battle waves of bizarre aquatic creatures.

The resources you collect fuel upgrades for both your miner and mech, and you'll navigate through extensive, branching skill trees for each. As a roguelike, a single mistake during enemy encounters can end your run, erasing any upgrades you've gained. However, the game features persistent upgrades and customizations that you can unlock between runs, ensuring that you always feel like you're making progress, even after a tough loss. Additionally, the layouts of the overworld and caves change with each playthrough, adding to the game's replayability.

It's worth noting that *Ocean Keeper* can feel slow at the start, and you might encounter some challenging runs early on. Stick with it, though, and you'll soon find the upgrades coming more frequently, your skills improving, and a better understanding of the game's rhythm. Before you know it, you'll be an unstoppable force in your underwater mech. The synergy between different weapons and upgrades forms the core of the game, making it immensely enjoyable to experiment with various builds and strategies. While *Ocean Keeper* might seem uncertain at first due to its slow start, once it picks up, it becomes a hard game to put down.