Ocean Keeper: TouchArcade's Game of the Week

One of the things I truly enjoy in gaming is when developers manage to seamlessly blend two distinct gameplay styles into a single, engaging experience. Think of classics like the *Blaster Master* series, which combines vehicle-based side-scrolling platforming with intriguing top-down on-foot segments, or recent gems like *Dave the Diver*, which cleverly merges roguelike diving with restaurant management. *Ocean Keeper* by RetroStyle Games is another such title that excels at integrating two different mechanics into an addictive gameplay loop that keeps you hooked.

In *Ocean Keeper*, you find yourself crash-landed on an enigmatic underwater planet, piloting a massive mech. Your mission? Dive into underwater caves to gather resources, but time is of the essence as enemy waves are on their way. The mining segments unfold in a side-view perspective, where you dig through rocks to uncover various resources and special artifacts. Interestingly, mining also rewards you with coins. However, you only have a limited time to mine before the enemies arrive. Once you're back in your mech, the game shifts to a top-down twin-stick shooter with elements of tower defense, as you fend off multiple waves of bizarre aquatic creatures.

All the resources you collect are used to enhance both your miner and your mech, with a wide array of branching skill trees for each. As a roguelike, if you perish during the combat phase, your current run ends, and you'll lose any upgrades or abilities you've unlocked in that session. Yet, the game offers persistent upgrades and customizations between runs, ensuring a sense of continual progress even after tough losses. The layouts of the overworld and caves vary with each playthrough, adding to the game's replayability.

It's worth noting that *Ocean Keeper* may feel slow at the outset, and you might encounter some challenging runs initially. But stick with it—once you start unlocking upgrades and honing your skills, the game's pace quickens, and you'll get a better handle on its rhythm. Soon, you'll transform into a formidable underwater mech warrior. The synergy between weapons and upgrades is at the core of *Ocean Keeper*, and experimenting with various builds and strategies is endlessly engaging. I was initially unsure about this game due to its slow start, but once it gains momentum, it's hard to tear myself away from it.