It’s been several months since rumors about a FromSoftware pirate game first made the rounds online, yet it’s still nowhere to be seen. Fans of pirates have plenty of options when it comes to video games to be fair: Sea of Thieves still gets support, Skull and Bones is the little engine that could, and the iconic Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag recently got a strong remake. Some games are also still in some stage of development, like the colorful Sea of Remnants.
That said, players wanting a pirate soulslike game are no closer to getting it, at least from renowned developer FromSoftware. And since FromSoft’s pirate soulslike game may or may not actually exist, it’s worth giving some attention to an already announced game that should tick a lot of the same boxes: Keelblade.
While Keelblade may be an indie soulslike game, meaning it lacks the pedigree that some others have to lean on, there have been plenty of solid soulslike games that have come out of nowhere in recent years. Keelblade has the potential to follow suit when it releases in 2027, as it’s not just an array of fog walls and challenging bosses, but also features some survival crafting mechanics to master. Steam players won’t just level up their protagonist, but their ship, too, and said ship can house up to six total players for co-op adventuring. With the co-op being seamless as opposed to having restrictions like in a lot of FromSoftware classics, Keelblade even has an advantage over titles made by the biggest names in the genre, adding to its potential.
Keelblade Features, Release Date, and More
- RELEASES in 2027
- CREATE your character and PLAY solo or with up to 5 other gamers.
- FIGHT a wide range of enemies using different weapons and abilities, with dodging, defense breaks, and parries creating a soulslike flow.
- BUILD directly on your ship’s deck, turning it into a shelter, kitchen, workshop, or storage space.
- UNLOCK new ways to play by discovering new recipes and resources while adventuring.
- BOSSES can be encountered within the open world, with harder versions able to be fought via a Challenge Mode.
Sail across a fantasy world in your own pirate ship. Master souls-like combat and powerful magic to hunt deadly bosses. Discover new islands and loot them for hidden treasures to craft upgrades for both you and your ship.
Keelblade’s Combat and Enemies Should Have Soulslike Fans Feeling Right at Home
One of the most appealing things about the rumored FromSoftware pirate game is the idea of traveling to various islands that feel as detailed as the other locations the iconic studio is known for, as this would be a natural evolution of Elden Ring’s open-world design. Fortunately, Keelblade will be providing just that, as players will be sailing between islands, looting each for resources and treasures that will improve their ship or their created character. And in between that looting and sailing, players can expect a whole lot of soulslike combat (if teetering on soulslite).
With the soulslike genre growing to be incredibly popular, practically everyone knows how action is approached in the games that are given that label. Keelblade players can expect a ton of enemy varieties, with trolls and giant crabs being the tip of the iceberg. To conquer them, groups will have to rely on dodging, rolling, parrying, and defensive breaks, with good positioning and smart decision-making whenever there are attack windows being essential. There are plenty of different builds available, too, with players able to customize weapons, equipment, talents, and abilities to either be the tank or support of their group.
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As can be expected from the best soulslike games in the genre, some intense boss fights with named, red health bar entities will be offered in Keelblade. These battles will really test players’ skills, and a few have been showcased already. Examples include a cannon-wielding, humanoid sea creature named Pete and a disturbing, dog-like shark that’s full of harpoons. The game will also offer a dragon that unleashes fire on the players’ ship, with the animation resembling that of Demon’s Souls’ Red Dragon. After they’re defeated, foes like this can be fought again in a separate Challenge mode, adding harsher conditions to the encounter. With plenty of bosses seemingly spread throughout the open-world game, as well as some properly soulslike NPCs like a giant turtle blacksmith, Keelblade seems to tick the most important boxes.
Keelblade’s Smooth Co-Op and Ship Customization Have Big Sea of Thieves Vibes
Keelblade also flexes the smoothness of its co-op, as it’s far more comparable to something like Sea of Thieves than what’s seen in the work of FromSoftware. In Keelblade, players won’t be relying on summon signs, as there’s no need to reconnect after each death or boss battle. There’s no tethering, either; if one or two players want to explore an island while the others sail off to another location, they can do so, simply regrouping further down the road. And perhaps best of all (and most like Sea of Thieves), the entire group will progress at the same time instead of individually. With no tethers, no need to stand around waiting for random co-op partners to join, and shared quest progress, Keelblade’s co-op system seems ideal.
One of the many appealing parts of Sea of Thieves is filling each level of the ship with collectible decorations and customizing the cannons, masts, signs, and more. In Keelblade, players won’t just change the look of their ship, but its functionality. Using wood chopped from trees while out exploring, as well as other resources and blueprints found on the islands, players will be able to build freely on their ship’s deck. If they want to fill it with storage, turn it into a workshop, or make it a homey shelter for rest, they’ll be free to do so. Being able to hunt down new ship options in addition to alternate armor and weaponry for the player character should keep exploration satisfying. With open-world pirate adventuring and combat so challenging that it earns the game the soulslike label, Keelblade will likely appeal to a wide range of co-op groups.
