Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 77 | 37 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 82% | 76 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 88% | 81 | 410 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Feb 20, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 410 total reviews in window · weighted 182.5 up / 26 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (35)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Ship of Fools is meant to be played co-op, either locally or online. The artwork is gorgeous, and the gameplay is fun and intense. You can play this one solo, but eventually, you'll feel overwhelmed. If you and a friend are looking for a challenge, this one is for you.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“If you’re up for testing the strength of friendship, or even a relationship, Ship of Fools puts you in the challenging role of world-savers through a cooperative video game. But don’t expect heroes in shiny armor wielding greatswords and accompanied by a large entourage. In Ship of Fools, you’ll become fools crazy enough to face the darkness itself in this rogue-lite game, clear the restless seas of dangerous monsters, and scoop up the treasure. Highly entertaining gameplay, a charming art style, and the ability to smack your companion with a paddle are the highlights that will keep you entertained from start to finish. It’s just a shame that the end comes too soon and no further updates await you.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“How much you'll enjoy Ship of Fools comes down to whether or not you have someone to play with. If you do have a friend that enjoys roguelikes and/or tower defence - and has a penchant for sea shanties - then we can guarantee Ship of Fools will give you a handful of hours of frantic fun. And if you have few friends but enjoy this addictive genre, you might eke out enough nautical miles whacking giant crab bosses with your paddle while enjoying the endearing presentation to warrant jumping onboard. Co-op is where it's at, though, so make sure you enlist a mate for this voyage.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Ship of Fools is truly fun and an incredible debut for the team at Fika Games.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Ship of Fools is a beautifully drawn sea-faring roguelike with a play style that will keep you coming back for more, long after beating the final boss. With a derpy cast of characters, an awesome soundtrack and hectic cannon-fire action, it’s a game that’s tonnes of fun on your own but is even better with a friend. It would have a higher score if it weren’t for some performance issues, but some noticeable slow down on the Switch version and annoying bugginess in the online co-op mode acts like an albatross around the neck, keeping it from sailing into the sunset entirely victorious.”
read full review ↗ - 81
“While only ideal playing with a friend, Ship of Fools manages to be both simple and complex… and compelling”
read full review ↗ - 85
“What Fika Production has achieved with Ship of Fools is far from obvious, namely to reinvent itself in a genre that has taken a lot of space in the last few years. The game will catch you by its presentation as well as its frenzied rhythm during the games. If you can play it with two people, it's even better. But the adventure itself is worth the effort if you like roguelike games. And that's good because I love it. If that's the case for you, there's no reason not to fall in love with Ship of Fools!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I really enjoyed my time with Ship of Fools. It plays well solo but really comes into its own in co-op. For maximum effectiveness, I definitely suggest teaming up with someone you have a good rapport with. Quick thinking and fluid teamwork will be key to your success at sea.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Ship of Fools is the kind of game that works well in bite-sized chunks and with a friend in tow. The chaotic nature of fights lends itself better to two players rather than one, while the start/stop nature of the combat flow works wonders to prevent the whole thing from feeling like a slog. It doesn't necessarily bring anything new to the genre, but it produces some solid fun. It could use more polish online and more bosses to fight, but it is enjoyable for genre fans who are looking for something to play with a friend.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“This nautical roguelike is chaotic, frantic and sometimes frustrating if you’re on your own. There’re too many variables in the trinkets/weaponry via RNG to squander your enjoyment and an AI that can feel unfair at times. But with a co-captain, there’s some treasure to be had, and a presentation that could cure scurvy.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Ship of Fools is an enjoyable and charming co-op game that has players working together to rid The Forgotten Waters of the sea monsters taking it over. It's a little short, with some slower loading times on the Steam Deck using the dock, but it's one of the most fun co-op games I've played in a while!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Whilst multiplayer games are plentiful, it's still surprisingly difficult to find decent two-player local co-op games. Thankfully, with Ship of Fools, you and a friend don't need to worry, as you'll be happily blasting sea-beasts for hours, days, weeks, and months to come. Ridiculously fun and stupidly addictive, Ship of Fools is a delight!”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- Ship of Fools - Console Update Out Now!Apr 16, 2026
- Version 1.5.3 patch notesFeb 20, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- ❗Update RequiredOct 3, 2025
- Version 1.5.2 patch notesJun 20, 2025
- Version 1.5.1 patch notesMay 21, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Ship of Fools — Alphy's project update out now!Apr 24, 2025
- Ship of Fools – FREE Update and New Fools Drops April 24th!Apr 14, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Endless mode adjustment patch noteMay 21, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Endless mode update out Now! Also Orcs?May 7, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix 1.3.2Dec 20, 2023
- Fish & Ships update and Water Garden Duo DLC out now!Nov 6, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Ship of Fools Pricing UpdateSep 27, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix 1.1.4 - Ship Of FoolsMay 12, 2023
- The Great Lighthouse update release date and new Fools announcementApr 28, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes 1.0.2 - Ship Of FoolsJan 18, 2023significant · resets scoring window