Customer Reviews (100)

Camilo Ramirez • 2025-03-24T01:35:11.680Z

Juegon.

Kostas F • 2025-03-20T19:03:05.413Z

I've been playing for a few years now and I enjoy it. I would give this game 5 stars but there are 2 things that drive me crazy. For the love of everything holy. if the game wants you to suffer there is nothing you can do. Statistics make NO sense. Eg: You have 4xDodge and the enemy character has 3xBlind. The character is about to do 3x5 DMG+1 per turn(x3). Out of 12 hits 10 will land. HOW? And finally hidden enemy abilities. ps. whoever came up with the "Chronic illness" card, is a sick person

Mwurk • 2025-03-17T08:40:54.496Z

I got this after playing slay the spire. After 100+ hours in STP i needed a little break and this is perfect. There are some things here and there that make absolutely no sense and some of the chars are a bit broken. But overall it's fun and a nice breath of fresh air.

Summary of Key Insights

Pirates Outlaws is generally well-received as a roguelike card game, particularly by fans of the genre and those seeking an alternative to Slay the Spire. Its strengths lie in its deep gameplay, high replayability, strategic depth, and the absence of forced advertisements. However, several recurring complaints center around the perceived grind, the cost of unlocking new heroes and content, and some issues with randomness and balance. Some users also expressed frustration with the lack of a "skip card reward" option, and some report bugs or missing purchases after changing devices. The overall sentiment is positive, but these issues detract from the user experience for some players.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: Appears high based on the review breakdown.
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 58%
    • 4-star: 10%
    • 3-star: 8%
    • 2-star: 13%
    • 1-star: 11%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but assumed to be recent based on the version number (4.12) and mentions of 2024.
  • Analysis Methods: Manual review of individual comments, keyword extraction (e.g., "grind," "unlock," "currency," "skip card"), and sentiment categorization based on star rating and written feedback.

Key User Pain Points

  • Grind/Slow Progression: The most frequent complaint is the perceived grind required to unlock new heroes, maps, and content. Users find the in-game currency earn rate too low compared to the high cost of unlockables.
  • Microtransactions in a Paid Game: Some users dislike the presence of microtransactions in a game they already paid for, feeling that it pushes them toward spending more money to progress at a reasonable pace.
  • Randomness and Balance Issues: Some players feel that the game is too heavily reliant on luck, with unbalanced card interactions, enemy abilities, and boss encounters. Specific complaints included confusing statistics (dodge/blind interactions) and hidden enemy abilities.
  • Lack of "Skip Card Reward" Option: A significant number of users desire the ability to skip card rewards after battles, as forcing players to take unwanted cards can negatively impact deck building strategies.
  • Bugs and Lost Purchases: A few users reported bugs, including issues with the SPen and lost purchases after changing phones.
  • Character Personality: Some players feel the characters lack unique cards that make them special.
  • Healing Items Targeting Enemies: Some players report accidentially healing enemy bosses.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Skip Card Reward Option: This is by far the most requested feature.
  • Controller Support: Some users would like to play with a controller.
  • PVP Mode: A few users suggested a Player vs. Player mode.
  • More Maps/Content: Some users are requesting new maps or content.
  • Google Play Beta Support: Some players want Google Play Games Beta support.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Addictive and Engaging Gameplay: Many users find the game fun, addictive, and strategically deep.
  • High Replayability: The variety of heroes, cards, relics, and game modes contributes to high replayability.
  • No Forced Advertisements: Users appreciate the absence of intrusive ads.
  • Offline Playability: The ability to play offline is a major selling point for many.
  • Fair Pricing (Generally): While some complain about microtransactions, others feel the initial price is reasonable for the amount of content offered.
  • Challenging and Rewarding: Users enjoy the challenge and the feeling of accomplishment when overcoming difficult encounters.
  • Good Alternative to Slay the Spire: Many players specifically sought out Pirates Outlaws as an alternative to Slay the Spire and found it to be a worthy substitute.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address the Grind: Re-evaluate the in-game currency earn rate and the cost of unlocking heroes and content. Consider increasing currency rewards, reducing unlock costs, or offering alternative ways to earn content (e.g., through achievements).
  • Implement a "Skip Card Reward" Option: This is a critical quality-of-life improvement that would significantly enhance the deck-building experience.
  • Investigate and Fix Bugs: Address the reported bugs, including SPen issues and lost purchases. Implement a robust account system to prevent purchase loss.

Medium Priority:

  • Rebalance Card Interactions and Enemy Abilities: Review card interactions and enemy abilities to ensure fair and consistent gameplay. Provide clearer explanations of game mechanics.
  • Address Microtransaction Concerns: Consider offering a "premium" version of the game with all content unlocked for a single price, or provide more in-game currency for the initial purchase price.
  • Improve Character Personality: Add unique cards or abilities for each character to make them feel more distinct.

Low Priority:

  • Add Controller Support: While requested, this is not a critical issue.
  • Consider PVP Mode: Explore the feasibility of a PVP mode, but prioritize core gameplay improvements first.
  • Add New Maps/Content: While desirable, this should be secondary to addressing existing issues.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • A "Deckbuilding Roguelike Assistant" App: An app that provides real-time card interaction analysis, deck building suggestions, and enemy weakness information for games like Pirates Outlaws.
  • A "Roguelike Content Aggregator": A platform that curates and organizes information, guides, and community content for various roguelike games, including deck builders, to improve player onboarding and engagement.
  • A "Mobile Game Fair Pricing" Advocacy Platform: A platform that rates and reviews mobile games based on their monetization practices, helping players identify games that offer a fair value proposition and avoid predatory microtransactions.

Trends and Observations

  • Comparison to Slay the Spire: The game is frequently compared to Slay the Spire, indicating that it appeals to a similar audience.
  • Language Preferences: The game is localized into multiple languages, suggesting a global player base.
  • Shift in Sentiment: Some older reviews mention a worse grind, suggesting that the developers may have already made some adjustments to the game's economy.

Conclusion

Pirates Outlaws is a solid roguelike card game with strong core gameplay and high replayability. However, the perceived grind and microtransaction concerns detract from the overall user experience. By addressing these issues and implementing the requested quality-of-life improvements, the developers can further enhance the game and solidify its position as a top choice in the genre. The positive sentiment and high replayability suggest a loyal player base that is willing to invest time and potentially money in the game, provided that the progression feels fair and rewarding.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.piratesoutlaws.fabledgame