Competitive, turn-based strategy game merges traits of Backpack Battles and FTL for an engaging and fast-paced experience.
After the success of the autobattler genre last year, another game has joined the fray. This time, it's "Down with the Ship," a strategic auto battler that offers a unique blend of detailed inventory management within a chaotic sci-fi universe.
The game, developed by an unnamed studio, is set to release in the first quarter of 2026. It is currently available for demo on Steam. In Down with the Ship, players pick their faction, captain, and assemble spaceships using money and various parts. Each captain has their own unique suite of parts available in the shop after each round of combat.
Down with the Ship shares similarities with Backpack Battles, another game that gained attention last year. However, it stands out for its theme of constructing spaceships piece by piece. The imperial faction in Down with the Ship focuses on critical hits, the renegades fire everything at once, and the tech-cult of rust inflicts degenerating rust effects on enemies.
Players can buy multiples of equipment to level it up, and even draft parts from other factions. This feature adds a layer of strategy to the game, allowing players to customize their spaceships to their preferred playstyle.
Jonathan Bolding, a games writer and critic with an extensive background in strategy games, has praised the game for its unique take on the autobattler genre. When not on his PC, Bolding plays every tabletop game under the sun.
Down with the Ship, with its asynchronous autobattling PvP, offers a fresh and exciting experience for fans of the autobattler genre. If you're looking for a new strategy game to try out, be sure to check out the demo on Steam.
Key Features Comparison
| Feature | Down with the Ship | Backpack Battles | |---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Core gameplay | Strategic auto battler with inventory management in a sci-fi setting | PvP-oriented auto battler with inventory-as-puzzle strategy in backpack | | Inventory mechanics | Detailed item crafting and backpack arrangement impacting combat | Crafting and puzzle-like backpack arrangement critical for battles | | Setting | Chaotic sci-fi universe | Edgy, competitive PvP scene | | Focus | Blend of crafting, inventory strategy, and PvP | PvP combat, strategic item placement in backpack | | PvP aspect | Present, emphasizes strategic positioning | Primary focus, tactical spatial arrangement |
Both games revolve around autobattler mechanics combined with inventory management via backpack arrangements, but Down with the Ship focuses more on the chaotic sci-fi strategic crafting blended with PvP, whereas Backpack Battles highlights its PvP inventory puzzle aspect with a distinctive style and sass.
- In the excitement for the upcoming release of "Down with the Ship," players can anticipate betting on their skills in the game's asynchronous autobattling PvP.
- The unique theme of constructing spaceships piece by piece, coupled with the chaotic sci-fi universe, makes "Down with the Ship" an attractive addition to the autobattler genre.
- With the release of "Down with the Ship," tech-savvy gamers can look forward to incorporating gadgets and technology into their spaceship design for strategic advantage.
- The strategic auto battler "Down with the Ship" offers a blend of gameplay elements, including captain selection, spaceship assembly, and inventory management, providing a rich and immersive gaming experience for fans of the genre.
