Nicolas Lavergne, Producer at Fabled Game Studio on Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage – Interview Series

Listen up, swashbucklers and deck-collecting pirates — developer Fabled Game Studio is just about ready to lift the veil on Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage—a brand-new sequel to the popular deck-building roguelike entry that launched back in 2019. Now, if you happened to miss the memo earlier this month, then just know this: Heritage will be available to play as an Open Beta for a limited time only, meaning, if you did have high hopes of voyaging on some fresh tides, then you’re in luck. That’s right — Heritage kicks off over on Steam on October 24, 2024.

With the latest expedition merely a hop, skip, and a stone’s throw away, I thought I’d forage for some more information on the project. Thankfully, I had Fabled Game Studio’s producer, Nicolas Lavergne, on hand to fill in all of the blanks.

The swashbuckling deck-building entrée is due to receive another tale in its series, and we’re super excited to see its vast collection of fresh cards, locales, and deep-sea treasures. Before we delve into those details, though, let’s dial it back to the beginning. Pirates Outlaws — what is it, exactly?

Nicolas: Pirates Outlaws is a roguelike deck-building game, released on Mobile in March 2019 and later on other platforms (PC and Consoles). Simple in appearance at the beginning, the game becomes more and more vast and challenging over your expeditions through your captain’s repute. Containing 16 heroes with unique abilities and a pre-made deck. A collection of more than 700 cards and 200 relics. 3 game modes: Navigate, Arena and Tavern Brawl for more diversity and challenges.

Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage is on the horizon. The question is, what’s new this time around? What’s the story behind this sequel, and how will we, as the deck-building privateers, be involved in this newly established venture?

Nicolas: The sequel takes place years after the events of the first opus. The Pirates Bay region and some neighboring islands have been partially destroyed by a “Great Wave”. Its capital is rebuilt by engineers and inventors to create New Elysia, a utopian city based on new technological advances.

The game will begin with Gabi, an orphan, and daughter of Pirates who returns to the family mansion. Welcomed and guided by Hector, your mentor and navigator you will quickly desire to explore and sail the world.

Players will still be invited progressively to collect all the cards, relics rewarded from each region, and as well as complete achievements after completing quests and journeys. In addition to unlocking new classes for your character, you will be able now to get and combine your pre-made deck with the ability cards of a companion. Increasing player creativity to build a deck to discover new combos and strategies.

Let’s talk about the gameplay. Aside from the general act of gathering quality cards and other seaworthy upgrades, what else might we need to overcome during our nautical adventures?

Nicolas: The world has grown and evolved as have some major features and new functions added to the game:

•  Each hero has several classes and abilities, which can be combined with companion cards.

•  At the Alchemy shop, drinking elixir alters each hero ability, pre-made deck and its appearance. Ability hero or companion cards are powerful cards added to your starter deck.

•  Previous turn-based combat becomes more dynamic, and each card played affects a “Countdown” and triggers the enemy’s actions.

• Now, all cards upgrade according to a tree of evolution when you get 3 similar cards.

• Several Relics involve Outfit bonus. When you store these relics and complete an Outfit, you get its Outfit bonus.

• The new map generation will provide more freedom of navigation, and some of your choices will directly influence other events and paths.

• … and more to discover!

Do you have any useful tips for those who are looking to conquer the Arena and finesse their deck-building skills?

Nicolas: Pirates Outlaws’ Arena game mode is designed to be the final challenge for all players of the game because you play with your entire collection. The player must find a strategy among many relics and cards from all regions to defeat the 100 stages boss with all characters.

The Arena is divided into 2. Reach Arena 50 allows you to get an additional bonus. During your ascension, it’s important to not increase too much the number of unnecessary cards in your deck to avoid a bad hand, remove cards when you have the opportunity. Sell temporary relics to purchase the strongest one at the market.

In Pirates Outlaws 1, you can’t skip the reward which is also a major change in the sequel. Do not be scared to spend coins to refresh.

The Arena will be implemented later in Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage, after adding more cards, relics, and heroes…

Mind if we ask where you are in relation to the game’s development? Are we edging closer towards that all-important global debut, or are there still several screws that need tightening, so to speak?

Nicolas: We have announced a release of PC and mobile for 2025. Open Beta test is on the way and a playable demo on Steam is planned for the end of this year. Depending on community feedback, we could, hopefully, maintain our schedule.

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce: Limited time Open Beta test for Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage will be available on October 24th on Steam!https://t.co/UoSBcON3Iz#piratesoutlaws #Roguelike #indiegames pic.twitter.com/IC3GdZ7izJ

— Fabled Game Studio (@FabledGame) October 22, 2024

How can we stay up to date with Pirates Outlaws? Are there any social channels, newsletters, or upcoming events that we should be taking note of ahead of the game’s launch?

Nicolas: It is important for us to hear what our reputed players from the previous opus might request or could expect about Pirates Outlaws 2. As a small studio with less than 10 people dedicated to the project we cannot be efficient and available equally on all social networks, we are strongly inviting you to join the Pirates Outlaws Discord community and for more details about us at fabledgame.com

Would you like to add anything to the deck before we go ahead and wrap things up? Any final words for our readers, perhaps?

Nicolas: I would like to convey the message to all players and readers who are discovering and/or rediscovering a roguelike and/or deckbuilder to not stop at their first expeditions and failures. These games require more playing time to reveal their true experience of the game.

We appreciate you taking the time out to speak with us about Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage! Best of luck with the open beta!

For more information on Fabled Game Studio’s Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage, be sure to check in with the team over on their official X/Twitter channel here.