Pirate-themed RPGs are nothing new. With Topware’s Raven’s Cry, Piranha Byte’s Risen 2, and an entire expansion to Two World’s 2 being devoted to buccaneering, it isn’t exactly untrodden ground. Perhaps knowing this, developer Lion’s Shade decided to focus on only one aspect of piracy, that being the act of blowing up other ships in sea combat, rather than spreading their skills too thin and trying to craft something with a larger scope.

Having recently appeared on Steam Early Access, Tempest is Lion Shade’s attempt at replicating the kind of battles pirate fans have been wanting to get swept away in. With some startlingly positive reviews on Steam, it seems the developer may be on their way to delivering it too.

Hey Captain! Now that you’ve got the Jolly Roger fluttering in the wind over your ship, you’re ready to rove the seas, take on merchant ships loaded with booty and storm formidable fortresses. Set sail and get your hands on all those legendary treasures that are just waiting for the picking!

When we created Tempest, we focused on the most thrilling part of pirate life – sea battles. As you navigate the dangerous waters of the game you won’t just catch up with merchants, but you will encounter fellow pirates, creepy followers of a mysterious cult and terrible mythical monsters: Kraken, Leviathan and other infamous creatures.

Your ship – the pride and joy of any freebooter – can be customized in many ways. You are free to change almost everything – from the color of your flag and sails to the ship’s hull and figurehead. Of course, there are plenty of weapons to choose from for every battle, including cannons, mortars, flame throwers and so on. Also there are special tools ready to help you to rig the ship for any purpose. However, you can win the most valuable artifacts only by finishing the multilevel quests called “legends”.

According to Lion’s Shade, Tempest should be in early access for the next six months, after which it should be ready for a full release. Content-wise, the game is approximately half-done as of this typing.

If you feel like diving in before release, Tempest is currently 10% off of its 11.99 price, making it 10.79 for those brave enough to try it.