Codename: Ocean Keeper

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Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival
DeveloperRetroStyle Games
PublisherRetroStyle Games
Platforms
Release
  • 2024 (early access)
  • 2025 (full release)
GenresAction, roguelike
Modesingle-player

Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival is an isometric roguelike survival game developed and published by Ukrainian studio RetroStyle Games in 2024. Following an early access period that began in July 2024, the game was released for macOS, Windows, Android, PlayStation, Nintendo, and iOS. The Ocean Keeper 1.0 was released in May 2025, officially leaving Early Access.[1][2][3]

The game follows the story of a Digger, whose shuttle crashed on an unknown underwater planet. The gameplay combines continuous fights with waves of monsters and mining levels to upgrade the playable Mech. Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival combines elements of video games like Vampire Survivors and Dome Keeper.

Gameplay

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Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival blends several game genres, integrating roguelike and strategy elements. In the game, there are two alternating modes. For the first one, players control a character, Digger, and explore underwater caves, scattered throughout the location, to find valuable resources and relics for upgrades. A timer indicates the amount of time left before the next wave of enemies, so the character must return to the Mech with as many resources as possible before the creatures appear and start destroying the robotic spider, Mech. For the second mode, players control a Mech by moving it and controlling its weapons. When all ocean creatures are defeated, the modes will alternate until the Mech is completely destroyed. The goal is to survive as long as possible against constant waves of monsters that become more difficult with every new wave.

Exploring the caves allows players to collect valuable resources (iron, copper, and diamonds) and relics. Resources are used to restore a player’s health, increase damage output, boost the speed, and other things. Relics are weapons and power-ups for the Digger and Mech that are placed directly on the characters themselves. Additionally, the game features a meta-currency. Some of the resources can be used during the game session, and some of them after death for upgrades in the gaming hub.

In the Ocean Keeper, the gaming hub is the place where players can use all their resources and upgrade the equipment for the next sessions. Also, there are three different suits for Mech and Digger, which change depending on what you are upgrading in the gaming hub.[4]

Plot

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Ocean Keeper features the story of a Digger, the main character, who lands on an unknown underwater planet. Digger travels on a Mech, a robot with advanced artificial intelligence, and works for the Collector, a mysterious figure seeking an unknown artifact.

The story progresses with gameplay milestones. After completing certain conditions, players unlock dialogue screens in which Digger uncovers nuances of working with Collector and Mech’s hidden potential.

Development

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The development of Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival began in 2023. The core gameplay mechanics were inspired by Vampire Survivors and Dome Keeper, so the studio worked to combine elements from those projects in an isometric environment. The development of the initial version took more than a year.

In June 2024, RetroStyle Games released the Demo version of the game. In July 2024, Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival became available in Early Access for macOS, Windows, Android, PlayStation, Nintendo, and iOS.[5][6]

In May 2025, the game was fully released, featuring balance and armory reworks. With the 1.0 version coming, RetroStyle Games wiped the progress to provide a more balanced and equal experience for the audience.[7]

iOS and Android

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On August 23, 2024, a mobile adaptation of Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival was released on Google Play and the App Store. The mobile version retains the core gameplay of its PC counterpart. For iOS, the game includes additional Haptic Touch integration and Cloud Save functionality, allowing players to sync progress across multiple devices.

On July 2025, the 1.0 version of Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival became available on Android and iOS, featuring the full release of the project.[8][9][10]

Reception

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Since its release, Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival received an 80 out of 100 Metacritic score from GameSpew.[11][12]

The game received generally positive reviews from the community. Out of 747 user reviews on Steam, 80% are positive.[13]


References

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  1. ^ "Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival challenges you to explore the unknown as you mine for survival". pocketgamer.com. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  2. ^ "Gorgeous underwater roguelike, complete with mechs, has a new demo you can try right now". PCGamesN. 2024-07-19. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  3. ^ "Codename: Ocean Keeper team talks roguelikes, oceans, and why it went for Early Access". destructoid.com. 2024-07-28. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  4. ^ Heath, Martin (2024-06-23). "Codename: Ocean Keeper Celebrates Successful Steam Next Fest Demo". GameGrin. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  5. ^ "OCEAN KEEPER – UNDER THE SEA ROGUELIKE DEMO TO BE RELEASED DURING JUNE STEAM FEST 2024". EIN Presswire. 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  6. ^ Peremot, Sashko (2024-07-19). "Гра Codename: Ocean Keeper від української студії RetroStyle Games вийшла у ранній доступ". DOU (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  7. ^ Peremot, Sashko (2025-05-02). "Український «рогалик» Ocean Keeper вийшов з дочасного доступу у Steam". DOU (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  8. ^ "RetroStyle Games on LinkedIn: Soft-Launch of Ocean Keeper for Android is Here". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  9. ^ "RetroStyle Games on LinkedIn: Ocean Keeper is now available on iOS!". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  10. ^ "Український roguelike Ocean Keeper вийшов на мобільних платформах". DOU (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  11. ^ "PC Critic Reviews". metacritic.com. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  12. ^ Smaith, Kim (2025-05-12). "Ocean Keeper review". GameSpew. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  13. ^ "Ocean Keeper: Dome Survival - Steam Stats". Gamalytic. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
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