Pirate games usually fall into two categories: the whimsical, "yo-ho-ho" cartoons or the massive, ship-based simulators where you spend more time managing wind direction than actually fighting. Flint: Treasure of Oblivion takes a different path. It's grittier. It’s a tactical RPG developed by Savage Level and published by Microids that tries to bridge the gap between historical realism and the high-seas fantasy we all grew up with.
Honestly, it's refreshing.
Most people hear "pirate game" and think Sea of Thieves or maybe Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. But this isn't that. It’s a turn-based affair that leans heavily into a comic-book aesthetic. You’re following Captain Flint—yes, that Flint, the legendary figure from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island—long before he becomes the ghost of a legend. He’s joined by his partner-in-crime, Billy Bones, as they go looking for a mysterious treasure that supposedly guarantees freedom.
It’s about the dirt. It’s about the blood. It's about the fact that being a pirate was actually a pretty miserable, dangerous career choice.
The Weird, Beautiful Mix of History and Comics
The first thing that hits you about Flint: Treasure of Oblivion is the visual style. It doesn't use traditional cutscenes. Instead, the narrative unfolds through literal comic book panels. It sounds like it might be jarring, but it works surprisingly well to convey the "Franco-Belgian" comic style that the developers clearly love.
The story is set in 1715. This was the "Golden Age" of piracy, but the game treats it with a level of historical nuance you don't often see. You aren't just a superhero in a tricorne hat. You’re a leader of a crew of misfits who all have their own baggage. The environments, from the sun-bleached docks of Saint-Malo to the claustrophobic jungles of the New World, feel lived-in.
You've got this duality. On one hand, you have the tactical, grid-based combat that feels like a tabletop game. On the other, you have a narrative that feels like a graphic novel. This isn't just a gimmick. It’s a deliberate choice to make the world feel stylized but grounded. You won't find krakens or glowing skeletons here—at least not in the way you'd expect. The "oblivion" in the title refers to something much more psychological and atmospheric.
Tactical Combat That Actually Makes You Think
Let's talk about the fighting. If you go into this thinking you can just click on enemies until they die, you’re going to have a bad time. Flint: Treasure of Oblivion uses a turn-based system that relies heavily on positioning and "dice" mechanics.
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- You have to manage your crew's unique skills.
- Every move matters because the environment is often as dangerous as the enemies.
- The "Roll" system adds a layer of tabletop unpredictability that can either save your life or ruin your entire afternoon.
Think XCOM but with sabers and flintlocks. The game introduces a "crew" system where you aren't just controlling Flint. You’re managing a whole squad. Each member brings something different to the table, and if you lose them, it hurts. The tactical depth comes from how these characters interact. You might use one pirate to shove an enemy into a hazard, while another provides covering fire with a blunderbuss that has a terrifyingly long reload time.
It’s slow. It’s methodical. And when a plan comes together, it feels incredible.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Pirate Genre
We have been conditioned by Hollywood to think pirates were all about rum and funny accents. The reality was much more about logistics and survival. Flint: Treasure of Oblivion touches on this by making the "management" side of piracy matter. You aren't just sailing; you’re maintaining a ship and a crew that can turn on you if things go south.
One of the biggest misconceptions about this game is that it’s an open-world sandbox. It’s not. It is a narrative-driven RPG. If you want to sail aimlessly for three hours, go play Sea of Thieves. Here, every location is a handcrafted stage for a specific part of the story. This focus allows Savage Level to tell a much tighter tale than if they had tried to build a massive, empty ocean.
The developers at Savage Level, founded by Saïda and Maxime-Loup Wolf, have been very vocal about wanting to capture the "true" spirit of piracy. They aren't interested in the Disney version. They want the grit. They want the tactical reality of what happens when twenty people with swords meet on a narrow deck.
Why the Dice Mechanic is Polarizing
The dice system is probably the most "love it or hate it" part of the game. In many RPGs, "randomness" is hidden behind a percentage. Here, you see the dice. It’s a physical representation of luck. Some players find it frustrating to miss a 90% shot—or a high-probability roll—but that’s the nature of the beast. It forces you to have a Plan B. If you're relying on a single roll to win a fight, you've already lost the tactical battle.
Building Your Crew: Beyond Just Stats
In Flint: Treasure of Oblivion, your crew members aren't just a bunch of numbers on a screen. They have archetypes, sure, but the way you level them up determines how you'll handle different phases of the game.
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- The Brutes: These guys are your front line. They take the hits so Flint doesn't have to.
- The Scouts: Essential for positioning and dealing with environmental hazards.
- The Specialists: Doctors, engineers, and those who keep the ship (and the men) from falling apart.
You spend a lot of time in the "Preparation" phase. This is where the game mimics the real life of a captain. You're looking at your resources, checking who’s wounded, and deciding who gets the best gear. It’s a loop of: Fight, Loot, Manage, Repeat.
The gear isn't just "Sword +1." It’s often about utility. A specific type of pistol might have a shorter range but a higher chance to stagger an opponent, which is vital if you're trying to keep a heavy-hitter from reaching your backline. It's these small, granular choices that separate the good players from the ones who end up in a watery grave.
The Sound of 1715
We need to talk about the audio. The clinking of rigging, the way the wind howls during a storm, and the voice acting for Flint—all of it adds to the immersion. It’s easy for tactical games to feel "sterile" because you're looking at everything from a top-down or isometric perspective. You're removed from the action.
Savage Level counters this with a soundscape that feels very close to the ear. When a flintlock goes off, it sounds meaty and dangerous. When a blade hits wood, you hear the splintering. It grounds the comic-book visuals in a reality that feels heavy and consequential.
Is Flint: Treasure of Oblivion Right for You?
This isn't a game for everyone. If you want fast-paced action, you'll be bored within twenty minutes. If you hate RNG (random number generators) and get angry when a dice roll doesn't go your way, this will be an exercise in frustration.
However, if you like Divinity: Original Sin, or if you spent your childhood reading Treasure Island and wishing it was a bit more "adult," this is exactly what you've been looking for. It’s a sophisticated take on a genre that is usually treated like a playground for kids.
It's also worth noting that the game doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of the era. Piracy wasn't just adventure; it was a response to the brutal naval laws and economic despair of the 18th century. Flint represents that desperation. He isn't a hero. He’s a man who has decided that the law is a suggestion and that the only thing that matters is the gold at the end of the map.
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Actionable Steps for New Captains
If you're planning to dive into the world of Flint, don't just jump in blindly. The game can be punishing if you don't respect its systems.
First, master the environment. Before you even look at an enemy's health bar, look at where they are standing. Can you push them off a ledge? Is there a barrel of gunpowder nearby? The environment is your most effective weapon, and it doesn't require a dice roll to use a trap you've already set.
Second, diversify your crew early. It's tempting to just stack high-damage dealers, but you'll hit a wall when you face enemies with high armor or dodging capabilities. You need people who can debuff, heal, and control the battlefield.
Third, read the panels. Don't skip the comic book sections. Not only are they well-drawn, but they often contain subtle hints about the characters' motivations and the world-building that will make the tactical choices feel more meaningful.
Finally, accept the dice. Bad luck happens. A "1" on a critical turn is just part of the story the game is telling. Build your strategies around the idea that things will go wrong. The best captains aren't the ones who never fail; they’re the ones who know how to survive a disaster.
Invest your time in learning the "Action Point" economy. Every turn is a puzzle. You have a limited number of actions, and knowing when to save an action for a reaction shot versus when to go all-in on an attack is the difference between a successful raid and a total party wipe.
Flint: Treasure of Oblivion is a bold attempt to do something different with a tired archetype. It’s not perfect, and its pace is deliberate, but it has a soul. It respects the player's intelligence and the history of its setting. Whether you’re a fan of tactical RPGs or just a pirate enthusiast looking for something with more "bite," it’s a journey worth taking. Just make sure you bring plenty of shot and a very sharp cutlass.