PC (Microsoft Windows)2024

Ships at Sea

Experience the thrill of navigating a wide range of ships. Immerse yourself in various career paths such as service, cargo and commercial fishing, as you explore the breathtaking open world of Norway´s Lofoten Islands with its stunning scenery. The ocean is within your reach!

Trailers

Screenshots

Mixed

26 Steam reviews

Review History

Reviews

26 total

≥h

Steam User 0978STEAMNot recommended

It's slowly improving, could really do with some work on engine sounds and the shop and help menu user interface - which was better in the older game, pace of development is perceived to be quite slow for some reason compared with the previous game which just appeared and did a decent job from the start. I cant recommend it just yet

Mar 15, 2026·6h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 1914STEAMNot recommended

jeg har spillet men det er litt vanskelig å få spilt pillet når man bar komme inn til hovemryen . og nor man stare sipllet viders så lukke spillet seg

Mar 15, 2026·37h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 0112STEAMNot recommended

Also so eine Rezension ist natürlich immer subjektiv. Es ist meine persönliche Meinung. Und meine Meinung ist, es ist Müll...es ist für 2026 sogar peinlich. Grafik mag hier und da noch gelungen und schwupp, schon ist Ende im Gelände. Inzwischen ein altes Spiel. Das wird einfach mit keinem Patch besser....

Mar 13, 2026·5h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 9066STEAMRecommended

Loving it!, If you want a detailed review ask someone else.

Mar 12, 2026·16h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 5757STEAMNot recommended

I want to be as honest and transparent as possible: in its current state, Ships at Sea doesn’t feel like a playable game — even by Early Access standards. I went in expecting rough edges, but what I found was a foundation that barely functions.
I had to restart my profile because core mechanics simply refused to work. The early game is punishing, but not in a rewarding or intentional way — more like the systems just aren’t ready. I tried using the rowboat to run missions, and none of them would start. I attempted trash‑collecting missions, rowed half a mile for 30 minutes, and still couldn’t interact with the garbage. Cargo hauling and passenger transport are completely off the table with the starter boat.
Performance is another major issue. On modern hardware — a 9070XT OC, 9950X3D, and 32GB of RAM — the game runs choppy, stuttery, and inconsistent, like a motorcycle accident skidding across gravel. It doesn’t matter what settings you tweak; it just isn’t optimized.
The skill tree heavily favors fishing, but you can’t meaningfully fish unless you jig, and even then it doesn’t seem to contribute toward the “pounds caught” progression. It feels disconnected and unfinished.
At this point, I strongly recommend waiting before buying. Right now, it comes across uncomfortably close to an asset‑flip cash grab that may end up abandoned. If you want a polished fishing and maritime experience, Fishing North Atlantic is still the far better choice.

Mar 9, 2026·1h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 7189STEAMNot recommended

NO TITORIALS..NO SHIP SOUND...EARLY ACCESS BUT NO BASIC?

Mar 9, 2026·81h·1·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 3127STEAMNot recommended

This is mostly aimed at casual players. You play in real time and have no skip or time compression features other than setting the game speed, which is still not developed or working at this time, as they work on foot prints in the snow graphics and physics. I do love graphics don't get me wrong but I want a game that plays well for my play type first and foremost. I don't really enjoy spending hours watching my ship bobble slowly across the seas. It should be able to both play in real time and skip time to cover both play styles. I was told that they were implement this but I still only have the greyed out game speed which is selected only at the start of the game. This will induce casual players who want to skip the slow travel to not buy this title and many will not remember it as the new update doesn't implement it either. It in my opinion is more niche as it forces real time on players. While some will love it, some will grow bored with it or not purchase it as it doesn't accommodate their play style. The game is good but long periods of nothing in between doing anything. I would have avoided this game as well but I was told by a dev that they were implementing time compression but they pointed me to game speed and that is totally different. I did buy it as it seemed a step in the right direction but even after the new update they seem to be focusing on the graphics with little to no progress on the game play aspect.

Mar 9, 2026·18h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 3768STEAMRecommended

its a good game but there are still some bugs

Mar 9, 2026·149h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 0837STEAMRecommended

TLDR: People have been mean, but this is an EARLY ACCESS game with a good gameplay loop and promising framework, at least in my opinion, so don't let the mixed reception stop you from the purchase. I've played on the open beta test, so I've had access to more content, but not all stable content.

Right now, there's a very basic gameplay loop and not tons of variety with contracts or industries to go down. Fishing is the 'main' industry easily the most valuable, making the mid and late game slow if you don't pick it. I mean, the game is already slow to begin with, but in a good way. The pacing is fairly realistic for a boat simulator, so that means fairly long trips with most of the gameplay comprising of travel. If traveling to some chill music for half an hour between ports is a dealbreaker, this game isn't for you. The active moments and rewards obtained from them is dotted into the game enough for me to enjoy it, though even the downtime can be satisfying since this game is actually really pretty on higher settings and the feeling of travel is pretty nice as well.

The setup for what this game could be in the future is what really got me to purchase this game. There is a good framework for player-driven supply, and even potential economy. Fuel is the biggest current example of this. Small ports with fuel stations can run out of fuel and need to be refilled by player ships rigged to transport fuel from large ports. Also, cleaning garbage actually does remove it from being an eyesore and obstacle, and I see many directions this could go. For example, fish could optionally be turned into bait of its respective kind, cargo contracts could temporarily improve the stock of the port its delivered to, or players could service other players' vehicles by putting fires out, towing, repairing, etc.

Lastly, I wanted to talk about the early access issues associated with the game, because it isn't all positive. Yes, there are bugs, limited content, and some performance issues (though surprisingly few of the last compared to most early access games), but this game is being work on consistently and actually does listen to feedback. In my mind, that is the cherry on top for why I recommend this game. It's just decent now, but the devs are doing everything they should for an early access game to make it great in the future.

I also feel that a lot of people give this game a negative review, but not all of them seem to understand what the purpose of early access is. It 1) gains funding for further development, 2) provides data from players and testers for the devs to use, and 3) allows us gamers to give our thoughts on the game WHILE it's being developed so that they can change things quickly (and bugs are expected, not excepted, as focusing on patching the small stuff just to break it again with the next change is stupid). If you want to wait until full release, totally fine, but I'm a little tired of seeing so many reviews of people playing it and saying it's a bad game because it's buggy.

Note: skip the rowboat, wait to do fishing until you can afford a better start with it, and start with cargo but don't sell the ship when you're ready to change to fishing. Do short cargo trips as the long ones usually aren't worth it, and max the propeller at the dry dock and install it ASAP. You'll thank me later.

Mar 8, 2026·11h·4·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 5317STEAMRecommended

god

Mar 7, 2026·149h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 3750STEAMNot recommended

game is very broken after the last up date. now playing for longer than 30 min crashes. even if you advance time 24 hrs it still crashes constantly!

Mar 7, 2026·124h·1·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 1563STEAMRecommended

boat good

Mar 7, 2026·37h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 7197STEAMRecommended

Very good, much wow

Mar 5, 2026·12h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 8940STEAMNot recommended

The game for the most part plays fine a few bugs, nothing major. But It's just PAINFULLY slow. There's no fast travel and It's a little to realistic for the time scales it takes to travel. I have just over 4 hours of gameplay and in 4 hours I completed 3 missions, and progressed a day in game.

Mar 2, 2026·4h·2·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 1075STEAMNot recommended

Viel zu lansam... kein Zeitraffer, keine Schnellreise... man fährt stundenlang herum... dummes gameplay

Mar 2, 2026·4h·1·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 3918STEAMRecommended

its nice

Feb 28, 2026·102h·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 4452STEAMNot recommended

fast travel PLEASE I wish I could like this game but it ain't got fast travel, i dont wanna sit back in my chair and wait 30 minutes for my boat to float out to sea every time i leave port.

Feb 26, 2026·6h·2·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 0649STEAMRecommended

I am writing this review before I have tried the other current ship sim seafarer. Please keep that in mind while reading this review.
I play this game a few hours here and there as a relaxing ship simulator. I only do cargo runs at the moment as I have not earned enough for a larger ship. This game is very fun, but very similar to actual boating. A lot of open ocean and not a whole lot of action. If you want something more intense, this is not the game. That being said, as a person who grew up around boating, I can say that this feels very reminiscint of the irl boating that Ive done. This game is still very early access and it shows, but the physics of the boats and water feels very realistic and with high graphics, the game looks amazing. I have not experienced any glitches or issues with previous versions when the game updates. I plan to update this review when I hit 50 and 100 hours. Only notes that I would give the team of this game is to potentially look into adding support for steering wheels(and maybe a way to use a shifter as a throttle), as well as the ability to fall off and climb back into boats.

Feb 25, 2026·22h·5·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 8619STEAMRecommended

大概玩了20小时吧，目前class2的船可以购买了，很快驾照到class 3了。有一些问题，先给厂家写一下，期待改善：
1.货运内容部分，货物的堆叠很难，很多目测已经很准确的堆叠，游戏上不成立，导致一次性只能接1个货运任务。
2.货运的报酬过小，货运是跑的最远，用时最长，却收益最少的。这相对于渔业，没有投入大量时间游玩的价值，请修整。
3.客运，用服务船的2级船，依然不能拉3个客人去目的地。这很不现实。另外，上传的NPC，请让他们坐在座位上。
4.船内的休息空间如果可以使用，就更加真实了。
5.船员我雇佣了，但是根本找不到他在哪里？更别说他帮我做什么了。

Feb 23, 2026·41h·1·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 1818STEAMRecommended

burger

Feb 23, 2026·24h·1·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 0744STEAMNot recommended

Not recomended

Currently not much of a game at all with several core mechanics not working and very little player challenges.
Stay away until it fundamentally changes (ie: maybe never)

Feb 23, 2026·33h·5·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 6206STEAMRecommended

Świetna gra z dużym potencjałem, bardzo dobra optymalizacja, brak błędów w grze, piękne rozległe morze, świetna mechanika gry - polecam.

Feb 22, 2026·8h·1·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 7483STEAMRecommended

Considerando que está em early access, é um simulador bom e com bastante potencial para melhorar. Os devs são ativos no Discord e o jogo tem recebido atualizações frequentes. A última melhorou a física e a manobrabilidade dos barcos, e a próxima deve trazer mudanças no clima e nos habitats dos peixes. Por ser um simulador, espere boas horas navegando em linha reta olhando para o horizonte.

Feb 18, 2026·26h·2·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 1519STEAMRecommended

Fun game Just still a little glitchy. and hope they add more boats soon

Feb 17, 2026·6h·2·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 2564STEAMNot recommended

unreal engine slop

Feb 15, 2026·6h·2·Verified·Early Access

Steam User 6079STEAMRecommended

good game

Feb 15, 2026·52h·1·Verified·Early Access

LANGUAGE	AUDIO	SUBTITLES	INTERFACE
English	—	Y	Y
Chinese (Simplified)	—	Y	Y
German	—	Y	Y
Italian	—	Y	Y
Japanese	—	Y	Y
Korean	—	Y	Y
Norwegian	—	Y	Y
Polish	—	Y	Y
Portuguese (Brazil)	—	Y	Y
Russian	—	Y	Y
Spanish (Spain)	—	Y	Y
Turkish	—	Y	Y