Publisher ARTE France and French indie developer La Poule Noire have revealed Matelotes, a whimsical medieval roguelite RPG coming to Steam Early Access on PC and Mac in early 2027. This is the developers’ fourth game and the third collaboration with ARTE.
The events of the game take place in the unpredictable medieval Kingdom of Sauzic that is facing an unprecedented upheaval: the disappearance of the Royal Hen.
A crew of fearless—if occasionally hopeless—sailors sets off to explore the kingdom’s scattered islands in search of clues. It is up to players to recruit and develop the crew, chart routes between islands, and make decisions that will affect the fate of the entire kingdom. There are rival factions to encounter, and it’s your decision whether to support or sabotage them. But beware, it will have lasting consequences.
“Every new playthrough features a procedurally generated sea and island map, ensuring no two expeditions unfold the same way. Success depends on careful route planning, resource management, and keeping the crew alive through unexpected disasters and internal conflicts. Players can also upgrade their ship to improve its speed and durability as the journey grows increasingly dangerous.”
Key Features:
- EXPLORE a procedurally generated sea and plan your route between the islands.
- TRAIN your crew and assign each crewmember to the tasks that suit her best.
- INFLUENCE four rival factions through alliances, sabotage, and your decisions.
- UPGRADE your ship while managing your crew’s hunger, fatigue, and various conditions.
- FIND the Royal Hen, and uncover the truth behind a mystery that may be bigger than it seems.
