Raft Wars

Raft Wars is a legendary title from the golden age of Flash gaming, successfully preserved for the modern web. It tells the charming story of Simon and his brother, who find gold and diamonds in the sand, only to be besieged by pirates, neighbors, and thieves. The gameplay is a turn-based artillery shooter, reminiscent of Worms or Angry Birds, but set entirely on water, which introduces unique physics interactions.

🎯 Aim, Calculate, Fire

The core gameplay loop is deceptively simple: you choose the angle and the power of your shot. However, mastering it requires an intuitive understanding of ballistics.

• The Arc: Projectiles travel in a parabolic arc. To hit an enemy hiding behind a wall or another raft, you must aim high to drop the shot on their heads.
• The Splash Damage: You don't always need a direct hit. Hitting the water near an enemy causes a splash that can push them. Physics is a weapon here; pushing an enemy off their raft into the water is an instant kill (drowning), often more effective than whittling down their health bar.

🏴‍☠️ Enemies and Upgrades

Between levels, you spend your hard-earned gold in the shop. Strategic spending is crucial for the late game.

The Arsenal:

• Tennis Ball: The starter weapon. Low damage, high bounce.
• Grenades: Area of effect damage. Perfect for clustered enemies.
• Rockets: High damage, direct trajectory. Good for destroying raft fortifications.

Raft Upgrades:

You can expand your raft, adding more durability and room for crew members. A larger raft is harder to sink but also presents a bigger target for enemies. Finding the balance is key.

🛡️ Winning Strategies for Hard Levels

Later levels introduce Vikings and Helicopters, ramping up the difficulty.

1. Focus Fire

Always eliminate one enemy completely rather than damaging all of them slightly. A pirate with 1% HP shoots just as hard as one with 100% HP. Reduce the number of incoming shots by securing kills early.

2. Use the Environment

Some levels have seagulls or interactive objects. Hitting a seagull might seem useless, but it can drop bonuses or block enemy shots.

3. Memorize Your Settings

In turn-based shooters, trial and error is part of the process. If your first shot was Power 50, Angle 30, and it fell short, adjust to Power 55. Don't guess wildly; increment your adjustments logically.

🌟 Visual Style and Humor

Raft Wars is beloved for its distinct art style—bright, cartoonish, and expressive. The characters react to near misses and hits with funny animations. The lighthearted tone makes it a perfect casual game that doesn't punish failure too harshly, keeping the "try again" factor high.