Free on Steam now: MOBA meets roguelike, inspired by a legendary Warcraft 3 mod
Sirocco is a creative free-to-play MOBA developed by Lunchbox Entertainment Inc., dropping players into 5v5 naval battles inspired by the beloved Warcraft 3 mod Battleships. In the original custom map, players outfitted ships with unique gear, clashed at sea and aimed to sink enemy bases – a formula Sirocco updates with roguelike elements and a strong focus on team coordination. The result is a modern spin on a cult classic, blending fast-paced action with strategic depth.
While Sirocco falls within the MOBA genre, it breaks away from traditional conventions. There are no fixed roles or rigid counter mechanics – instead, players can adjust their abilities on the fly, allowing for dynamic strategy shifts mid-match. Ships come equipped with auto-firing weapons, shifting the gameplay emphasis away from precise aiming or last-hitting and toward smart positioning and tight team coordination. Roguelike elements, such as randomly acquired "Loom Coils," add another layer of variety. These in-match upgrades grant active or passive effects, ensuring each round presents fresh tactical opportunities.
Early Access launch
Sirocco launched into Early Access on May 2 and is available to play completely free of charge. According to the developers, this phase is expected to last between 12 and 16 months and the game will remain free to play even after its full release.
Reviews: Innovative approach, but with little gameplay depth
Sirocco has received around 150 reviews on Steam so far, with 80% of them being positive. According to SteamDB, the game has already peaked at about 880 concurrent players. Steam users praise it for its fresh take on the MOBA genre, particularly its naval combat and slower, more relaxed pace – making it feel less stressful than heavyweights like Dota 2 or League of Legends. The smooth state of the Early Access launch and the accessible free-to-play model are also frequently highlighted as positives.
On the flip side, Sirocco has faced criticism for lacking depth. Players find the weapon and progression system too basic, with just two weapon slots and limited build variety – falling short of the complexity offered by the original Warcraft 3 mod. Many in-game decisions are seen as low-impact, leading to repetitive gameplay. Other common complaints include a shallow tutorial, a cluttered user interface and technical issues like high latency and FPS drops.
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