We Need a Bigger Ship is a strategy indie game for PC that centers on expanding and defending a ship through careful grid-based construction and tactical combat against waves of enemies.
Gameplay
The core loop begins with a small vessel equipped with limited slots and a single gun. Players expand the ship by arranging weapons, supports, and bags on a grid layout. Each item occupies space, and rotating pieces helps them fit while positioning supports to enhance nearby weapons. Bags of varying shapes extend the hull and add capacity for more components.
Weapon forging adds depth to builds. Placing a weapon next to compatible parts and activating the forge badge combines them into upgraded versions, such as turning a Needler into a Gatling Needler or a Nova Mortar into a Hellfire Mortar and eventually a Doomsday Mortar. This system rewards experimentation with layouts that maximize synergies.
Nine distinct pilots each bring unique shooting styles and starting equipment. Outrider fires straight shots, Trident uses poison multishot, Spearhead launches piercing lances, Whirlwind delivers rapid fire, Rearguard covers all directions, Blastlance employs explosives, Ricochet sends bouncing orbs, Scattershot splits pellets, and Bulwark rams opponents. Combat features enemy types including foot soldiers, cavalry, shield bearers, armored giants, Ratters, Spore Hulks, Gravity Wells, Worms, Elite Brutes, Stalkers, Bastions, and Colossi, along with three bosses: the Siege Titan, the Serpent Queen, and the Brood Mother. Players can control the ship manually or switch to autopilot, with options for 1x, 2x, or 4x speed.
Game Modes
Campaign mode involves building between rounds before facing successive waves of threats, with a boss appearing every fifth threat level. Five lives are available, each lost when a shield breaks, and reaching threat level 20 completes a run.
Ranked mode pits a player's saved build against those created by others. The objective is to damage the opponent's core, intercept incoming fire, and secure 10 wins before accumulating 5 losses.
Chill mode offers endless waves without bosses or the risk of defeat. Leaks only reduce the shield rather than costing lives, and players may fly manually or rely on autopilot.
Build Systems and Progression
Progression revolves around a collection that tracks every item, bag, and forge recipe. The grid management creates meaningful choices, as a strong arrangement turns a fragile craft into a resilient fortress capable of withstanding intense assaults. Supports boost specific weapons when placed correctly, and the variety of bag shapes encourages iterative hull growth across multiple attempts.
Thirty-four weapons and thirty-seven supports, including forged variants, provide extensive customization. The system emphasizes spatial planning over raw power, making each successful layout feel earned through trial and refinement.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players who enjoy strategic grid management combined with wave-based defense and competitive build versus build encounters. The three modes support different preferences: structured progression in campaign, direct competition in ranked, and relaxed experimentation in chill. With thirty Steam achievements and support for eight languages, the game offers clear goals and accessibility for those drawn to indie strategy experiences focused on ship customization and tactical positioning.
