Highwater

About

Highwater drops you into a drowned city where you guide a small crew through flooded streets and treacherous waters. The turn-based combat unfolds in tight isometric grids, blending tactical positioning with resource management as you scavenge supplies and recruit allies. Each decision matters when food is scarce and enemies lurk in the ruins. You steer a boat between islands, balancing exploration with the need to fortify your position before Mars-bound rockets launch. The game’s climate disaster setting feels urgent without leaning into grim tropes. Side characters add texture to the survival core, and the 20 achievements hide rewards for players who dig deep, like the 2.3% who unlocked "Boondoggle" by exploiting a specific combat loophole. With a 76/100 Metacritic score, it’s a lean but polished mix of strategy and story that runs smooth across PC and consoles.

Storyline

Amid the Great Climate Catastrophe, the flooded region of Hightower has become a kind of safe zone between the two dry regions: the nearly global ravaged land of the War Zone, and the fortified city of Alphaville, where the ultra-rich live behind giant walls. With life on Earth becoming untenable for humans, and rumors of an escape to Mars floating around, Nikos begins a perilous journey, picking up friends along the way. First to Hightower, then beyond to cross the impenetrable border of Alphaville, battling insurgents and stealing food along the way. Will Nikos and his friends manage to sneak into the rocket in time