Barotrauma is a 2D survival submarine simulator which can be played either cooperatively or alone, and takes players to the dark depths of an alien planet in order to complete a variety of tasks and ensure the continuation of humanity's future. The game can be a brutally unforgiving experience, particularly for new players. The waters are teeming with threats, and the submarines themselves can be prone to a range of catastrophic errors.
As a result, survival is most certainly not guaranteed, but there are a variety of ways in which players can mitigate the number of times they die. One of these lies in understanding the different crew roles and how they work both together and individually to ensure a functioning and stable submarine at all times.
6 Assistant
Largely intended for newcomers to Barotrauma, the Assistant is not assigned any specific role, and can simply help out as and when needed. This job can grant some degree of freedom as it is tied to any singular responsibility. However, this also makes assistants the most expendable members of the crew, so it is certainly more preferable to specialize in an area than to remain in this class for too long.
5 Mechanic
The Mechanic is primarily tasked with maintenance and fabrication, which can make it one of the most demanding roles in the almost unavoidable event of a crisis. Mechanics can use welding tools with great efficiency at with no risk to themselves, and will also be responsible for fixing any leaks in the piping or hull of the submarine.
They are also chiefly in charge of operating the submarine's fabricator, creating new tools and equipment for the rest of the team to use. By extension, then, it is most likely the Mechanic's responsibility to ensure that the crew is stocked up with raw materials before embarking on a mission, as this will enable them to use the fabricator throughout the mission.
4 Engineer
The Engineer's primary responsibility is to ensure that the submarine and its various components stay running throughout the course of a mission. As more experienced players will know, this is often easier said than done, and engineers can often prove to be the most essential crew members in times of severe crisis.
Charged with critical missions such as operating the reactor and the fixing and maintenance of electric components, the engineer must be well-equipped at all times to deal with a variety of changing circumstances. Like the Mechanic, the engineer will also spend a lot of time using the fabricator to craft the necessary equipment needed to carry out any given task.
3 Security Officer
The Security Officer is chiefly in charge of the defense and order aboard the ship. Typically, they are the only crew members who will be allowed to carry any live firearms aboard the submarine. While this may, at first, seem like a massive advantage over other job-types, it is actually the most dangerous station to occupy in the crew. Any threats either on board or outside the sub will have to be dealt with primarily by the Security Officer, which includes a lot of horrors dwelling at the depths of the sea floor.
This role will oversee the use of any turrets the sub may have installed, as well as replenishing ammunition and fabricating upgraded weapons and armor for the rest of the crew. Be wary, too, when playing this role, that sometimes members of the crew may turn hostile against one another, particularly in online play. It is up to the Security Officer to resolve these disputes for the benefit of everyone else.
2 Medical Doctor
The Medical Doctor is one of the more unique roles that players can take on in Barotrauma. Primarily stationed in their medical bay, players in this role will be charged with overseeing the safety, health, and recovery of all members of the crew, as well as fabricating any new drugs and medicines that may be required throughout the course of a mission.
However, the job is more complex than it may first seem. The trauma inflicted on crewmates can be extremely varied and require a host of differing remedies. In addition, some crew members will also suffer from addiction withdrawals and need to be topped up regularly with supplies of their favorite drugs in order to remain healthy. The Medical Doctor can also conduct research into Genetic Materials, which can often be extracted from the bodies of slain creatures. This can enable the crew to be augmented with further genetic enhancements than they begin with.
1 Captain
The Captain's primary responsibility is the coordination and navigation of the submarine itself. For this reason, the lives of the entire crew rest in the Captain's hands. Crashing the sub can cause a host of severe catastrophes, the likelihood of which will cost more than a couple of the crew's lives. The Captain is also responsible for giving out orders to the rest of the crew, and can do this via a command wheel which can instruct crewmates to fulfill tasks from manning the weaponry to fixing leaks and electrical faults.
The Captain is also charged with the purchase of supplies and is able to access every area of the ship, unlike many other crewmates. Ideally, the Captain would be a veteran player in a cooperative setting, but it can also be a very useful role to play when learning the ropes just in order to understand how many different roles are required in order to survive a Barotrauma excursion.
Barotrauma is out now on PC, Linux, and Mac.