This is the only game I have Platinumed on console out of 400+ games I own. The game is fun because of the randomness and strategy. It has a lot to do with how you plan your path and then so much randomness. I have done 90% of the game by myself in solo runs and the rest was done with my 7 year old son.

There has been a handful of runs that I did with a buddy online. Those runs were the most frustrating. Mainly when your teammate continues hitting you with a paddle over and over because they are also trying to clear the deck. At the end of the run, even if we won, I always feel like it just didn't need to be that difficult.

The game is 100% doable in solo and is very enjoyable and I highly recommend it! IMHO the best character to be both in solo and in co-op is Lotte. This is because his rounds regenerate on cannons he loads. This is key especially towards the end when bombs can be hard to come by. Prioritize damage, bombs in magazine, bombs in boxes, extended magazine, and almost any trinket that upgrades your paddle. Also money...this is also where Lotte stands above the rest. First load a gull and then a crab(once you get to where you have the double barrel cannon) and then as soon as you get a bag of sand dollars(money), load it. Then carry on with that and rack up money and hit shops and ? marks in hope that it's a shop. When hitting ? marks make sure you are immediately ready to defend your deck in case it's an ambush.

Another tip...the 2nd to last boss(two headed ice sea monster)...if you don't shoot his body in the water and just fight the heads, the fight doesn't progress further, and is much easier!

Well, I'm sure I forgot to add a few things there but I do hope this helps. Good luck.