Sea of Stars

 PlayStation 5
Sea of Stars Image
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 186 Ratings

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  • Summary: Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG inspired by the classics. A prequel story set in The Messenger's universe, it tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who will combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of fending off the monstrousSea of Stars is a turn-based RPG inspired by the classics. A prequel story set in The Messenger's universe, it tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who will combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of fending off the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer.
    Promising the Sabotage touch in every system, Sea of Stars aims to modernize the classic RPG in terms of turn-based combat, storytelling, exploration and interactions with the environment, while still offering a hearty slice of nostalgia and good old, simple fun.

    Key ingredients :

    * Engaging turn-based combat. Combat gameplay includes active player input during attack animations (timed hits), multi-character combo attacks, boosting, and strategic defense options to hinder enemies while they are channeling powerful attacks or spells. For a more immersive experience, there are no random encounters or transitions to separate battlefields, and no grinding. Both navigation and combat happen in the same environment.
    * Unshackled traversal. Swim, climb, vault, jump off or hoist up ledges as you run through the world with a navigation system based on platformer expertise that breaks free from the classic bound-to-the-grid tile-based movement.
    * Prequel story set in The Messenger's universe. Dozens of original characters and story arcs will take you on a captivating journey. Sometimes epic, sometimes silly, and other times emotional, Sea of Stars does its RPG duty of exploring classic themes of adventure and friendship, while also being chock-full of the unexpected twists and events you've come to expect from a Sabotage production.
    * Full-on dynamic lighting our custom-made render pipeline allows the creation of a breathtaking world coming to life by pushing the limits of 2D pixel-art games.
    * The Sabotage treatment on the turn-based RPG genre. Every system has been deeply analyzed to create an experience that pays respect to retro classics, while reworking some elements in order to offer a modernized experience free of irritants and overly lengthy sequences.    … Expand

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Sea of Stars - Announcement Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 17, 2024
    100
    The game world looks fairy-tale beautiful and at the same time sufficiently adult and dark. The traversal of the world is then supplemented by small environmental puzzles. It's more of a diversion, nothing that would fundamentally break the game and cause one to get stuck on annoying puzzles while playing. The number of secondary activities is not overwhelming, which is very beneficial to the game's pace. [Issue#331]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Player 2
    Aug 28, 2023
    100
    A game that wears its inspirations on its sleeve but then still has something unique to say with a flavour all of its own. Sea Of Stars is a truly unique, and brilliant title that must be experienced.
  3. Digital Chumps
    Aug 28, 2023
    95
    Sea of Stars excels on so many levels. Much of Sabotage Studio’s work is homage to the games the developers and ourselves played as children, living in these vibrant worlds of fantasy and magic. But rather than work to be a carbon copy of the past to remind players of the fun they used to have, care was taken to play with expectations and design around an updated vision of these classics. Few games can feel as nostalgic and modern as this, while becoming a classic in its their right. And Sea of Stars is a classic.
  4. Gamers Heroes
    Aug 28, 2023
    90
    Sea of Stars sets itself apart with its unique look, relaxing vibes, engaging gameplay. Not only is it a great indie RPG, but it also currently sits at the top of my indie GOTY list.
  5. Jeuxvideo.com
    Sep 4, 2023
    85
    Sea of Stars has everything from an excellent tribute to the biggest names in Japanese role-playing games of the 90s. A well-paced story, a cast of characters to which we quickly become attached for their assumed personalities. It manages to do the same amazing job as its role models, thanks to its jaw-dropping art direction and adventure-perfect soundtrack. If the fights are engaging and push the player to think about each confrontation, they tend to lengthen the good dynamics of the title. It is especially by the lack of evolution of gameplay for the characters that the players will be able to find a certain weariness. If Sea of Stars is therefore not as revolutionary as its spiritual masters in their time, it should still have a place of choice on a shelf of your toy library in 2023. It may well establish itself as the independent game of the year if Silksong remains discreet or even claim prices from much fiercer competition. More than a great performance for a UFO from the 90s.
  6. PLAY
    Nov 23, 2023
    80
    While it’s not without its flaws, Sea Of Stars is a tremendous love letter to JRPGs and a huge achievement for a studio as small as Sabotage. [Issue#33, p.80]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Edge Magazine
    Oct 5, 2023
    70
    A fine effort, then, but a new Chrono Trigger it is not - and directly inviting such a comparison only highlights the areas in which it falls short. [Issue#390, p.133]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 59
  3. Negative: 13 out of 59
  1. juankamilomarin
    Aug 30, 2023
    10
    The game is great!!!! The pixel art is superb, music is really nice, the story is engaging, the battle system feels modern but also capturesThe game is great!!!! The pixel art is superb, music is really nice, the story is engaging, the battle system feels modern but also captures the essence of old school games. I highly recommend it to old school RPG enthusiasts… Expand
  2. Vzobel
    Sep 5, 2023
    10
    This is a great homage to everything known as a classic JRPG, while at the same time being something by itself, kudos to the developer.
    Music    This is a great homage to everything known as a classic JRPG, while at the same time being something by itself, kudos to the developer.
    Music is great!
    Combat is very satisfying
    The story goes to so many places, it reminds me of all the classics

    This is a masterpiece!    … Expand
  4. Nikolasleo
    Sep 1, 2023
    10
    I just finished the game, it’s a masterpiece the plot twists and the gameplay are just perfect. I really recommend this game to anyone, youI just finished the game, it’s a masterpiece the plot twists and the gameplay are just perfect. I really recommend this game to anyone, you don’t need to be an rpg fan, to enjoy the game!… Expand
  5. Vegal
    Sep 5, 2023
    9
    En mi opinión es un Excelente juego, hace mucho que un RPG no me divertía tanto, entiendo que para algunos el pixelart no es de lo masEn mi opinión es un Excelente juego, hace mucho que un RPG no me divertía tanto, entiendo que para algunos el pixelart no es de lo mas agradable pero en este caso me sorprendió lo que se puede hacer con este recurso grafico. Respecto a el apartado grafico es muy bueno, su diseño de niveles es muy explorable y entretenido, el combate es genial y dinámico para ser un rpg por turnos. En su música y sonido no destaca demasiado pero está bien, su historia no es nada del otro mundo pero cumple. Algo que me gustó mucho es su desarrollo de personajes ya que solo usando unos textos puedes imaginar su personalidad y motivaciones, si te gustan los rpgs te recomiendo mucho este juego para que revivas una época donde los videojuegos aún te hacían soñar… Expand
  6. DarkxHeero
    Sep 8, 2023
    9
    Jogo incrivel ! a história dos protagonistas principais, eu particularmente acho sem graça, se fossem pessoas normais como o resto da party,Jogo incrivel ! a história dos protagonistas principais, eu particularmente acho sem graça, se fossem pessoas normais como o resto da party, faria muito mais sentido e seria bem melhor.… Expand
  7. mpop
    Sep 6, 2023
    7
    For me I really am not enjoyint the story, but I do want to coment on the combat system. I think the devs have some GREAT ideas on the combatFor me I really am not enjoyint the story, but I do want to coment on the combat system. I think the devs have some GREAT ideas on the combat system. and while I did not enjoy the story, I really hope the devs do another game with a diffent story, and iterate on the combat system, as I feel the combat system has GREAT potental on moving the turn based combat system ideas ahead.… Expand
  8. Playstationsuck
    Sep 11, 2023
    0
    Very poor looking, I have this game on my Xbox and it looks and runs way better PlayStation is a joke

See all 59 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2023
22
#22 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2023