Sea of Stars

 Switch
Sea of Stars Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 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: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Aug 28, 2023
    100
    There's a lot about Sea of Stars that I want to shout from the rooftops about. Were I to do that here, though, I'd be robbing you of the joy of discovering an RPG experience for the ages. I've come across a miniscule number of video games I have the urge to immediately replay after finishing, and almost none that take 20-30 hours to roll credits on. Sea of Stars, though, is a near flawless take on the turn-based RPG. At times it wears its SNES inspirations on its sleeves (and proudly), but it evolves the combat to a level of perfection. Every aspect of the game is fun, or emotional, or tantalizingly brain-teasing, and I haven't been able to put it down even after rolling credits a dozen hours of playtime earlier. You'll smile, laugh, and maybe even cry as you help Valere and Zale complete their mission, but there's one thing for certain: you'll never forget it.
  2. GameCritics
    Oct 12, 2023
    95
    Sea of Stars is an outstanding RPG experience that, for me, has become an instant classic. Story elements, combat, and worldbuilding all feel simultaneously retro-inspired and deeply innovative. I am floored with the creativity, wonder, and life Sabotage Studio poured into their second game, and I cannot wait to see what they have in store for us next. Until then, whether you’ve played hundreds of RPG’s or if this is your first, Sea of Stars is a must-play.
  3. Impulsegamer
    Sep 24, 2023
    94
    Featuring excellently paced turn based combat and a memorable story taking place in a beautiful, interactive world to explore – Sea of Stars is a dream come true for 90’s RPG fans, RPG fans, and fans of great video games.
  4. Nintendo Life
    Aug 28, 2023
    90
    Sea of Stars is a sensational achievement for Sabotage. The studio is two for two in providing impressively designed and genuinely innovative takes on classic genres. Some pacing issues aside, the complex narrative, deep and strategic combat, thoughtful level design, and fantastic visuals and music all combine to make this one of the easiest recommendations we can make. If you consider yourself a fan of old-school RPGs, you must play Sea of Stars. And if not? The execution and polish here are so good that we’d suggest you give it a try anyway. There are few games that would be a better introduction and representation of what makes JRPGs great. Sea of Stars is an instant classic and a new high-water mark for modern retro-styled indies. You really shouldn’t miss out.
  5. Multiplayer.it
    Aug 31, 2023
    90
    The production philosophy of Sea of Stars can be described with a single verb, a single categorical imperative: "to prune". Like a gardener who observes a tree and chooses which branches to cut away, Sabotage Studio has studied the JRPG of the past to preserve the best elements and prune the obsolete ones. Away with the random fights, away with that bulky inventory full of objects never used, away with the obsession for grinding; welcome happy grafts like the ones based on Mario & Luigi system: Superstar Saga, with timing able to keep up the player’s involvement even against basic enemies, an element to be mastered to the best of their ability during fierce battles against bosses. The spectrum of repetition is largely exorcised, but two protagonists of singular flatness and a small range of abilities slightly decrease the quality of the experience, without being able to affect a fun product, magnificent to see, to listen to, to live. There’s no excuse not to try Sea of Stars, available on day one on both Game Pass and PS Plus (and, despite this, 100.000 copies of the game were purchased on launch day). And how sweet it is to be shipwrecked in this sea of stars.
  6. Nintenderos
    Aug 28, 2023
    90
    Sea of Stars is a love letter to classic role-playing games. Its story is quite mature, its artwork and soundtrack are exquisite and its turn-based combat system is very satisfying. Undoubtedly, this is a new indie gem.
  7. Digitally Downloaded
    Aug 28, 2023
    70
    Sea of Stars deserves to be played, and almost everyone who does play it will enjoy it. It’s a JRPG made for JRPG fans by people who truly love the genre. There’s even something admirable about how steadfast it is in being a classical homage. The sad reality is that most pastiches that lack the self-awareness to break free of being pale homages are doomed to fade while the classic works they ape remain eternally relevant, but for now, in 2023, if you’ve got some time to spare you could do far worse than Sea of Stars.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. Lanxgo
    Sep 6, 2023
    10
    O jogo é muito bom! Para quem gosta de RPG de turno, ele trouxe um game tão bom quanto os clássicos que conhecemos, uma gameplay maisO jogo é muito bom! Para quem gosta de RPG de turno, ele trouxe um game tão bom quanto os clássicos que conhecemos, uma gameplay mais inovadora (mas que foi inspirada/copiada de outros jogos) com pescaria, culinária, lutas um pouco mais dinâmicas pois te dão a possibilidade de boostar teu ataque e defender alguns golpes. Estava com saudades de um jogo assim!… Expand
  2. Vdll44
    Aug 31, 2023
    10
    I don’t get people saying the story is bad. It’s a JRPG, there is a great evil, and protagonists shall do everything they can to beat it. LikeI don’t get people saying the story is bad. It’s a JRPG, there is a great evil, and protagonists shall do everything they can to beat it. Like what did you expect ?

    Characters have enough depth for this genre, the wheels minigame is so **** satisfying, combat is amazing and engaging, difficulty is fair but not too easy, (you have a relic that make it both more or less difficult, btw)
    Pixel art is stunning, art direction as well, DYNAMIC LIGHTING is FABULOUS, character design is on point.
    Easy, solid 10/10.
    Thank you Sabotage    … Expand
  4. jadge
    Sep 6, 2023
    10
    Amazing game. Best implementation of action mechanics in a JRPG since Mario & Luigi. Lots to explore, fantastic writing style with a veryAmazing game. Best implementation of action mechanics in a JRPG since Mario & Luigi. Lots to explore, fantastic writing style with a very organic feel, great variety of enemies and attack types… Expand
  5. Corpsedog
    Sep 5, 2023
    10
    Review below.

    Don't BOTHER with the wasteful negative reviews. They are simply not a valid critique but an effort in seething at oneself    Review below.

    Don't BOTHER with the wasteful negative reviews. They are simply not a valid critique but an effort in seething at oneself instead and blaming the game.
    Ordadek, you seriously didn't save your game after FIFTEEN HOURS and you rage in your own review and blame the game for what clearly shows is merely a reflection of your own short sightedness to do the simplest of requirements in any RPG.

    Onto the review:
    INSTANT. CLASSIC.
    This could have easily stood out amongst the SNES-era RPG giants of the time had it released back then and it would also have been a childhood favorite. That being said, it STILL holds its own in 2023. I knew I was right to expect something great when this announced. The way you traverse the world in this game is so satisfying with its buttery smooth transitions into gorgeous animations of jumping, sliding, falling, edging along a cliff, diving into a lake and so on. The game just stays so fun to interact with. Yasunori Mitsuda is still crushing it with music as memorable as Chrono Trigger and the many environments are beautifully scored. The combat system is engaging, letting partners even swap out members in battle without even taking a turn to do so or worse having to switch at a static location and as such feels very fluid and makes use of every character at any time removing the feeling that you aren't utilizing each character. While not so challenging of a game so far, it has its moments and the relic to bump the difficulty will be a welcome addition for veterans or it can be very friendly for newcomers. The story is actually phenomenal and executed beautifully. It is not filled with typical JRPG tropes en masse and even side characters are very entertaining or intriguing. The unfolding plot is as engrossing and as worthy as Chrono Trigger. I mean it. This is a great game that shouldn't be judged too quickly. The characters have adequately entertaining backgrounds and it all seems to work really well while letting the player fill in some of the gaps with imagination as you stroll along and each character has just enough spark to make them endearing along the journey and not overly simple or complex. My favorite area so far has to be the Marsh on Mesa, home to Yomara. Just wow. Beautiful environment and excellent scoring here. Sprawling and very fun to navigate. There are plenty of fun things to do in this game and even more ways to do them. There are so many secrets to discover, Easter eggs, a parrot that helps locate missing treasures in the world and even a very cool minigame called Wheels.

    I can't put this down and I'm already getting a physical copy for my switch when it releases next year. What a solid RPG. This game is truly great. Ignore the negative reviews and immerse yourself in this world and you'll find plenty to love.

    Also below, check out Jirard The Completionist on youtube's very emotional and intimate connection with the history of the game and Sabotage team.

    https://youtu.be/u9mBsmiXR0I?si=VTsJXJ3oDvIYvw8G    … Expand
  6. GamerNerdXl
    Aug 30, 2023
    10
    É o melhor Jrpg da década, nos trazendo ótimas recordações dos antigos grandes jrpgs, Super Mario Rpg, Chrono Trigger, Breath of Fire... É umÉ o melhor Jrpg da década, nos trazendo ótimas recordações dos antigos grandes jrpgs, Super Mario Rpg, Chrono Trigger, Breath of Fire... É um game que nos mostra que mesmo não sendo AAA, as empresas Indie, podem sim, bater de frente com as grandes empresas, que por sinal, não vem trazendo jogos com extrema qualidade igual Sea of Stars!… Expand
  7. sosad
    Sep 6, 2023
    9
    Got my plat, very nice and beautiful RPG with good music. Like brought me back to 90's JRPG. You can feel they have put lots of time to make it.
  8. Odradek
    Sep 4, 2023
    0
    After 15 hours played something "funny" happened. I got killed by some random birds and chose the option "continue" to keep playing. So theAfter 15 hours played something "funny" happened. I got killed by some random birds and chose the option "continue" to keep playing. So the game loaded a file -who knows how -of a past saved game where I had been playing for just 4 hours-ish... Needless to say this means goodbye for me playing this game. Might check the ending on youtube. Thanks for making me waste that time...
    I wanted to end it in order to have a complete opinion. But here goes nothing.
    (Clears throat)
    Nostalgia is a dangerous thing. Specially because it is all about what you understood of an entertainment product when your brain was not fully developed. And there comes the problem of this game. You just need a few hours to noticed how half-baked it is. Sea of Stars shows a colorful and attractive visual style... and that's it. It's OST is extremely overrated,it's combat system is too simple and repetitive and it's dialogues are far from funny or interesting. There's no dramatic weight whatsoever during the story, some characters make decisions completely out of the blue and only to make the story move on artificially. Let alone it has the most obnoxious, irritating, shallow character ever written in all fiction story. I'm serious, the main engine that kept me playing the game was the hope to see this character die alone in pain. Every like spoken by this character was worse than the previous. Just terrible.
    After wasting all these hours my only hope is that somebody reads this and decides not to play this game. Or at least waste their money on it. Thank the gods I played it on Game Pass.
    If you are thinking about checking it out, don't. Go play (or re-play) Chrono Trigger. Revive your own nostalgia. Don't let others try to convince you of their vision of what was cool, or funny, or moving, or epic, or just fun... this game is not.    … Expand

See all 21 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Switch Game of 2023
13
#13 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2023

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