Forget nostalgia , this game ’s just a bloody good RPG .
Sea of Starsis my personal dream secret plan in the making . From awesome music to groundbreaking turn - base combat , it has everything I ’m front for in an RPG . When I first see teasers for it all those months ago , the first affair I did was follow it on societal media . And as a crowdfunded project that ’s been in the works for three years , the wait was nerve - wracking . Luckily , the developer were very persistent and often show a lot of progression on what they ’ve been working on . Now , it ’s finally here .
Does Sea of Stars live up to the hoopla ? Here ’s my honest reassessment .
Gameplay
It ’s usually news report that draws me to a lot of RPGs , but Sea of Stars is one of the few exception . While the story does possess its unique spell , the gameplay is perfectly hook . Sure , the ( lack of ) random encounter should be intimate to those who ’ve played Chrono Trigger , but the car-mechanic are refreshingly distinct .
Sea of Stars is an active turn - based game , but not in the mode you would expect . While most ATB games make role of gauge , turn orders , and even analog movement , Sea of Stars adopts a more straightforward JRPG approaching with two added element .
The first is the absence seizure of a amphetamine stat . You have unadulterated control over turn guild , which permit you to be more flexile about your strategies . The 2nd is the grandness of timing . While it ’s not required , a absolutely - timed button press will get your acquisition to land greater damage , part block attacks , and even upgrade the strength of your heals . I even like to think of the first bit as a unfeigned , skill - based " critical hitting . "
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Thanks to both , the battles were sufficiently challenging and , in turn , rewarding . Even defeating crime syndicate felt like a firmly - make victory .
Score : 5/5 wiz
Story
Sea of Stars say the storey of two Solstice warrior , Zale and Valare , in their noble pursuance to clean the human beings from malevolent force known as the Dwellers . The start is slow , blithesome , and charming — everything you ’d expect from a classical RPG narrative . But as you research the human race and discover more locations , it skilfully cultivate that ever - present impression of being a small part of something much grownup . This common sense of depth remains a ceaseless companion throughout your journey , making for a fascinate narrative experience from showtime to finish . The game was even throw me goose pimple though there was nothing of note occurring . What can I say but to expect the unexpected ?
Score : 4/5 Stars
Character Dynamics
Alone , the dramatis personae of Sea of Stars are n’t not so great — but together , they evolve into true protagonists . At least , that was what I feel . In fact , it feel like developer wanted you to focus on fiber dynamics rather than each of their personal ontogenesis .
For representative , because of their secluded upbringing , Zale and Valere are not so interesting to watch by themselves . However , their clumsiness is cover by the friendly Garl , who initiates most of the interaction between the company and the townsfolk . And while there are characters you ca n’t help oneself but give tending to , it was still more entertaining to watch them act around the others and the world around them .
colligate : How is Sea of Stars and The Messenger Connected ? denotation , DLCs , & more !
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Sound Design
In games where line are n’t voiced , it ’s usually one of two element that prescribe the humour : music or setting . For Sea of Stars , it was doubtless its SNES - inspired , bardcore music .
lightsome dialogue , even in a saturnine area , will sense lighthearted , and serious conversations are appropriately barren of music . Underwater dungeons feel like you ’re underwater because of the music , port towns feel like embrasure Town because of the music — you get the gist . I ’m personally a Brobdingnagian sports fan of the level up screenland ’s OST , where it feels like the stars are twinkling as a testament to my success .
If the music from the house trailer strikes a familiar chord , then it must be because of your familiarity with Yasunori Mitsuda ’s employment . Mitsuda is one of the composer for Chrono Trigger and the Xeno series , and the biz ’s deoxyribonucleic acid is heavily ingrained into Sea of Stars because of this . Of of course , that ’s not to understate the skills of lead composer Eric Brown , who Mitsuda was apparently a bragging fan of .
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Minigames
The amount of love , thought , and passion that went into the minigames can not be minimise . I ca n’t end this reassessment without talking about it . You ’re introduce to two early on : sportfishing and a table game called Wheels .
Now , I bonk the JRPG code mandate that fishing be in the biz — which is , admittedly , an activeness I find verbose in a lot of RPGs … except Sea of Stars . It manages to keep up a level of tingle and difficultness in reeling in catches , and a successful seizure delivers the same feeling of acquisition you get when you win a really sturdy fight .
But the minigame I ’ve , admittedly , pooled a lot of hours into isWheels . There are a ton of rules involve , so I wo n’t get into the detail , but it really has that TCG / tabletop feel fans of the hobby are going to make out . It involves maneuver , a bit of luck , and being the first person to reduce the opposer ’s HP to zero . You do n’t lie with how many time I ’ve switch the AI over after a win . It just feels that good to beat them at this .
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Related:11 Sea of Stars Tips and Tricks for New Players
Verdict: A retro JRPG-inspired game that did everything right
Sea of Stars is more than nostalgia bait ; it ’s a culmination of all the things that make the classics great , like deceivingly challenging bend - base gameplay and beautifully written sexual conquest . Sabotage Studios unquestionably scoop themselves here . They merit all the praise I can give and more . Here ’s to hoping this propels The Messenger , their debut 2018 secret plan , into the glare .
A free copy of the plot was provided to PGG by the publisher for critique purposes .
Thinking of picking up Sea of Stars ? Check outSea of Stars – Release date , platforms , demo , & morehere at Pro Game Guides !
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