A 2D turn-based adventure game
Sea of Stars is a single-player adventure game developed by Sabotage Studio. In this turn-based RPG, players will be dropped into a world plagued by monsters created by an evil alchemist. They will control two children blessed with mystical powers and put an end to the chaos. This game is available on PC and gaming consoles.
Similar to Octopath Traveler or Chrono Trigger, Sea of Stars boasts of strategic gameplay that requires quick thinking and tactics from players. Inspired by classic titles in the genre, it was also designed with pixel-art graphics and serves as a sort of homage to its predecessors.
Children of the Sun and Moon
Sea of Stars takes place in a mystical world overrun with all kinds of deadly creatures and monstrosities that were summoned by The Fleshmancer, an alchemist. The story follows two Children of the Solstice blessed by the power of the Sun and Moon. Once they combine their gift, they will be able to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of saving the land in this game.
Thus, begins an adventure across the land as you help the Children of the Solstice master their powers and save the world. The game features engaging turn-based combat that lets you perform multi-character combos and a unique lock system to counter enemy movement and attacks. Meet a wide cast of characters, get to know their stories, and go on quests and experience multiple story arcs.
Here, you'll also encounter a variety of platforming challenges throughout your journey that will require unique ways of solving and overcoming them. With secret passageways to discover and sprawling paths to check out, exploration can get confusing—especially if you are not used to traversing linearly designed dungeon layouts. Despite that, the intricate design of the dungeons adds a layer of challenge for the player, making them satisfied to complete.
Adapt and strategize
One of Sea of Stars’ standout features is its turn-based combat system. Instead of relying on traditional random encounters, enemies are visible in the overworld, allowing players to choose when to engage. Once in battle, the combat mechanics demand a mix of timing, strategy, and skill. Players can unleash combo moves and block or counter enemy attacks with well-timed button presses, which adds a layer of interactivity often missing in turn-based games.
Sea of Stars also introduces a unique lock-braking system, where players must carefully target enemies with the right elemental attacks to interrupt powerful moves, adding depth and challenge to battles without overwhelming newcomers. Additionally, to make things more exciting, the developer has unveiled a luck-oriented strategy mini-game called Wheels to serve as a breather from the rigors of combat and exploration.
Created by The Watchmaker, players use two Heroes to reduce their opponent’s crown’s HP to zero, with the slot machine — to some extent — influencing the tide of the match. Still, it all boils down to your flexibility and strategic thinking skills. This tavern-only game includes two modes: Casual and Champion. The former is easier, helping beginners get acquainted with mechanics. The latter — on the other hand — grants players rewards for beating the local champion, though they are only obtainable once.
The Dawn of Equinox update
In Sea of Stars’ recent update, the Dawn of Equinox, one of the major additions is the full local co-op mode, allowing up to three players to engage in the story together. This mode includes a new "Co-op Timed Hits" combat feature, bringing added strategy and timing coordination for players exploring together. Combat has been upgraded as well with the introduction of “Mystery Locks,” which require players to unlock specific abilities of enemies on their first encounter with each type.
This reworked system also ensures that Combo Points now carry over between battles, giving players more flexibility and tactical options across encounters. The prologue has been redesigned too, removing the flashback structure. Players now start directly with the main characters’ childhoods, immersing them in the narrative and early combat experiences from the outset. Meanwhile, an additional cutscene, titled "Paths on Water," has been introduced to enhance a pivotal story moment. This cinematic addition is designed to deepen player engagement in the plot.
Furthermore, for competitive players, the new Speed Runner Mode relic includes features specifically tailored for efficient gameplay. Additionally, three preset difficulty levels have been introduced, with new relics aimed at adjusting both the challenge level and ease-of-use features, catering to different player preferences. Even the secret-tracking parrot relic now has improved functionality to assist players in locating overlooked items and challenges. However, while the game features a nostalgic RPG storyline, some players may feel that character development doesn’t reach the depth expected in modern RPGs.
An intriguing homage to the classics
If you grew up playing turn-based RPGs back in the day and want to have a similar experience today, Sea of Stars will do a good job of satisfying that need for nostalgia. It looks great and has an intriguing story with equally interesting gameplay. It’s a love letter to the RPG genre that is as heartfelt as it is innovative, proving that some of the most powerful stories are the ones told through pixels and turn-based battles.
